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PSC360 Pastures and Rangelands

This subject gives students the opportunity to understand the role and function of pasture and rangeland production systems relevant to agriculture and the equine industry in southern Australia. In addition, it will introduce students to key concepts in plant ecology as related to pasture systems.

Subject Outlines

The subject is presented in a way that will encourage students to conduct experiments, use decision support systems, develop presentation skills, and be able to relate to on-farm management issues.

Availability

• Session 2 (60)
• On Campus: Wagga Wagga Campus
• Online: Wagga Wagga Campus

Subject Information

Grading System

• HD/FL

Duration

• One session

School

• School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

• Cannot be taken by students who have completed PSC240 or PSC460

Subject Relationships

• PSC460 Subject was replaced by PSC360

Incompatible Subjects

• PSC460

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• understand the role of pastures in current farming systems in southern Australia, including horse properties from biological, economic, and social perspectives
• explain the role of climatic, edaphic, and management factors that influence the distribution of pasture species
• explain critical events in the lifecycles of key annual and perennial pasture and rangeland species
• explain basic concepts in plant ecology as related to pasture and rangeland management such as inter and intraspecific competition, plant populations dynamics, and the role of stress and disturbance
• for specific environments, be able to recommend pasture species mixtures and appropriate establishment methodologies
• understand basic concepts relating to the nutritive value of pastures for grazing livestock
• understand the effects of stocking rate and grazing management systems on species survival and pasture/animal production
• explain the principles that underpin supplementary forage production and the response of grazing animals to supplementation with conserved fodder, forage crops, and grain
• monitor and evaluate pasture/livestock systems with respect to productivity, profitability, and sustainability
• develop pasture maintenance strategies with respect to soil fertility, weed management, control of pasture pests, and supplementary irrigation
• describe the dominant features of rangeland resources and define critical factors in their management
• identify major pasture and rangeland species
• develop skills in the estimation of pasture biomass and botanical composition
• demonstrate an in-depth understanding of a topical issue in pasture and/or rangeland management

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

• Pastures and farming systems
• distribution of pasture species and types
• ecology of pasture species
• competition and success in mixed communities
• pasture establishment
• nutritive value of pasture species
• stocking rate and grazing management
• fodder conservation and supplementation
• pasture maintenance
• decision support systems and pasture management
• rangeland management
• practical exercises on the recognition of pasture components including seed, vegetative, and reproductive stages

Residential School

This subject contains a 3-day Compulsory Residential School to give hands-on teaching of pastures and rangelands, including farm visits and examination of pastures.