Overview
This unit covers the fundamentals of a livestock production system, and is built on the VET 'Manage livestock production' unit. You will be provided with an overview of the full range of livestock production systems, with a beef focus. You will learn about animal nutrition, health and welfare, fertility and new and emerging opportunities for precision livestock management. As a foundation unit, the learning outcomes will provide you with the necessary foundation for future units in the course.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2017
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Students
The students indicated poor feedback on assessments. Additionally, the written task was very large.
Assessments should be scheduled for submission throughout the term, rather than close together. Clear due dates and rubric marks are needed. Staff to consider more manageable written assessment as the task this term was very large and required a lot of time to complete.
The requirements and length of the written task were reduced. Task feedback was returned within 10 working days. Assessments were scheduled throughout the term, rather than close together.
Feedback from CQU staff and students
The students indicated that the assessments were poorly explained.
Improved set-up of quizzes and more information provided for students relating to written answers in future. Improve communication between campuses, through weekly meetings. Staff to utilise Moodle training opportunities. Staff to provide exemplars for written tasks for students.
Exemplars were given. More information on the expectations for each task was provided. The instructions for one quiz were misunderstood, students. For the second quiz, more instruction was given.
Feedback from CQU staff and students
Students and CQU staff indicated some confusion around timetabling and class scheduling.
Improve timetable structure. Avoid changing session times unless due to unavoidable circumstances. Clearer communication of any timetable changes and notification in advance.
Sessions remained as per the timetable except during extenuating circumstances. Clear and prompt communication to all students occurred via email and Moodle when a change was necessary due to cyclone flooding.
Feedback from Students
The students indicated that better communication and organisation is needed across the three campuses.
Improve the planning of activities, including communication of details between staff and to students.
Staff have communicated better. Additionally, the Unit Coordinator has been better informed of student communications and queries from other staff.
Feedback from CQU staff
The CQU staff indicated the need for assessment scaffolding and the need for better coordination.
QATC staff to take on full delivery of practicals in all locations. CQU staff need to have more input into lecture materials.
CQU staff delivered most of the lectures, while QATC planned and delivered most of the practical sessions.
- Determine management options and production targets for a livestock enterprise.
- Select, test and implement appropriate livestock innovations into farm activities.
- Develop a whole of farm livestock management and risk mitigation plan.
- Critique the ethics and legal requirements of livestock management systems.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 70% | ||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 30% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 70% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Beef Cattle: Production and Trade
Edition: 1 (2014)
Authors: David Cottle and Lewis Kahn
CSIRO Publishing
Collingwood Collingwood , VIC , Australia
Binding: Hardcover
Additional Textbook Information
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Google Earth Pro
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Microsoft Word
- R
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.j.roberts@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to the unit, agricultural systems theory and the connectivity of aspects in an agroecosystem
Chapter
Cottle and Khan Chapter 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Animal physiology
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Production animal nutrition
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Part A - QUIZ due Friday 24th March 8PM AEST
Module/Topic
Animal reproduction and livestock breeding
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to management of livestock production enterprises
Chapter
Cottle and Khan Chapter 20
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Farm biosecurity
Chapter
Cottle and Khan Chapter 13
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Whole systems, natural resource assessment and management
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Cottle and Khan Chapter 19
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 Part A Production Plan Poster Due Friday 5th May 8PM AEST
Module/Topic
Livestock products and markets
Chapter
Cottle and Khan Chapter 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Part B Quiz Due Friday 12th May 8PM AEST
Module/Topic
Quality of livestock products
Chapter
Cottle and Khan Chapter 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Natural resource management and farm planning
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 Part B Natural Resources Management plan Due Friday 2nd June 5PM AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Portfolio
The portfolio is made up of a series of tasks related to the different activities of this Unit (e.g. lectures, field trips, pracs, tutorials).
PART A - QUIZ
Weighting: 25%
Due date: Friday 24th March, week 3, 8PM AEST.
Task: Assessment of content delivered during lectures, field trips, pracs and tutorials from week 1 through to week 3. Topics include: Theory of Systems, Animal Physiology, and Animal Nutrition.
PART B - QUIZ
Weighting: 25%
Due date: Friday 12th May, week 9, 8PM, AEST.
Task: Assessment of content delivered during lectures, field trips, pracs and tutorials from week 5 through to week 9. Topics include Natural Resources Management, Budgeting, Legislation, and Ethics.
PART C - Practical activities
Weighting: 20% in total
Due date: At the conclusion of each Prac and Field Trip
Task: During each practical session and field trip, you will be required to complete a short report or presentation. Reports will be no more than 300 words. Specific details of each task will be available on the Moodle site.
PART A due Friday 24th March, Week 3, 8PM; PART B due Friday 12th May, Week 9, 8PM; PART C due weekly when prac's and field trips are scheduled
Grades will be returned within 10 working days of submission.
PART A and Part B will be marked based on correct responses to quiz questions.
PART C: Marking will be based on participation and completion of practical tasks assigned. Detailed criteria will be available on the Moodle page.
Attendance and participation at all practical sessions is compulsory.
- Determine management options and production targets for a livestock enterprise.
- Develop a whole of farm livestock management and risk mitigation plan.
- Critique the ethics and legal requirements of livestock management systems.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
2 Presentation and Written Assessment
The assessment has two components:
PART A - Livestock production plan poster
Weighting: 10% of the grade for this unit
Due: Friday week 8, 8PM AEST
This assessment consists of a poster presentation including the following:
1. Three key business objectives2. Calendar of animal husbandry activities:
a) include health and biosecurity activities
b) include production activities
3. Feed plan
4. Production targets of cattle and feed
PART B - Natural resource management plan report
Weighting: 20% of the grade for this unit
Due: Friday week 12, 5PM AEST
This assessment will consist of a written Natural Resources Management plan and information related with:
1. business objective and goal
2. SWOT analysis
3. assessment of natural resources (including flora and fauna)
4. a plan for reviewing and assessing the success of the natural resources management plan
The information provided in the plan must be supported by use of references. The natural resources management plan will be in the format of report (1200-1500 words) and include an introduction, aims, main body of the plan, conclusions and references.
Further details of this assessment task will be available on the Moodle site and specific activities associated with the Whole Farm Plan development will occur in face-to-face delivery sessions throughout the term.
PART A due Friday 5th May Week 8, 8PM AEST; PART B Due Friday 2nd June, Week 12, 5PM AEST
Grades will be returned within 10 working days of submission.
Assessments will be marked according to:
- Addressing the topic
- Sound research and referencing
- Completion of the task
Detailed marking rubrics will be available on the Moodle page.
- Select, test and implement appropriate livestock innovations into farm activities.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
