212-433 Resource Management & Agricultural Systems Analysis

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Objectives:

On completion of this course, students should: be able to integrate and apply knowledge learned from courses in the soil, plant, animal and agricultural economics disciplines to the solution of practical problems in the management of renewable resources used in agriculture, or in the management of agricultural production systems; have a formal understanding of concepts of systems analysis and be skilled in the use of some of the tools applied to systems and resource management, including social benefit cost analysis, land capability analysis, geographic information systems (GIS) and decision support systems (DSS); be skilled in problem identification, analysis and solving; and have exposure to the demands required of professionals in agribusiness or resource management careers when meeting client needs in the course of their work.

Content:

This course will be taught principally using a 'learning by doing' approach where students undertake practical projects, supplemented by formal lectures. Students will be required to complete two 'mini-consultancy' projects, one in each half of the semester. The first will be completed in small groups, the second will be conducted as an individual project. The case studies will be identified in advance and will involve solving problems drawn from dairying, cropping and sheep production systems which relate to some aspect of management of the production system, or some aspect of the conservation or enhancement of soil, water or vegetation resources associated with agriculture. Students will be required to identify a biological or biophysical issue or problem, analyse the issue/problem by drawing on material learned from previous courses and adding information gathered from the literature and recommend solutions or strategies for dealing with the problem. The strategies and solutions provided must recognise the consequences for whole-system functioning and address the economic and (where applicable) social outcomes of the proposed solution. The emphasis will be firstly on getting the biological/biophysical parts of the question thoroughly worked out and secondly, on using management analysis to assess feasible options. Projects may be identified in collaboration with extension and research staff from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment (Agriculture Victoria), private consultants and farmers. These collaborators will be available, along with Faculty staff, as a source of information during the project. The use of systems analysis tools (e.g. DSS) will be encouraged and supported where appropriate. Projects will begin with a field visit where the case study will be outlined and end with an oral presentation of findings and recommendations by students to the stakeholders in each project (DNRE staff, farmers, etc.). Formal lectures will deal with systems concepts, systems analysis tools and methods and issues associated with the sustainable management of agricultural land in Australia.

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