Program Overview

Introduction to PSC236 Pasture Production and Utilisation

PSC236 Pasture Production and Utilisation is a subject that focuses on the management and utilisation of pastures across a range of ecosystems. The subject identifies, describes, analyses, and integrates the various components to develop an annual supply of forage. It matches the suitability and utilisation of pastures to animal needs, nutrition, and health.

Subject Outlines

The subject outlines the key components of pasture production and utilisation, including grazing management systems and fodder conservation. It investigates and assesses these systems for livestock and pasture systems. A series of activities are designed to develop the ability to apply a range of skills in a practical situation.

Assumed Knowledge

It is assumed that students have basic knowledge of plant science equivalent to that taught in AGR156 Plants in Agriculture and AHT101 Professional Skills in Ag & Hort. This knowledge should include aspects related to pasture mixtures, pasture establishment, climate, and weather.

Availability

The subject is available in Session 2, with 60 students on campus at CY O'Connor - Muresk Institute.

Subject Information

Grading System

The grading system for this subject is HD/FL.

Duration

The duration of the subject is one session.

School

The subject is offered by the School of Agricultural and Wine Sciences.

Assumed Knowledge

It is assumed that students have gained basic knowledge of plant science, including aspects related to pasture mixtures and pasture establishment, and climate and weather, prior to enrolling in this subject.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:

• Discuss the impact of pasture systems on agricultural landscapes under favourable and adverse conditions
• Identify, analyse, and manage the factors that constitute and influence pasture supply
• Outline the factors that influence the nutritional demand of grazing animals to meet defined production outcomes
• Determine and analyse patterns of supply for various pastures and forage crops across a range of agro-ecosystems
• Outline the methods of harvesting pasture, including grazing management systems, and evaluate their impact
• Describe the manufacture and storage of fodder conservation
• Identify and describe the economic and biological implications of plant and animal interactions
• Develop management plans that match pasture production to livestock demand throughout the year
• Visually assess a pasture and determine its suitability for livestock needs in a competent manner

Syllabus

The subject covers the following topics:

• Management of soil characteristics on pasture production
• Dryland salinity
• Pasture nutrition
• Pasture supply and assessment
• Livestock nutritional demands
• Livestock production targeting
• Forage crops
• Matching forage supply to livestock demand including tactical feed budgeting
• 'Feed Year' concept
• Weed, pest, and disease management in pastures
• Pasture harvesting and grazing management systems (including grazing behaviour)
• Pastures in cropping systems
• Health issues from livestock/plant interactions
• Manufacture and storage of fodder conservation
• Pasture management under adverse conditions

Residential School

The subject contains a 3-day compulsory residential school, which focuses on the objective of visually assessing a pasture and determining its suitability for livestock in a competent manner. The residential school applies theory, requiring one-on-one tuition in a paddock to integrate pasture height and density. Plant material is cut and dried to provide rapid feedback to students. The visual assessment of pastures (quantity and quality) cannot be successfully presented and assessed by another method. The objective is assessed at the residential school.