CPSC40040 Developments in Grassland

Academic Year 2021/2022

This module is designed for students in ACP and Animal Science. It will examine in detail the production of grass with special reference to techniques that can improve the efficiency of use of grazed grass. This module is designed to expand further on topics covered in Grass and Forage Production (CPSC 30040) and to introduce new topics dealing with advances in the understanding of grass and forage production and new developments in forage management. The new topics introduced will include knowledge transfer for grassland technologies, emerging grassland management technologies and alternatives to grass only swards. Each student will be required to submit a project on a case study farm in which the current grassland management regime will be described and a plan for the future will be constructed.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, the student should be able to: 1) Have an advanced understanding of grass budgeting including the use of grassland management software. 2) Describe the most recent advances in the concepts and technologies associated with grassland management to improve the efficiency of use of grazed grass. 3) Have an understanding of the challenges associated with the adaption of grassland management on-farm and the role knowledge transfer has to play. 4) Assess the alternative forage systems and detail the advantages and disadvantages of each system. 5) Have the ability to construct a detailed grassland management plan for a commercial farm.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

36
Autonomous Student Learning

48
Total

108
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module enables problem-solving and data interpretation, an example of which are the Pasturebase Ireland computer classes and exercises. This module combines lectures (40% content) with in-class group work, project, padlet (e-ideas board), computer laboratories (60% content) to learn how to use grassland management software. The students are assessed via continuous assessments and project grades. They receive feedback on their projects via the padlet tool both from their peers via a group peer review session and written individual feedback from the module coordinator. Thus, enabling more critical thinking for a stage 4 module. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Co-requisite:
CPSC30040 - Grass and Forage Production

Incompatibles:
ANSC30290 - Grassld Mgt & Appl Dairy Nutr


 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Continuous Assessment: Short answer and MCQ style questions Week 5 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

25
Project: Written project Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

50
Continuous Assessment: Short answer and MCQ style questions Week 10 n/a Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

25

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

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feed back on continuous assessment 1 and 2 via grades and in class feedback post examination Peer review of project via a Padlet exercise Individual feedback on project via a Padlet exercise