Module Title:Crop and Grassland Management on Organic Farms
Language of Instruction:English
Credits: 5
NFQ Level:6
Module Delivered In 2 programme(s)
Teaching & Learning Strategies: Formal lectures will be complemented by practical field sessions, guest lectures, and site visits to organic farms. This will allow for a balance of theory and hands on learning activities and expose the student to a variety of production systems. Classroom activities will focus on the key performance indicators for the system, maintenance of soil productivity and the requirement for inputs from animal systems. While field trips will be used to develop practical skills in crop management, plant identification and pasture management.
Module Aim: The module will focus on the key factors that underpin the sustainability of organic crop production including combinable and forage crops. Students will examine the role of combi-cropping and intercropping in the production of organic crops. Pasture management including the choice of forage species, rotations and nutrition of the crop will also be examined. Students will also examine the various cultivation options available to arable cropping systems and how the pest load on crops can be minimised.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1 Demonstrate an understanding of the principals underpinning organic cereal production including the role of inter-cropping and combi-cropping
LO2 Demonstrate an understanding of the role of crop rotations, cultural control techniques and nutrition of cereals in an organic cropping system
LO3 Demonstrate an understanding of pasture management as it applies to organic agriculture including choice of pasture species, grazing management and the interaction between the grazer and the pasture
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Organic Cereal Production
This module covers cereal production as it applies in organic systems. This will include meeting the crops nutritional requirements, weed control and the role of rotations in ensuring a sustainable crop yield. Formal lectures will be complemented by practical field work exposing the learner to key management skills for cereal production
Combinable Crops
Alternatives to cereal crops will be discussed in the context of their suitability to the Irish climate as well as their role in organic production systems. Catch crops, intercropping, undersowing cereals, and short rotations pastures will also be explored through formal lectures, guest speakers and field visits
Pasture Management
Pasture management for ruminant animals within an organic system will be explored. This will include rotations, species selection for grazing and conserved forage and nutrient management. Specialist swards of legumes and other forage crops will also be examined. Practical work and field visits will be used to supplement formal lectures.
Assessment Breakdown%
Practical50.00%
End of Module Formal Examination50.00%
No Continuous Assessment
No Project
Practical
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Practical/Skills Evaluation Students will be expected to produce a two page summary of their field lab session summarising the importance of the topic covered, the methodology and outcomes. Sketches of the outcomes will be encouraged where appropriate. The report should be typed with sketches included as figures. It will be handed in a timely manner and general feedback will be given in subsequent lab sessions. 1,2,3 50.00 n/a
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Formal Exam Terminal Exam 1,2,3 50.00 End-of-Semester

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 2.00
Practicals 12 Weeks per Stage 1.00
Independent Learning Time 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00
Total Hours 72.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 2.00
Practicals 12 Weeks per Stage 1.00
Independent Learning Time 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00
Total Hours 72.00
 

Module Delivered In

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CW_SWOAG_B Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Organic Agriculture 2 Mandatory
CW_SWOAG_D Bachelor of Science in Organic Agriculture 2 Mandatory