ES1S66 - Crop Production 01 Apr 2025 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: ES1S66
Module Title: Crop Production
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Chemical and Environmental Sciences
Faculty Sub Group: Earth and Environmental Science
Module Leader: Pete Dunford
Module Team:
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 01 Apr 2025
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

This module allows learners to develop an understanding of the production and utilisation of grass, herbage legumes and forage crops within the context of UK agriculture. This enables learners to select, grow, harvest and store appropriate types of grass and forage crops and to assess how they may fit into sustainable farming systems for application in industry.

To enable the students to identify the characteristics of grass, forage and arable species and the inputs involved in their establishment and management

To understand the conservation management of grassland.

To develop an ability to produce management plans for grazing systems.

Content Summary

Characteristics: Italian Ryegrasss, Perrenial Ryegrass, Timothy, Cocksfoot, Meadow grasses, Fescues, Yorkshire Fog, Red and White clover, Hybrids. Kale, Fodder Beet, Wholecrop, Forage Rape, Forage Maize, Turnips, Swedes, Peas, Lupins, Chicory, Wheat, Barley, Oats, Triticale.

Seed selection: Yield, disease resistance, Composition, Growth, vigour, establishment, suitability for purpose. Nutrient requirements, seedbed preparations, Nutrient availability and types, Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorous, Sulphur, Magnesium, Lime, Basic Slag, Waste products, FYM, Slurry.

Conservation and harvest: Timing, method, machinery, Storage, Utilisation, Targets.

Grazing and arable cropping: Rotational, Paddock, Simplified rotational, set stocking, continuous, Strip grazing, zero grazing, day and night grazing. Grazing clovers and forage crops. Stocking rate, livestock utilisation. Arable crop rotations.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 42
Seminar 6
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 52
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Identify the botanical and agronomic characteristics of major grass, herbage legumes, forage and arable crops grown in the UK and recognise the major inputs involved in their establishment and production.
LO2 Evaluate the grazing management its utilisation and arable crop rotation for a given enterprise.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Oral Assessment (CW) Presentation (CW) 1 Individual presentation on characteristics and establishment of major agricultural crops to include its utilisation 10 N/A 25 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Case Study (CW) 1 Case study evaluating the grazing management and crop rotation of a given enterprise. 0 3000 75 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Presentation (CW) 1
Case Study (CW) 1

Reading List

Frame J & A.S. Laidlaw (2014) Improved Grassland Management. The Crowood Press Ltd

A.J.L. Wiseman & H.J.S. Finch (1993) Crop Husbandry. Pergamon Press

Hopkins A (Editor) (2000) Grass: Its Production and Utilisation. Blackwell Publishing

Jones J B (2002) Agronomic Handbook: Management of Crops, Soils and Their Fertility. CRC

Pollot G E (Editor) (1990) Milk and Meat from Forage Crops. British Grassland Society

Younie D (Editor) (1996) Legumes in Sustainable Farming Systems. British Grassland Society

Websites:

www.basis-reg.co.uk BASIS

www.defra.gov.uk Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

www.environment-agency.gov.uk Environment Agency

www.fwi.co.uk Farmers Weekly Interactive

www.gct.org.uk The Game Conservancy Trust

www.icmfocus.com ICMfocus

www.nfu.org.uk National Farmers Union

www.niab.com National Institute of Agricultural Botany

www.soilassociation.org The Soil Association