CPSC30030 Root and Alternative Crop Production

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module is designed for students who already have some knowledge of crop production techniques. It specialises in aspects of the production and utilisation of a range crops such as potatoes, oilseed rape, and faba beans. This modules also covers non-traditional crops and discusses alternative crops for production in Ireland. Aspects of grain trading and crop insurance are introduced with a specific emphasis on their importance for Irish crop production. Students are also exposed to the Microsoft Excel software and how it can be used for on-farm management practices.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module the student should be able to:
- Discuss the production of oilseed rape crops and be able to make management decisions.
- Discuss the production of protein crops and be able to make management decisions.
- Discuss the production of potato crops and be able to make management decisions.
- Evaluate and make decisions re the future viability of these new cropping options.
- Discuss alternative crops for future cropping patterns in Ireland and be able to make agronomic decisions for the successful establishment of these crops.
- Appreciate the factors underpinning the increasing interest in non-food crops at farm, industry and government level.
- Use Microsoft Excel for aiding with on-farm decisions relating to the nutrient requirements of farms.

Indicative Module Content:

- Oilseed rape production
- Faba bean and other protein crop production
- Potato production
-Grain trading
- Microsoft Excel
- Alternative, novel and niche cropping options

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

30
Specified Learning Activities

25
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

125
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
In this module the following approaches are used:
1. face to face lectures;
2. active/task-based learning;
3. case-based learning;
4.critical writing.

 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Recommendations:

It is recommended that students should have completed first, second and thrid year modules before enrolling in this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Equivalents:
Root and Alternative Crop Prod (CPSC37030)


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment(Including Essay): Written assignment where students will review the literature of a topic related to an assigned alternative/novel crop or crop use n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% Yes

20
Exam (In-person): Examination: End of term written exam with questions covering topics covered in lectures n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% Yes

50
Exam (Take-Home): Students will use the Microsoft Excel software to determine the amount of nutrients required for a farm based on agronomic information and the associated costs of providing these nutrients. n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Name Role
Mr Andrew Doyle Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Gary Gillespie Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Mary Harty Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Cathal McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Tomás McCabe Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Kevin McDonnell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer