208-154 Production Systems and Skills II

Skills topics include farm safety (OH&S), lifting procedures, farm chemical safety, safe operation of farm machinery, routine machine maintenance, machinery calibration, livestock feeding, livestock handling, basic livestock requirements, farm physical recording, integrating activity planning around a number of farm enterprises, types of fencing, costing of farm projects, chainsaw use and safety, basic concreting, introduction to welding systems and safety.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• develop an understanding of the production and performance objectives of agricultural and horticultural enterprises;

• apply tactical planning and decision making in farm management;

• apply quality assurance programs;

• apply enterprise and whole farm analysis, use of benchmarks and historical records in performance analysis; and

• recognise and demonstrate appreciation of farm safety practices and procedures.

One 2.5-hour written examination (40%), two 3000-word assignments (30% each).