Course coordinator
Dr Shane Campbell
�Please contact me by email (shane.campbell@uq.edu.au) if you would like to make an appointment to see me.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- Gatton
- Coordinating unit
- Agriculture and Food Sustainability School
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
Course requirements
Assumed background
High School or First Year University Biology,ﾠinterest in pastures and animal production through previous coursework or experience.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
AGRC3006
Restrictions
In Person offering restricted to students who meet mandatory immunisation requirements.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Anthony Young
Timetable
Additional timetable information
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, lectures 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 07/10/2024ﾠKing's Birthday publicﾠholiday.
ﾠ
Aims and outcomes
The principal purpose of Pasture Science & Managementﾠis 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.ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain the principles and risks associated with pasture plant introduction and improvement
LO2.
Develop recommendations of suitable pastures for landholders to grow based on their particular circumstances
LO3.
Identify factors affecting yield and ecology of sown pastures under grazing and be able to estimate pasture growth and carrying capacity
LO4.
Compare and analyse different pasture sampling and monitoring techniques
LO5.
Explain the role of pastures in sustainable livestock production and in crop-livestock systems
LO6.
Develop strategies to improve pasture resources in tropical environments and to overcome pasture production issues (e.g. seed production, establishment)
LO7.
Critique available literature on topical issues associated with pasture science and management and formulate key recommendations
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Case study
|
15% |
6/09/2024 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Pasture sampling assignment
|
20% |
4/10/2024 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Literature review
|
25% |
25/10/2024 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
Final Exam
|
40% |
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.
Assessment details
Case study
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
6/09/2024 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Work integrated learning.
Task description
Case Study - 2024
A landholder near Clifton is wanting to establish an improved pasture in a 60-hectare paddock, for the purpose of fattening beef cattle. For those who do not know where Clifton is, it is a small town in the Darling Downs Region, about 50 km south of Toowoomba and 150 km west 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. Before making your recommendations double check the website of two pasture seed suppliers (Barenbrug Seeds – see their Tropical Pastures Guide https://barenbrug.com.au/international/brochures-publications, DLF Seeds https://www.dlfseeds.com.au/products/tropical-subtropical ) to ensure seeds of the pasture species are commercially available for growing in Australia.
Consider the following parameters associated with the location and characteristics of the paddock:
- Select Queensland then Condamine region in the Pastures Australia Selection Tool
- Permanent pasture (>5 years)
- Rainfall – 690 mm
- Soil texture – Heavy (Clay, heavy clay)
- Soil pH – Alkaline (> 7.5)
- Soil drainage – Less well drained
- Level of soil salinity – Medium (3-8 dS/m)
In your response:
- Include an introduction that outlines the benefits of improved pastures (use supporting references) for beef production and highlights the objectives of the exercise.
- In your own words, summarise the unique characteristics of the paddock (i.e. rainfall, soil type etc.), and how you went about shortlisting suitable grasses and legumes.
- Outline how many and which grasses and legumes were identified as suitable for growing in the paddock using the Pasture Australia Selection Tool.
- Name the two improved grasses and two legumes that you are recommending and provide justification as to why you selected them (e.g. ease of establishment, compatibility with each other, nutritional quality). Note that in the Pasture Australia Selection Tool, shortlisted species highlighted in green are the most suitable, followed by those highlighted in orange.
- The fact sheets in the Tropical Forages database (https://www.tropicalforages.info/text/intro/index.html) are a good source of specific information on individual pasture species and will help with your shortlisting of suitable grasses and legumes.
- Conclude with a brief summary of the objective of the exercise and your key recommendations.
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. Word Length should not exceed 1500 words exclusive of references.
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.
Submission guidelines
Assignments should be submitted via the Turnitin link in Blackboard by the assigned due date.
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.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
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.
Pasture sampling assignment
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
4/10/2024 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Work integrated learning.
Task description
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:
- Sample approximately 20 quadrats (50 cm x 50 cm) per group over the paddock to measure yield and botanical composition using various methods. Use a systematic grid pattern to locate the position of the quadrats. For each quadrat, note the yield score (1-10), rising plate meter measurement, the % of each component by dry weight, and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd dominant species if 3 species are present.
- Determine yield by the visual scoring method. Yield of the pasture can be measured by a visual scoring technique where each of the quadrats is scored between 1 and 10 (1 = lowest yield and 10 = highest yield in the paddock). To calibrate your yield scores, you need to select at least three reference quadrats against which all other quadrats are compared. You should locate the lowest yield in the paddock and give that pasture a yield score of 1 (note: bare ground is equivalent to a yield score of 0). Conversely, locate the highest yield in the paddock and give that pasture a yield score of 10. You should also locate a medium yield location and give a score of 4, 5 or 6 depending on its relative yield compared to the 1 and 10 scores. Spending time calibrating visual scores as a group is essential for accurate and consistent results.
- Determine yield by the rising plate meter method. Rising plate meters can quickly estimate pasture yield by measuring the height of pasture under the weight of a standard plate (usually 4kg/m2).
- At the end of the sampling exercise, each group will provide yield scores and RPM measurements (only one group) for 10 quadrats that have been located to give a spread of scores from 1 to 10. These quadrats will then be cut to a standard height of 5 cm above ground level, with the herbage from each quadrat to be placed in individual bags.
- Place the paper bags in an oven and dry at 65oC for 48 hours. Weigh each bag, subtracting the weight of the packet so that you have a dry weight, yield score and a rising plate meter measurement for each of the hand-cut quadrats.
- All the data will be combined and provided to all students to undertake calculations of pasture yield, composition and stocking rates.
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
- Report requirements will be discussed in class but require the following sections - Introduction, Adequacy of the sampling regime, Calibration graphs and equations, Mean dry matter yield of the pasture, Botanical composition, Carrying capacity, Conclusion, References.
- Word Length should not exceed 2000 words exclusive of references, graphs, tables and figures. For all references (recommend using APA 7th referencing style), provide a reference list at the end of your report. No marks will be given for copied materials.
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.
Submission guidelines
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.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
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.
Literature review
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
25/10/2024 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
Literature review
Provide a detailed review of literature on 'Different grazing strategies used for livestock production in Australia’.
Your literature review must:
- Commence with an introduction that describes the importance of grazing pastures appropriately from a productivity and sustainability perspective and outlines the scope of the review (Introduction including scope of review).
- Identify different grazing strategies (e.g. continuous, rotational) that can be utilised for livestock production and describe how they operate (body).
- Compare and contrast the benefits and limitations of the different grazing strategies from a productivity and sustainability perspective (body).
- Conclude with a well-rounded summary, including any gaps in knowledge that could be the focus of future research (conclusions).
Only use references published from 2000 onwards and while the literature review has an Australian focus, relevant international articles can be utilised if they provide compelling information to support your review.
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. Word Length should not exceed 2500 words exclusive of references.
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.
Submission guidelines
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.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
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.
Final Exam
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
2/11/2024 - 16/11/2024
Task description
The exam may have questions on any aspect of the course. More details will be given later in the semester using the Blackboard website.
This exam will be a paper-based exam for all students enrolled in the course. Students enrolled in External mode 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.
Hurdle requirements
Students must pass theﾠexam to pass theﾠcourse.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | Any calculator permitted |
| Open/closed book | Closed Book examination - no written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | ExamSoft |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
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% |
Additional course grading information
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
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
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.ﾠﾠ
Please note the following points when writing assignments:
- Assignments should provide a lucid, concise, literate and contemporary treatment of the subject under review. You are expected to research what is known about the topic and reading of the literature should be critical. The assignment should be original. No marks are awarded for copied material.ﾠ
- You must not re-use past work from previous assignments in your assignments.
- Organise your assignment by arranging the text under suitable headings; group material on similar themes in paragraphs. It is good writing discipline to keep to the stated length whilst maintaining significant content.
- Make sure your assignment begins and ends effectively, and that it provides adequate supporting arguments, evidence, and examples. Inclusion of relevant data and illustrations improve the presentation and communication value of the assignment.
- Express your arguments clearly and directly making sure you reference all sources of information.
- Don’t let your conclusion fail you: a weak ending drags the standard of the assignment down with it. Do put time and effort into writing a thoughtful and comprehensive conclusion but do not introduce new research and topics in the conclusion. Use gender equitable language.
Resultsﾠ
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
- Before applying for a remark, students should consider the following:
- You have consulted the course coordinator for feedback
- Your academic grounds for remark have been discussed and are valid
- Wanting a higher grade is not grounds for a remark. A remark can decrease your grade.
- Remark applications will not be considered without first having contacted your course co-ordinator.ﾠ
Deferred and Supplementary assessment (including Deferred Mid-Semester Examinations)
Deferred and Supplementary information can be located on the my.UQ website
ﾠ
Learning resources
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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
AGRC3006/AGRC7051 course blackboard site: blackboard is the main method of course communication http://learn.uq.edu.au/
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| 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 and 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 the Case Study. |
|
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. |
|
Not Timetabled |
In-Semester Break |
|
Not Timetabled |
Mid-Semester Break |
|
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 |
Policies and procedures
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:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.