208-203 Ecology & Management of Grazing Systems

202-201 Plant Function

On completion of this subject, students should:

• understand the basic ecology and agronomy of pasture communities and the factors that influence yield of a grazed pasture;

• know the principles underlying efficient pasture and grazing management, and the practices required for sustainable production from grazing systems;

• appreciate the importance of seasonality in pasture production, and its consequences for the management of grazing systems;

• have experience in using the practical tools and skills required for the efficient management of grazing systems; and

• be able to solve problems in the management of grazing systems.

The subject will include:

• analysis of Australia's pasture and grassland resources;

• pasture plant form and function, including basic plant growth processes;

• the population biology of pasture plants, including the growth cycles of annual and perennial plants, and pathways of plant survival;

• the major pasture plant species and pasture types, their agronomic and adaptive characteristics and management requirements;

• interactions between plants and their environment, and between plants and animals and their effects on the productivity and botanical composition of pastures;

• the feeding and nutritive value of pastures and factors affecting animal intake;

• pasture improvement principles and practices;

• matching feed supply and demand for efficient animal production including the use of feed-planning tools;

• the principles and practices of grazing management; and

• optimising pasture production and utilisation in seasonal production systems.

Three-hour examination (50%), three assignments completed using interactive multimedia (totalling 40%), and practical assignments (totalling 10%).