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Ecology & Management of Grazing Systems (AGRI30029)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
Pastures and grasslands comprise the dominant vegetation cover across the Australian continent. The way pastures and grasslands are managed is therefore central to the sustainable use of natural resources such as soil and water, as well as the economic development of the pasture-based livestock industries (meat and wool sheep, beef cattle, and dairy).
This subject will include:
- An overview of Australia's pasture and grassland resources
- The population biology of pasture plants, including the growth cycles of annual and perennial plants, and pathways of plant survival
- The major pasture plant species and pasture types, their agronomic and adaptive characteristics and management requirements
- Pasture improvement principles and practices
- Plant and pasture growth processes influencing the accumulation of yield in pastures, and implications for management
- The feeding and nutritive value of pastures and factors affecting animal intake
- The principles and practices of grazing management
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will:
- Understand the basic ecology and agronomy of pasture and grassland communities and the factors that influence yield of a grazed pasture
- Know the principles underlying efficient pasture and grazing management, and the practices required for sustainable production from grazing systems
- Appreciate the importance of seasonality in pasture production, and its consequences for the management of grazing systems
- Have experience in using the practical tools and skills required for the efficient management of grazing systems
- Be able to solve problems in the management of grazing systems
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed their:
- Problem solving and analytical skills
- Capacity to tackle unfamiliar problems
- Ability to think systemically and integrate knowledge from different disciplines
- Communication skills, through written and oral presentations
- Quantitative analysis skills
- Sense of intellectual curiosity
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOL10004 | Biology of Cells and Organisms | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
EVSC20002 | Soil and Water Resources | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AGRI20026 | Plant Growth Processes | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- Four equally-weighted assignments (500 words each) due in Week 5, Week 9 and Week 10 (40%)
- Practical worksheets equivalent to a combined total of 500 words completed in weeks 2, 4, 6 and 8 of Semester 2 (total of 10%)
- 2-hour end-of-semester examination (50%)
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Brendan Cullen Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 59 hours comprised of 22 hours of lectures, 27 hours practical sessions and one 10-hour field trip Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017 Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017 Census date 31 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2017 Assessment period ends 17 November 2017 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated total time commitment (including non-contact time): 170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Sustainable Production Major Production Animal Health Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG. Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Agricultural Science Major Animal Science and Management - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 11 April 2024