791-035 Pastures, Fodder Crops & Seed Production

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Biology III.

Corequisites

One management elective of either Beef, Sheep, or Dairy.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The objective of this subject is to enable students to:

• understand and explain the relationship between environmental and biological variables, management practices and optimum pasture production;

• develop practical skills in assessing pasture availability and quality and the efficiency of management strategies;

• communicate effectively about pasture production.

The content includes: Types of pastures in relation to climate, the pasture ecosystem, evaluation of pasture as fodder for grazing animals. The plant component in relation to environment characteristics of major species and cultivars, growth and regrowth after defoliation. Limitations to Utilisation of Pasture Land- Plant disease as interaction of host, pathogen and environment, weed invasions and control in terms of ecological principles, sub clover decline. Improving Utilisation Prospects - Alternative species and cultivars, plant breeding, topical issues. All topics will be treated within the framework of the ecosystem approach.

Assessment

Assignment of 1000 words (20%); practical reports (40%); two hour examination (40%).