Unit Outline

This unit focuses on the critical components of animal management for profitability and sustainability of ruminant production systems. Topics will include animal health, welfare, fertility, genetics, feed budgeting and pasture management. You will investigate the main factors affecting ruminant health and the strategies available to prevent and manage such conditions. You will explore how animal ethics and welfare need to be incorporated into farm planning. The unit will provide examples of how farmers improve ruminant reproductive performance, irrespective of their farming system and how they make informed decisions around breeding and grazing management.

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	Describe and evaluate the relationship between profitability and herd and pasture management
2	Interpret and communicate techniques for measuring pasture quantity and quality and developing feed budgets.
3	Analyse and explain the impact of herd and pasture management practices on herd productivity
4	Reflect on and apply animal health and welfare concepts for sustainable ruminant production systems
5	Evaluate and communicate practice-based decisions for herd and pasture management

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	ZAB209 ZAB210

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To Be Determined.

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: Herd and Pasture Management Workbook	Week 6	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	AT2: Livestock Management Plan	Week 10	50 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	AT3: Presentation	Week 14	25 %	LO3, LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: AT1: Herd and Pasture Management Workbook

Task Description:

In this assessment you will complete the provided workbook that covers some of the fundamental principles of pasture production and ruminant livestock production including plant and animal nutrition and feed budgeting. Discussion points and questions will require you to show understanding, analysis and evaluation of key concepts.

Task Length:

Minimum 500 words

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluate and analyse the issues of livestock and pasture production profitability versus sustainability	LO1
2	Evaluate and analyse pasture measuring techniques for developing feed budgets	LO2
3	Communicate ideas and information	LO5
4	Identify and evaluate the impact of different herd and pasture management practices	LO3

Assessment Task 2: AT2: Livestock Management Plan

Task Description:

You will develop a 12-month livestock management plan for your selected ruminant production system, including a description of the process used to develop the plan. The plan will include:
• Description of your ruminant production system.
• Analysis of and timeline for feed requirement for desired output (i.e. seasonal and growth stage implications)
• Sources of feed (i.e. access, availability, quantity and quality)
• Techniques used to measure feed quantity and quality and developing feed budgets
• Gantt chart of production
Other items to include will be discussed through tutorials, field trips and workshops

Task Length:

2500 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

50 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe and evaluate the relationship between management decisions and profitability in dynamic situations	LO1
2	Analyse the relationship between management and productivity	LO3
3	Use evidence to evaluate techniques and formulations when developing feed budgets	LO2
4	Identify, describe and apply relevant animal health and welfare concepts for a sustainable production system	LO4
5	Communicates ideas and information of management in practice	LO5

Assessment Task 3: AT3: Presentation

Task Description:

Using the same ruminant production system from assessment task 2 you will prepare and narrate a PowerPoint presentation or video that discusses the animal health and welfare, ethics and biosecurity considerations of your selected ruminant production system. You will also discuss the animal behaviour and handling factors relevant to your chosen system.

Task Length:

10 minutes

Due Date:

Week 14

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Evaluate management of animal health and welfare issues in practice	LO4
2	Evaluate the relationship between herd productivity and management	LO3
3	Communicates ideas and information	LO5

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.