Unit Outline

In this unit you will explore the risks and challenges of pests, weeds and diseases in primary production, in terms of the relative impact on productivity, profitability and market access. You will also investigate various on-farm control methods that are used within an Integrated Pest Management framework to manage those risks. You will be provided with on-farm scenarios to investigate potential solutions for issues considering holistic approaches and sustainability.

This unit also incorporates learning through practice by exposing you to authentic learning experiences. These experiences are placed at the centre of learning and assessment, so you have the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to respond to industry, community and/or global needs.

You will be introduced to:

- a range of methods, tools, techniques and approaches to practice in relation to weeds, pests and diseases.

- ways of understanding problems and developing solutions through range of active learning experiences.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Identify and describe the effect of weeds, pests and diseases on farm productivity and profitability
2.	Evaluate strategies to manage weeds, pests and diseases in dynamic practice situations
3.	Reflect on and communicate practitioner skills, knowledge and attributes required to implement management strategies
4.	Describe market impacts created by weed, pest and disease issues in food and fibre production

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	ZAB211 ZAB231

Alterations as a result of student feedback

Word counts for Assessment Task 1 and Assessment Task 2 have been adjusted based on student feedback.

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	AT1: Workbook	Week 5	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	AT2: Integrated Pest Management Plan	Week 10	45 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	AT3: Poster	Week 14	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: AT1: Workbook

Task Description:

You will complete a workbook that covers the first 3 weeks of content. The workbook will include questions related to agronomic concepts of managing weeds pests and diseases, and provide you a baseline of knowledge for undertaking further assignments in this unit.

Task Length:

1200- 1800 words (Maximum 1800 words)

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Analyse the issues of weeds and pests with respect to productivity and profitability	LO1
2	Evaluate the application of disease management strategies in crop and pasture production	LO2
3	Communicate ideas and information	LO3

Assessment Task 2: AT2: Integrated Pest Management Plan

Task Description:

You will select a crop, pasture or horticultural production system (real or hypothetical) and assume the role of a consultant or advisor. You will develop a weed, pest and disease management strategy for important weeds, pests and or diseases that are impacting (or have the potential to impact) the selected enterprise.

The report will include management innovations and the consequences of mismanagement on potential markets.

Task Length:

Approximately 1500 to 2000 words (Maximum of 2500) Eight (8) to ten (10) pages including images, graphs and tables

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

45 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe weeds, pests and diseases and their effect on agricultural production systems	LO1
2	Evaluate management strategies to manage weeds, pests and diseases in an agricultural production system.	LO2
3	Describe potential and real market impacts of agricultural weeds, pests and diseases.	LO4
4	Communicate ideas and information.	LO3

Assessment Task 3: AT3: Poster

Task Description:

You will choose one scenario from provided scenarios related to a weed, pest or disease issue in an agricultural production system.

You will prepare and submit a poster that communicates succinctly and clearly information regarding:
• What the weed, pest or disease is and its effects on that agricultural production system.
• Important key messages and information regarding management strategies for that weed, pest or disease.
• Potential market impacts of that weed, pest or disease

Task Length:

Suitable to display at AO size (841 mm x 1188 mm)

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe the on-farm productivity and profitability effect of weeds, pests or diseases.	LO1
2	Evaluate strategies to manage weeds, pests or diseases in agriculture.	LO2
3	Communicate skills and knowledge required to manage weeds, pests or diseases in an agricultural production system.	LO3
4	Describe the consequences of agricultural weeds, pests or diseases on markets.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.