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 - 2019
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 Self reflection
Take steps to improve response rate
The response rate in this unit was less than 50%. Students will be engaged more during lectures/tutorials right from the start of term and the importance of completing the evaluations emphasized. Reminder emails will be sent before and just after the evaluations are open.
Feedback from Self reflection
Students at risk of failing the unit
More efforts should be made to monitor (using tools available in Moodle) and engage students who are are not engaging sufficiently with the unit, and therefore are at risk of not passing the unit. Appropriate strategies should be used to help them in their learning, including referring them to ALC for further help.
Feedback from Students/Have Your Say
Assessment Tasks need to be explained better
More exemplars will be given. More information on the expectations for each task will be provided. Other methods, for instance videos explaining each task in detail may be used.
- 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 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - 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 | 11 | |
| 1 - Portfolio - 70% | |||||||||||
| 2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 30% | |||||||||||
Textbooks
Beef Cattle Production and Trade
- (2014)
- Authors: David Cottle, Lewis Kahn
- CSIRO Publishing
- Collingwood Collingwood , VIC , Australia
- ISBN: 9780643109889
- Binding: Hardcover
Additional Textbook Information
Cottle and Khan (2014) textbook is also available at the library and can be read online. However, if you prefer your own copy, you can purchase one at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)
Additional resources, suggested readings and textbooks will be also available on moodle.
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Google Earth Pro
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Microsoft Word
- Video Recording Device (Camcorder, Digital Camera, Smartphone, etc.)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.k.manning@cqu.edu.au
Week 1 - Introduction and Australian Livestock Systems
Begin Date: 11 Mar 2019Module/Topic
Unit introduction, assessment requirements and introduction to Australian livestock systems
Chapter
Cottle and Khan Chapters 1, 9 and 10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 2 - Livestock Anatomy and Physiology
Begin Date: 18 Mar 2019Module/Topic
Basic animal anatomy, physiology and digestion with livestock examples
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 3 - Livestock Nutrition
Begin Date: 25 Mar 2019Module/Topic
Basic animal nutrition, differences between varying production animals, feed rations and designs
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Part C – Week 2 PRACTICAL REPORT due Monday 25 March 5PM AEST
Assessment 1 Part A - QUIZ due Friday 29th March 5PM AEST
Week 4 - Farm Biosecurity
Begin Date: 01 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Farm biosecurity activities and processes, spread of disease, investigating pathogens
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Part C – Week 3 PRACTICAL REPORT due Monday 1 April 5PM AEST
Week 5 - Livestock Management
Begin Date: 08 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Livestock management and the requirements that are involved in the running of a successful enterprise
Chapter
Cottle and Khan Chapter 18
Events and Submissions/Topic
Field trip
Assessment 1 Part C – Week 4 PRACTICAL REPORT due Monday 8 April 5PM AEST
Vacation Week
Begin Date: 15 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 6 - Assessment
Begin Date: 22 Apr 2019Module/Topic
No formal lectures this week due to the public holidays. Assessment help via zoom will be available instead
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 Part A - PRESENTATION due Friday 26th April 5PM AEST
Assessment 1 Part C – Week 5 PRACTICAL REPORT due Monday 22 April 5PM AEST
Northern Australia Intercollegiate Meat Judging (ICMJ) competition this week
Week 7 - Products and Markets
Begin Date: 29 Apr 2019Module/Topic
Products and markets, market specifications, meat and animal quality
Chapter
Cottle and Khan Chapter 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Week 8 - Climate
Begin Date: 06 May 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Field trip
Assessment 1 Part C – Week 7 PRACTICAL REPORT due Monday 6 May 5PM AEST
Week 9 - Natural resources
Begin Date: 13 May 2019Module/Topic
Resource considerations for different production systems
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Field trip
Assessment 1 Part C – Week 8 PRACTICAL REPORT due Monday 13 May 5PM AEST
Week 10 - Whole Farm Planning
Begin Date: 20 May 2019Module/Topic
Business management of livestock and cropping production systems and budgeting
Chapter
Cottle and Khan Chapter 20
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 Part B - QUIZ due Friday 24th May 5PM AEST
Assessment 1 Part C – Week 9 PRACTICAL REPORT due Monday 20 May 5PM AEST
Week 11 - Farm Diversification
Begin Date: 27 May 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 Part C – Week 10 PRACTICAL REPORT (tutorial) due Monday 27 May 5PM AEST
Week 12 - Current issues and Innovations
Begin Date: 03 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Sustainability within systems, future challenges and innovations
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review Week
Begin Date: 10 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 Part B - WRITTEN ASSESSMENT due Monday 10 June 5PM AEST
Exam Week
Begin Date: 17 Jun 2019Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
There are compulsory field trips in Week 5, 8, 9 and 12. Additionally, in Week 6 (Thursday 25 - Saturday 27 April 2019) is the Northern Beef Industry conference and workshop in Rockhampton. Further information will be provided on Moodle.
This unit is also taught by Salena McBride, QATC Senior Instructor (Diploma of Agriculture): E: s.mcbride@cqu.edu.au T: 0429 498 715
1 Portfolio
The portfolio compromises of three (3) parts and accounts for 70% of your final mark:
PART A - QUIZ (15%): Assessment of content delivered during lectures, field trips, pracs and tutorials from Week 1 through to Week 3. Topics include: Theory of Systems, Risk, Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition.
Due date: Week 3 (Friday 29th March, 5PM AEST)
PART B - QUIZ (15%): Assessment of content delivered during lectures, field trips, pracs and tutorials from Week 4 through to Week 10. Topics include Biosecurity, Products and Markets, Natural Resources Management, Forecasting Uncertain Futures, Livestock Management, Budgeting, Legislation and Ethics.
Due date: Week 10 (Friday 24th May, 5PM AEST)
PART C - PRACTICAL REPORTS (40%): During each practical session, field trip and Week 10 tutorial, you will be required to complete an activity, short report or presentation related to the practical activity. There will be 7 practical reports in total (4% each) and 1 tutorial activity in Week 10 (12%) to complete. Specific details for each practical will be available on Moodle.
Due date: By the next Monday 5PM AEST following the practical. These dates will be 25 March, 1 April, 8 April, 22 April, 6 May, 13 May, 20 May, 27 May 2019.
PART A: Week 3, Friday 29th March by 5PM AEST; PART B: Week 10, Friday 24th May, 5PM AEST; PART C: By the next Monday 5PM AEST following the practical (25 March, 1 April, 8 April, 22 April, 6 May, 13 May, 20 May, 27 May 2019)
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 will be based on participation, completion and submission of practical reports. Attendance and participation for all practical sessions is compulsory.
If students wish to qualify for the QATC Diploma, they will need to obtain at least 50% on every part of the assessment. Resubmissions to QATC can be arranged if 50% is not achieved on the first trial.
- 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
PART A - PRESENTATION (5%):
Due date: Week 6 (Friday 26th April, 5PM AEST)
Create a livestock calendar of operations for your chosen livestock system (e.g., poultry, pigs, dairy, beef, sheep etc.) presented in the form of a production calendar, in a style of your choosing (e.g., table, powerpoint, poster).
You will be required to present your livestock calendar of operations in 3-5 minutes and discuss the following aspects:
- Introduce your chosen livestock system and calendar of operation
- Discuss a minimum of two key aspects of the production cycle for your chosen livestock system
- Mention at least one innovation relevant to your chosen livestock system
The marking rubric will be available on Moodle.
PART B - WRITTEN ASSESSMENT (25%):
Due date: Week 13/Review week (Monday 10th June, 5PM AEST)
Analyse at least 3 livestock events from your calendar of operations (Part A- presentation), discuss an innovation and prepare a report in an essay format that includes the following components:
- Business objective and goal
- Analysis of livestock operations including your three livestock events
- Identify what improvements could be made for your three livestock events
- Introduction of your innovation
- Discuss the benefits of implementing your innovation into this livestock system
The information provided in the essay must be supported by use of references.
This assessment will be in the format of an essay (1200-1500 words) and must include an introduction, body, conclusion and references.
The marking rubric will be available on Moodle.
PART A due Week 6 (Friday 26th April, 5PM AEST); PART B due Week 13/Review week (Monday 10th June, 5PM AEST)
Grades will be returned within 10 working days of submission.
Marks are awarded for:
- Communication and presentation skills
- Introduction and addressing the topic including the chosen livestock system, key aspects and an innovation
- Knowledge, content and structure
- Analysis of information
- Discussion of improvements that can made for the selected livestock events for the chosen livestock system and benefits in implementing an innovation
- The clarity of English expression, spelling and grammar
- Use of references and accuracy of referencing
- Appropriate timeframe (Part A) and length (Part B)
Detailed marking rubrics will also be available on Moodle.
If students wish to qualify for the QATC Diploma, they will need to obtain at least 50% on every part of the assessment. Resubmissions to QATC can be arranged if 50% is not achieved on the first trial.
- 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?
