Course coordinator
Please contact me by email (shane.campbell@uq.edu.au) if you would like to make an appointment to see me.
Advanced coverage of important topics in tropical & subtropical pasture science including pasture plant improvement, pasture plant adaptation, yield & ecology of sown pastures, carrying capacity, pasture sampling, role of pastures & fodder crops in sustainable agriculture & livestock production, environmental issues. Practicals & field trips.
Evidence of immunity to Q fever is mandatory for the In Person offering of this course. Refer to UQ Student Immunisation Requirements for more information.
The principal objective of Pasture Science and Management is to give students an appreciation and understanding of the important topics in tropical pasture science. The course focuses on the significance of improved pasture to the grazing industry, and the science of sown tropical pasture production. Topics covered include the value of improved pastures to the economy and environment; pasture plant improvement; pasture sampling; pasture yield,ᅠecology and carrying capacity under grazing; horses and pastures; pasture establishment, role of pastures and livestock in sustainable agriculture; and current issues such as pasture dieback.ᅠ
High School or First Year University Biology,ᅠinterest in pastures and animal production through previous coursework or experience.
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
AGRC7051
In Person offering restricted to students who meet mandatory immunisation requirements.
Please contact me by email (shane.campbell@uq.edu.au) if you would like to make an appointment to see me.
Students, please note that you should refer to the Learning Activities summary in this course profile which outlines your course of study for this semester.
The timetable for lectures will be placed on the Blackboard site.ᅠLectures in PowerPoint will also be placed on the Blackboard site for the benefit of all students.
Assessment should be submitted through the online Blackboard site via Turnitin.
In Semester 2 2024,ᅠlectures will be runᅠon campus. All lectures will be recorded and loaded on the Blackboard site.
There are two public holidays in semester two - 12/08/2024ᅠEKKA public holiday for Gatton and 7/10/2023ᅠKing's Birthday publicᅠholiday.
The principal purpose of Pasture Science & Management is to give students an appreciation and understanding of the important topics in pasture science. The course focuses on the significance and science of sown tropical pasture production for animal production and the environment. The course is especially relevant to animal science students interested in ruminant production as pastures are the major feed base and production system for ruminants. It is also designed to be beneficial to those undertaking equine science, acknowledging that pastures are utilised extensively to feed horses in a range of situations.
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Select suitable pastures species for livestock production based on prevailing climatic conditions, soil types and livestock requirements.
LO2.
Identify factors affecting yield and ecology of sown pastures under grazing
LO3.
Competently sample and monitor pasture, and estimate pasture growth and carrying capacity
LO4.
Explain the role of pastures in sustainable livestock production and in crop-livestock systems
LO5.
Explain topical issues in pastures such as pasture dieback
Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
---|---|---|---|
Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Sequential Assessment - Theme question 1
|
10% |
16/08/2024 2:00 pm |
Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Sequential Assessment - Theme question 2
|
10% |
13/09/2024 2:00 pm |
Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Sampling assignment
|
25% |
4/10/2024 2:00 pm |
Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Sequential Assessment - Theme question 3
|
10% |
25/10/2024 2:00 pm |
Examination |
Final Exam
|
45% |
End of Semester Exam Period 2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
16/08/2024 2:00 pm
2024 AGRC3006 Theme Questions
Use lecture materials, readings and additional sources of information to answer this theme question. Word length should not exceed 800 words exclusive of references. You must reference all sources in text and provide a reference list (recommend using APA 7th referencing style) at the end of your assignment. No marks will be given for copied materials.
Theme question 1 - due 16 August 2024
The introduction of improved pastures has been critical to improving the productivity of the northern Australian beef industry. One of the first improved pasture initiatives was the introduction and planting of several leguminous stylo species (Stylosanthes spp.) into native pastures. For this quiz question, firstly (a) summarize the limitations of native pastures for intensive beef production in northern Australia, and secondly (b) explain the benefits that the introduction of stylo species has had on the productivity of native pastures as well as any negative consequences.
Please note: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Turnitin: You must submit your Assessment task via the Turnitin link in Blackboard by the submission deadline. Legal Declaration: By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) and understand its implications. You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
13/09/2024 2:00 pm
2024 AGRC3006 Theme Questions
Use lecture materials, readings and additional sources of information to answer the below theme question. Word length should not exceed 800 words exclusive of references. You must reference all sources in text and provide a reference list (recommend using APA 7th referencing style) at the end of your assignment. No marks will be given for copied materials.
Theme question 2 - due 13 September 2024
A landholder near Emerald who grows crops (i.e. sorghum in summer and wheat in winter) is wanting to implement a medium-term pasture rotation (3 years) in a 1000-hectare paddock, to help regenerate the paddock, whilst also using it to fatten beef cattle.
For those who do not know where Emerald is, it is located in central Queensland about 270 km west of Rockhampton and about 920 km northwest of Brisbane.
The paddock has been cultivated to prepare a favourable seedbed and there are no trees. Using the Pastures Australia Selection Tool (https://keys.lucidcentral.org/keys/v3/pastures/index.htm) make a recommendation on what would be a suitable pasture mix for planting, from a suitability and productivity perspective. The pasture mix should contain two pasture grasses and two legumes.
Consider the following parameters associated with the location and characteristics of the paddock:
· Select Queensland then the Fitzroy region in the Pastures Australia Selection Tool.
· Medium term pasture (3-5 years)
· Rainfall – 560 mm
· Soil texture – Medium (Loam, clay loam)
· Soil pH – Alkaline (> 7.5)
· Soil drainage – Well drained
· Level of soil salinity – Low (0-2 dS/m)
In your response,
· Include the objective of the exercise and summarise in your own word’s information about the location and specifics of the paddock.
· List all the grasses and legumes that were identified as suitable using the Pastures Australia Selection Tool.
Note that in the Pastures Australia Selection Tool the recommended species highlighted in green are considered most favourable followed by those in orange.
· From the above list, recommend two pasture grasses and two legumes to plant as a mixture in the pasture.
· Discuss the respective attributes of the selected pasture species that make them most suitable for this situation (e.g. ease of establishment, nutritional quality, grazing tolerance etc).
· The fact sheets in the Tropical Forages database are a good source of specific information on individual pasture species.
Please note: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Turnitin: You must submit your Assessment task via the Turnitin link in Blackboard by the submission deadline. Legal Declaration: By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) and understand its implications. You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
4/10/2024 2:00 pm
Theme (Module) 3 – Pasture Sampling Exercise 2024
Students enrolled in the internal mode in Semester 2 will conduct a pasture sampling exercise during a class directed practical. If possible, external students are welcome to attend the sampling practical. Data from the practical will be provided to all students via Blackboard.
Method
Students are required to work in small groups to estimate the yield and botanical composition of a pasture using different sampling methods. Specifically, you are required to:
Calculations
Calculations will be discussed in class and will include (a) Determining whether enough samples (i.e. quadrats) were taken to accurately measure the yield of pasture using both the visual score and rising plate methods, (b) quantifying and comparing the yield and botanical composition of the pastures using two techniques, and (3) determining the carrying capacity.
Report submission
Please note: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Turnitin: Each student must submit their Assessment task via the Turnitin link in Blackboard by the submission deadline.
Legal Declaration:
By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) and understand its implications.
Legal Declaration:
By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) and understand its implications.
You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
25/10/2024 2:00 pm
2024 AGRC3006 Theme Questions
Use lecture materials, readings and additional sources of information to answer the below theme question through the semester. Word length should not exceed 800 words exclusive of references. You must reference all sources in text and provide a reference list (recommend using APA 7th referencing style) at the end of your assignment. No marks will be given for copied materials.
Theme question 3 - due 25 October 2024
Pasture ‘run-down’ is recognised as a major impediment to maximising livestock production in tropical and sub-tropical environments. Summarise the problem, what causes it, and outline what you feel would be the most cost-effective approach to improve the long-term productivity of these run-down pastures.
Please note: This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Turnitin: You must submit your Assessment task via the Turnitin link in Blackboard by the submission deadline.
Legal Declaration:
By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) and understand its implications.
You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
The exam may have questions on any aspect of the course. More details will be given later in the semester.
This is a paper-based exam for all students enrolled in the course. Students enrolled in External delivery must attend the exam at the venue listed in their personalised exam timetable.
Have your UQ student ID card available for all your exams.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Planning time | 10 minutes |
---|---|
Duration | 120 minutes |
Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
Exam platform | Paper based |
Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
You may be able to defer this exam.
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
Grade | Description |
---|---|
1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 0 - 34% |
2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 35 - 46% |
3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: 47% - 49% |
4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 50% - 64% |
5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 65% - 74% |
6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 75% - 84% |
7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 85% - 100% |
Course Grading and Assessment Hurdles:ᅠ
Students must pass theᅠexam to pass theᅠcourse.ᅠ
To achieve a grade of 4 or higher for this course you must achieve a cumulative mark for all assessment of 50% or greater and a passing mark in the end of semester exam.ᅠ
If a student obtains an overall percentage greater than the cut-offs set to achieve a 4 or higher for the course based on marks from a combination of progressive assessment and the final exam and the student does NOT score a passing mark in the final exam, they are unable to achieve a grade higher than a 3 (failing grade) for the course.
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
TurnitinᅠAssignmentsᅠᅠ
Assignments that are required to be submitted through TurnItIn, must only be uploaded to the assessment specific Turnitin link on the relevant course Blackboard site. If you submit any version of your assessment item to any alternative Turnitin link, this is considered cheating and you will be held liable for this action.
Please note the following points when writing assignments:
Results
Unless specifically indicated by the lecturer involved, every attempt will be made to have the results for progressive assessment tasks available within 3 weeks of submission. For items of assessment submitted in the last 2 weeks of the semester, the results will be available before the day of your end of semester examination in the course, unless otherwise indicated by the Course Coordinator. Results and feedback availability for progressive assessment will be announced via the course Blackboard site.ᅠ
Re-mark Applicationsᅠ– refer to the University's Re-mark Policy to check your eligibility
Deferred and Supplementary assessment (including Deferred Mid-Semester Examinations)
Deferred and Supplementary information can be located on the my.UQ website
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
AGRC3006/AGRC7051 blackboard site - blackboard is the main method of course communication. http://learn.uq.edu.au
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
---|---|---|
Lecture |
Week 1: An overview of pastures in Australia We will discuss the significance of pastures in a global and Australian context, introduce you to four major livestock production systems that utilise pastures and some of the major vegetation communities that support pastures. |
|
Lecture |
Week 2: The value of improved pastures We will discuss (a) the importance of improved pastures and why we introduce them, (b) early plant introductions, (c) reasons for success and (d) hazards of introduction. |
|
Lecture |
Week 3: Pasture plant introduction & improvement We will discuss (a) the origins and classification of pastures, (b) plant introduction and evaluation, (c) plant introduction versus plant breeding and (d) release of new varieties. |
|
Practical |
Week 3: Tropical forages database practical You will be introduced to two pasture selection tools (Tropical Forages Database and Pastures Australia Selection Tool) that can be used to help select pasture species based on the situation where a landholder wants to plant a new pasture (e.g. soil type, rainfall). You will then use the Pastures Australia Selection Tool to complete Theme Question 2. |
|
Lecture |
Week 4: Pasture species Learn about a range of improved pasture grasses and legumes including their distribution, strengths and limitations. Note as there is a public holiday this week the lectures will be pre-recorded and loaded in Blackboard. |
|
Lecture |
Week 5: Yield and ecology We will discuss the factors that affect pasture production, such as temperature, weather and management practices (e.g. fertiliser applications). |
|
Lecture |
Week 6: Remote sensing for pasture monitoring Guest lecturer Phill Tickle from Cibolabs will discuss how remote sensing can be used to help landholders determine paddock yields for calculating stocking rates. |
|
Lecture |
Week 7: Pasture rundown Dr Gavin Peck from QDAF will introduce you to the concept of pasture rundown, including what causes it and what are some of the mitigation strategies that can be used. |
|
Practical |
Week 7: Analysis of pasture sampling data This session will go through the analysis needed to complete the pasture sampling exercise. |
|
Lecture |
Week 8: Pasture growth and carrying capacity We will discuss pasture growth and carrying capacity, including (a) the principles of stocking rate management, (b) pasture growth rates, (c) pasture utilisation, (d) sustainable carrying capacity, and monitoring tools for estimating pasture yields. |
|
Lecture |
Week 9: Pasture quality and pasture weeds We will discuss (a) a range of factors that influence pasture quality for livestock production and (b) the issue of weeds in pastures. |
|
Lecture |
Week 10: Integrated cropping and livestock systems Guest lecturer Dr Lindsay Bell from CSIRO will discuss (a) integrating pastures in cropping systems as well as (b) building integrated forage-based feed systems. |
|
Lecture |
Week 11: Horses and pastures This lecture will focus on horses and how they differ from ruminants in terms of pasture requirements and utilisation. Note as there is a public holiday this week the lectures will be pre-recorded and loaded in Blackboard. |
|
Lecture |
Week 12: Pasture establishment The establishment phase is one of the most challenging aspects of growing improved pastures and we will discuss key considerations to maximise the likelihood of success. We will also present a case study on leucaena to show the level of management required to successfully establish this difficult to establish species. |
|
Lecture |
Week 13: Exam review and pasture dieback Dr Anthony Young will provide a lecture on pasture dieback a phenomenon that is having a major impact on livestock producers in Queensland. Afterwards I will provide a review of the course and provide some guidance to help you prepare for the exam. |
|
Not Timetabled |
Revision |
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course: