208-115 Production Systems II

208-113 Production Systems I.

This subject will follow on from Production Systems I in providing students with a range of knowledge, practical experiences and observations. On completion of this subject, students should have gained a practical understanding of the management operations and options of winter and spring 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 farm safety (Environmental Health and Safety), lifting procedures, chemical safety; operation, maintenance and calibration of machinery; livestock feeding and handling; farm physical recording, integrating activity planning around a number of farm enterprises; fencing; costing of farm and management projects; chainsaw use and safety; basic concreting, welding systems and safety.

A 3-hour written examination (60%), and weekly assessment of practical performance (40%, equal weighting for participation, skills aptitude, and safety appreciation). In addition, students will be required to successfully complete: a tractor safety and driving test; first aid; EH&S; and farm chemicals user courses.