Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module each student should be able to:
Perform routine skills associated the normal running of dairy farm which includes but is not limited to milking, animal feeding, animal breeding and grassland management. Students should be able to appraise milking and dairy hygiene operations, perform routine skills associated with dairy herd health, evaluate cows, replacement heifers, and sires for breeding, manage grass utilisation through grass budgeting.
In addition, it is important that students understand and have the ability to evaluate key performance indicators for a dairy farm. Students should have an awareness of the appropriateness of current health and safety practices. Students will need to collect, analyse and report the important information on a dairy farm, describe the business organization and the responsibilities of key operatives in the enterprise on which they were located. The attainment of the above learning outcomes will be assessed through monthly reports, final project report and interview.
Students will have opportunities to develop important teamwork, interpersonal and self-management transferable skills such as: ability to work independently in unfamiliar situations; manage their time effectively; work effectively as a team member and respect the views of others in the team; accept and respond to constructive criticism; account for their actions and decisions; critically reflect on their experiences. Based on their contacts and experiences on placement students will be able to critically identify and develop potential sources of appropriate employment for their future career.