Ecology & Management of Grazing Systems

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Contact hours: 60. Estimated total time commitment (including non-contact time): 120 hours.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Pastures and grasslands comprise the dominant vegetation cover across the Australian continent. The way pastures and grasslands are managed is therefore central to the sustainable use of natural resources such as soil and water, as well as the economic development of the pasture-based livestock industries (meat and wool sheep, beef cattle, and dairy).

This subject will include:

• An overview of Australia's pasture and grassland resources;
• the population biology of pasture plants, including the growth cycles of annual and perennial plants, and pathways of plant survival;
• the major pasture plant species and pasture types, their agronomic and adaptive characteristics and management requirements;
• pasture improvement principles and practices;
• plant and pasture growth processes influencing the accumulation of yield in pastures, and implications for management;
• the feeding and nutritive value of pastures and factors affecting animal intake; and
• the principles and practices of grazing management.

On completion of this subject, students will:

• understand the basic ecology and agronomy of pasture and grassland communities and the factors that influence yield of a grazed pasture;
• know the principles underlying efficient pasture and grazing management, and the practices required for sustainable production from grazing systems;
• appreciate the importance of seasonality in pasture production, and its consequences for the management of grazing systems;
• have experience in using the practical tools and skills required for the efficient management of grazing systems; and
• be able to solve problems in the management of grazing systems.

Three-hour end of semester examination worth 50% of final marks; 3 assignments due in approximately week 5, week 9 and week 12 each equivalent to 1000-1500 words and collectively totalling 40% of final marks; and practical assignments completed during semester and collectively totalling 10% of final marks.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of this subject, students should have developed their:

• Problem solving and analytical skills;
• Capacity to tackle unfamiliar problems;
• Ability to think systemically and integrate knowledge from different disciplines;
• Communication skills, through written and oral presentations;
• Quantitative analysis skills; and
• Sense of intellectual curiosity