Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To encourage students to develop detailed understanding of factors affecting the efficiency of utilisation of fresh and conserved forages by ruminant livestock through a pragmatic, applied learning milieu in which candidates are presented with scenario-based issues facing the forage manager and are required to use prior learning and recent research to develop strategies for utilisation improvement

Outline Of Syllabus

•       The interaction between forage production, grazing systems and utilization.
o       Factors affecting the efficiency of grazing: forage availability, forage quality, grazing behaviour,
practical grazing systems.
•       Use of supplements at grass and conserved feeds.
•       Clamp and Bale Silage; Hay.
o       Forage conservation improvement including additives
o       Mechanical and physical treatment of forages
o       Reduction of losses in field and in store
•       Factors affecting silage utilisation; uptake and animal performance intake;
•       forage DM composition & quality – forage analysis interpretation
•       Alternative forages; straw, whole-crop cereals, brassicas.
•       Maize agronomy, production and margins
•       Allocation of forage costs and forage gross margin distribution (to include grass and alternative
forage)

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module, candidates will be able to
1.       Assess the efficiency of utilisation of grazed forage,
2.       Understand the requirement for feed supplements
3.       Assess the efficiency of production and utilisation of conserved forage
4.       Examine and explain measures of forage quality
5.       Offer appropriate advice on the use of alternative forages
6.       Interpret and utilise government incentives
7.       Analyse and compare associated production costs

Intended Skill Outcomes

At the end of the module students will have acquired skills in
1.       Gathering field information and application of knowledge to produce a consultancy report.
2.       Interpretation of silage analysis

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures are aimed at developing knowledge outcomes 1 to 7 and skills outcome 2, these will involve formal teaching, discussion and interactive seminar sessions; each seminar will involve the development of applied skills in the resolution of problems encountered in forage management, these will require the candidates identify problem, recent associated research and identify appropriate recommendations.

The study visit will enable students to achieve skills outcome 2

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The consultancy report will require the candidate has a current applied understanding of recent research developments to be able to apply that knowledge in a consultancy capacity. This synoptic assessment is designed to require candidates to demonstrate skills in analysis, synthesis and knowledge transfer presentation; having visited a host farm they will utilise their learning from this and previous stage 1 & 2 modules to produce a report that advises the host on appropriate strategies to improve forage utilisation.

Each candidate will also have an assessed discussion of strategies that were considered and dismissed and opportunity to explain the justification of the approaches that are included.

General Notes

Expected additional Costs:

1 Field trip to Nafferton Farm Estimate £400

1 Field trip to host farm for assessment visit Estmate £400