PSC406 Summer Cropping System (8)

This subject has been designed and is delivered in partnership with Australia's major summer cropping industries and aims to prepare students with the skills and knowledge to advise growers on the intricacies of planning and managing an irrigated summer cropping enterprises. Students will develop detailed knowledge of major summer crops, sustainable system design and integration within the engineered environment of an irrigated cropping zone. Students use the latest in technology to interact with Industry experts in both virtual and in-situ Field Schools located within the southern irrigated summer cropping region. With ready access to the latest industry research, students will learn to adapt these summer cropping systems to a changing environment.

Availability

* Offering has a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Session 3 (90)
Online *
Wagga Wagga Campus

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: PSC406. 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 Agricultural and Wine Sciences

Enrolment Restrictions

This subject is restricted to students enrolled in Bachelor of Agriculture, Bachelor of Agricultural Science, Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Honours), Master of Sustainable Agriculture Articulated Set and Master of Agricultural Business Management Articulated Set.

Students undertaking cross-institutional study can apply for approval from the Course Director.

Assumed Knowledge

Students are expected to have studied subjects in the fields of plant production systems, plant protection (including weeds, diseases and invertebrate pests), crop physiology and agronomy prior to enrolling in this subject.

 

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to demonstrate and apply knowledge of the development and growth requirements of key summer crop species to the planning and management of irrigation systems in southern Australia;
  • be able to identify management practices and decisions critical to the implementation of sustainable rotations;
  • be able to critically evaluate a summer cropping system with respect to its sustainability, profitability and yield;
  • be able to design and justify appropriate cropping rotations for irrigated summer cropping systems; and
  • be able to demonstrate their ability to critically evaluate and integrate knowledge to real/current summer cropping systems and communicate this knowledge to external audiences.

Syllabus

This subject will cover the following topics:
  • Major summer crops and their requirements
  • Principles of systems design in irrigated cropping zones
  • The "engineered environment"
  • Key factors affecting crop choice and sequencing
  • Managing biophysical constraints
  • Summer cropping system management and adaptation in a changing environment

Residential School

This subject contains a 4 day Compulsory Residential School.

The 4 day field school will take students to where these summer cropping systems take place, so that they can see the crops growing and interact with the local farming community and local agronomic advisors. It will also be an opportunity to visit research sites, variety trials and other participants in the value-chain.

Special Resources

Students will be attending an off-campus compulsory residential school close to the location of summer crops to enable easy access. Travel to and accommodation near to the residential school will be required for students attending.

The information contained in the CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: May 2021. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.

Back