VSC115 Pastures and Profits in Grazing Systems (8)

Students of veterinary science require a basic understanding of pasture agronomy, the growth of pastures, and pastures as a source of nutrition for grazing animals. The decisions around grazing management require an understanding of data analysis, 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 introduces students to pasture management, farm economics and financial management, veterinary health economics and related statistical analysis 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

Enrolment Restrictions

Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) Integrated Honours

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • be able to discuss key factors associated with the assessment and management of pastures 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 demonstrate knowledge of, and to appropriately apply basic statistical theory and methods, in the context of pasture agronomy, farm economics and animal health interventions;
  • 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
  • Descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing and basic statistical tests.

Indicative Assessment

The following table summarises the assessment tasks for the online offering of VSC115 in Session 2 2020. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated and can also differ to suit the mode of study (online or on campus).

Item Number
Title
Value %
1
Mid-session exam - economics
35
2
Integrated case study seminars
30
3
Final exam - pasture agronomy
35

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.

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