VSC115 Pastures and Profits in Grazing Systems (8)

Students of Veterinary Science and the Animal Sciences, other than those studying agronomy as a major interest, require a basic understanding of pasture agronomy, the ecology of pastures and pastures as a source of nutrition for grazing animals. The decisions around grazing management require an understanding of economic principles and the relationship between costs, income from animal production and the optimisation of grazing systems from both a biological and an economic viewpoint. This subject provides an introduction to students to both agronomy and farm economics and financial management in an integrated context, and prepares students for later studies of animal production, nutrition, plant toxicology, and the economics of health management in animal populations.

Availability

Session 2 (60)
On Campus
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: VSC115. Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Subject Information

Grading System

HD/FL

Duration

One session

School

School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to discuss how to inspect and manage pastures growing on farms in southern Australia;
  • be able to describe the major pasture species and nutritive value of these pastures for grazing livestock;
  • be able to discuss the relationship between stocking rate and profit from grazing enterprises;
  • be able to describe and justify the use of economic tools to evaluate farming and veterinary health interventions and strategies;
  • be able to review and interpret financial statements, budgets and reports;
  • be able to review and communicate information within the scientific literature; and
  • be able to demonstrate collaboration with their peers.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:

Types of pastures in Australia

Establishing a pasture

Pasture growth and development

Nutritive values of pastures

Fodder conservation

Managing grazing livestock

Introduction to Economics

Production, income and costs

Decision Analysis

Introduction to Veterinary Health Economics

Partial Budgets

Analysing a Farm Business

Contact

For further information about courses and subjects outlined in the CSU handbook please contact:

Current students

Future students

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2019. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

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