AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY

AGR1AST

2020

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

This core subject introduces students to a range of Australian agricultural production systems and associated technologies, including aquaculture, viticulture, horticulture, cropping and livestock systems. Students will develop knowledge of key concepts of each industry, from production-cycle, agribusiness and agro-ecological perspectives. Contemporary issues facing Australian agricultural systems will be explored, including production limitations, market challenges, environmental sustainability, and issues of social license. Students will develop practical agricultural skills that are generic and /or specific to a particular enterprise depending on the students' primary interests. Skills in the safe operation of a range of agricultural equipment will be acquired and all occupational health and safety requirements will be canvassed.

School: Life Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Penelope Smith

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: No

Subject year level: Year Level 1 - UG

Exchange Students: No

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites: Admission into SBATE or requires subject coordinator approval

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: N/A

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Learning resources

Australian grain production a snapshot

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Aegic

Year: 2016

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: AEGIC

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: https://www.aegic.org.au/australian-grain-production-a-snapshot/, last viewed 6/11/2019

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Regulation of Australian Agriculture

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Productivity Commission

Year: 2016

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/agriculture/report/agriculture-overview.pdf

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

On borrowed time: Australia's environmental crisis and what we must do about it

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Lindenmayer, D

Year: 2007

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: PENGUIN BOOKS, CAMBERWELL, VICTORIA

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Snapshot of Australian Agriculture

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Jackson, Zammit and Hatfield-Dodds

Year: 2018

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: ABARES

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/Documents/snapshot-australian-agriculture.pdf

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

State of the Climate

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: CSIRO and BOM

Year: 2018

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: https://www.csiro.au/en/Showcase/state-of-the-climate

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

The red meat industry

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: MLA

Year: 2019

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: MEAT AND LIVESTOCK AUSTRALIA

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: https://www.csiro.au/en/Showcase/state-of-the-climate

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

New technologies in aquaculture: Improving proaquaculture: Improving production efficiency, quality and environmental managementduction efficiency, quality and environmental management

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Burnell, G & Allan G

Year: 2009

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: CRC PRESS, WOODHEAD PUBLISHING LIMIPUBLISHING LIMITED,TED

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Code of Ethics and Accompanying Guidelines

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Ag Institute of Australia (AIA)

Year: 2018

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: AG INSTITUTE AUSTRALIA

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: http://www.aginstitute.com.au/data/Company_Documents/AIA_Revised_Code_of_Ethics_Approved_April_2018.pdf

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Farm business

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Nuthall,P

Year: 2011

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: CABI, WALLINGFORD

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

The Farming Game: agricultural management and marketing

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Malcolm, B, Makeham, J & Wright, V

Year: 2005

Edition/Volume: 2ND EDN

Publisher: CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Recirculating aquaculture systems

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Timmons, M & Eberling, B

Year: 2007

Edition/Volume: 3RD EDN

Publisher: CAYUGA AQUA VENTURES, NRAR

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Top ten issues affecting Australian agriculture

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Burns

Year: 2017

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: THE LAND

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: https://www.theland.com.au/story/4801143/top-ten-issues-affecting-australian-agriculture/

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Australian agriculture: its history and challenges

Resource Type: Book

Resource Requirement: Recommended

Author: Hensell, T

Year: 2007

Edition/Volume: N/A

Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING, COLLINGWOOD, VICTORIA

ISBN: N/A

Chapter/article title: N/A

Chapter/issue: N/A

URL: N/A

Other description: N/A

Source location: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing

COMMUNICATION - Cultural Intelligence and Global Perspective

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Describe contemporary issues facing Australian agricultural systems, including production limitations, market challenges, environmental sustainability, and issues of social license..

02. Describe and explain a range of Australian agricultural production systems, including aquaculture, viticulture, horticulture, cropping and livestock systems, from production cycle, agribusiness and agro-ecological perspectives.

03. Identify and demonstrate use of ethics and professional codes of conduct within the Australian agricultural sector.

04. Demonstrate the safe operation of a range of equipment used in the agricultural enterprise, observing all occupational health and safety requirements with an awareness of environmental and ethical issues

Epping (Melbourne Polytechnic), 2020, Semester 1, Blended

Overview

Online enrolment: Yes

Maximum enrolment size: N/A

Enrolment information: N/A

Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Penelope Smith

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Five 2.00 hours lecture per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
Flipped classroom delivery mode. Students have access to both recorded lectures and lecture handouts

PracticalWeek: 10 - 22
Five 6.00 hours practical per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
Five 2.50 hours tutorial per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Students can attend either face- to-face tutorials, on-line tutorial classes or access recorded tutorials

TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
Five 2.50 hours tutorial per study period on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
Students can attend either face- to-face tutorials, on-line tutorial classes, or access recorded tutorials

Assessments

Assessment element	Comments	Category	Contribution	Hurdle	%	ILO*
Practical exam at farm, vineyard, winery or at aquaculture centre (1hr 45min equiv to 1800 words). 5 days (x 6 hours) of practical skills training. Practical assessment at the completion of each short course	N/A	Practical demonstration	Individual	No	40	SILO4
Theory short quizzes (5 x 20 minutes) (1800 words equivalent). Multiple choice and short answer online quizzes (5 x 20 minutes). Includes content on cultural influences on international agricultural markets	N/A	Quizzes	Individual	No	40	SILO1, SILO2, SILO3
Podcast (oral) on contemporary issue/ challenge (10 minutes, 450 word equivalent). Posted oral podcast (10 minutes), discussing a topical issue or challenge	N/A	Oral presentation	Individual	No	10	SILO1
Written essay on ethics and codes of professional conduct (450 word equivalent). Written assessment (500 words) on professional codes of conduct also requires proper referencing	N/A	Other	Individual	No	10	SILO3