208-113 Production Systems I

On completion of this subject, students should have gained a practical understanding of the management operations and options of summer and autumn components of the production cycle of the main agricultural industries of south-eastern Australia, and be conversant with the limitations, constraints and impacts which influence these. Topics covered include:

• history and development of Australian agriculture;

• annual production cycle;

• sustainability of these industries from economic, social, environmental and system-wide perspectives;

• introduction to and practice of the basic farm operational skills as they apply to the various agricultural enterprises and protected areas, including broadacre, dairy, production horticulture and pigs, and areas of conservation significance; and

• the place of agriculture in rural communities and factors affecting sustainability.

Group learning activities relating to enterprise practices will cover critical selection criteria (performance and efficiency measurements of harvesters, trucks, tractors, sprayers, tillage and sowing equipment, and timeliness costs) and machinery operations (cultivating, distributing, harvesting, handling, processing and storage).

A 3-hour written examination (60%), and weekly assessment of practical performance (40%, equal weighting for participation, skills aptitude, and safety appreciation).