Dairy Systems

Subject DASC90010 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

August, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 31-Aug-2015 to 11-Sep-2015
Assessment Period End 29-Oct-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 02-Sep-2015
Census Date 18-Sep-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 09-Oct-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Up to 45 hours of lectures/practicals/tutorials
Total Time Commitment:

Estimated total time commitment (including non-contact time): 170 hours.

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they must actively and safely contribute to field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Health requirements

Q Fever

Students enrolling in this subject are advised that some courses of study may put them at an increased risk of contracting Q Fever. Q Fever is a relatively common preventable condition which, while rarely fatal, can cause a severe acute illness and can result in damage to heart valves and chronic fatigue. It is recommended that students consider undertaking screening and vaccination for Q Fever prior to commencement of study. Students may be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to undertaking some coursework. Your course coordinator will advise you of this requirement prior to commencement of the study semester. Vaccine costs for students are not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme, Medicare, or by the University. Some students with full private medical coverage (which has hospital and ancillary cover) may receive partial re-imbursement for vaccine costs.

Coordinator

Dr Brendan Cullen

Contact

bcullen@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

The Australian dairy industry has the third highest gross value of production of all the primary industries. Dairying is largely concentrated in Victoria (65% of total national production), and uses pasture as the main feed source for lactating animals. Dairy businesses are under increased pressure to maintain profit margins and sustain the quality of natural resources in the face of climatic variability and climate change, decreased water allocations, increased input costs (especially feed grains), labour supply shortages, and volatile milk prices. Meeting these challenges requires sophisticated understanding of how dairy production systems are constructed and managed, and what drives profitability.

Learning Outcomes:

In this subject students will:

  1. develop an in depth understanding of dairy production systems, and current research issues.
  2. evaluate the role of the various aspects of dairy systems management within the production systems.
  3. identify important social, ethical and natural resource management issues in dairy production.
  4. integrate knowledge from different sources to critically evaluate issues in dairy production systems.
Assessment:

Two oral presentations of 10 minutes each completed during timetabled classes (each contributing 20% of final mark); and

two 1500 word written assignments (each contributing 30% of final mark), due approximately one and three weeks after the conclusion of the intensive.

Prescribed Texts:

Holmes, C.W. et al. Milk Production from Pasture (2nd edition). Butterworths

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

On completion of this subject students should have developed the following generic skills:

  • academic excellence
  • greater in-depth understanding of scientific disciplines of dairy production systems and their responses to constraints imposed by environments and markets
  • critical thinking and analysis and problem solving
  • flexibility and level of transferable skills should be enhanced through improved ability to communicate ideas effectively in both written and verbal formats.
Notes:

Q Fever

Students enrolling in this subject are advised that some courses of study may put them at an increased risk of contracting Q Fever. Q Fever is a relatively common preventable condition which, while rarely fatal, can cause a severe acute illness and can result in damage to heart valves and chronic fatigue. It is recommended that students consider undertaking screening and vaccination for Q Fever prior to commencement of study. Students may be required to provide proof of vaccination prior to undertaking some coursework. Your course coordinator will advise you of this requirement prior to commencement of the study semester. Vaccine costs for students are not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme, Medicare, or by the University. Some students with full private medical coverage (which has hospital and ancillary cover) may receive partial re-imbursement for vaccine costs.

Related Course(s): Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Sciences
Graduate Diploma in Agricultural Sciences
Master of Agricultural Science
Master of Animal Science
Postgraduate Diploma in Agricultural Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point (A) Master of Agricultural Sciences
100 Point (B) Master of Agricultural Sciences
150 Point Master of Agricultural Sciences
200 Point Master of Agricultural Sciences
Animal Science Specialisation
Honours Program - Agricultural Science
Honours Program - Animal Science and Management

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