CQUniversity Unit Profile
AGRI12005 Sustainable Livestock Production
Sustainable Livestock Production
All details in this unit profile for AGRI12005 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
Corrections

Unit Profile Correction added on 30-03-20

 Assessment 2 has now been changed to an alternate form of assessment. Please see your Moodle site for details of the assessment.

General Information

Overview

You will be introduced to emerging trends and practices in sustainable management and improvement of the major livestock industries in Australia. You will explore the major livestock industries, production cycles, roles of genetics, environment, nutrition, reproductive efficiency and health in sustainable management practices and profitability, new and emerging industries and issues affecting industry development.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 7
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite AGRI11003 Livestock Production Management

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 - 2020

Bundaberg
Emerald
Online
Rockhampton

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Presentation
Weighting: 20%
2. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 60%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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 Have Your Say

Feedback

All students found field trips and practicals were invaluable to learning.

Recommendation

Continue to ensure students are exposed to a wide range of livestock production systems including emerging animal industries through field trips and practical sessions. Maintain industry connections to ensure these sites can be used annually.

Feedback from Have Your Say

Feedback

Interactive tutorials using real and commercial programs made it easy to learn and keep engaged with the content.

Recommendation

Keep these tutorials in the unit, and ensure there is a good balance between lectures and tutorials. Where possible, get a guest lecturer in from the company to go through the program, and to keep tutorial sessions engaging, practical and industry relevant.

Feedback from Have Your Say

Feedback

All students indicated that overall they enjoyed the unit.

Recommendation

It is encouraging to hear that students found the content, field trips and assessments beneficial to their learning and as a part of the Bachelor of Agriculture degree. This feedback should be considered as part of the Rejuvenation of the Agriculture degree.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Analyse livestock production systems and identify strategies for improvement.
  2. Review global emerging trends in sustainable livestock production.
  3. Develop and evaluate an innovation implementation strategy.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
1 - Presentation - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Written Assessment - 60%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3
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 - Presentation - 20%
2 - Written Assessment - 20%
3 - Written Assessment - 60%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Supplementary

Beef Agskills

Edition: Catalogue number: B105 (2005)
Authors: NSW Department of Primary Industries  
NSW Department of Primary Industries  
Online: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/publications/agskills Online: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/publications/agskills , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780731305872
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Beef Cattle Production and Trade

(2014)
Authors: David Cottle, Lewis Kahn
CSIRO Publishing
Collingwood Collingwood , VIC , Australia
ISBN: 9780643109889
Binding: Hardcover
Supplementary

Dairy Agskills

Edition: Catalogue number: B106 (2008)
Authors: NSW Department of Primary Industries  
NSW Department of Primary Industries  
Online: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/publications/agskills Online: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/publications/agskills , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780731306091
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Pig Agskills

Edition: Catalogue number: B737 (2010)
Authors: NSW Department of Primary Industries  
NSW Department of Primary Industries  
Online: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/publications/agskills Online: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/publications/agskills , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780731306312  
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Poultry Agskills

Edition: Catalogue number: B704 (2008)
Authors: NSW Department of Primary Industries  
NSW Department of Primary Industries
Online: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/publications/agskills Online: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/publications/agskills , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9780731306069
Binding: Paperback
Supplementary

Sheep Agskills

Edition: Catalogue number: B111 (2016)
Authors: NSW Department of Primary Industries  
NSW Department of Primary Industries  
Online: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/publications/agskills Online: https://www.tocal.nsw.edu.au/publications/agskills , NSW , Australia
ISBN: 9781742568836
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

All of the supplementary textbooks are optional resources that you may find useful when learning about livestock production. The information in these supplementary textbooks will be covered in lectures, with additional resources and suggested readings available on Moodle. The prescribed text is available (if you haven't previously purchased it) from the CQUni Bookshop.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Google Earth Pro
  • Microsft Office
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Powerpoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Zoom
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Jaime Manning Unit Coordinator
j.k.manning@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 - Introduction and global livestock production Begin Date: 09 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Unit overview, assessment requirements and livestock production overview

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 2 - Extensive livestock production A Begin Date: 16 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Extensive livestock production: sheep production (wool and meat)

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 3 - Extensive livestock production B Begin Date: 23 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Extensive livestock production: beef cattle production

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 4 - Intensive livestock production Begin Date: 30 Mar 2020

Module/Topic

Intensive livestock production: poultry (broiler and layer) and pig production

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 5 - Global livestock trends presentation Begin Date: 06 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Global livestock trends presentation

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 (Global Livestock Trends Presentation) presented in class

Global Livestock Trends Presentation Due: Week 5 Monday (6 Apr 2020) 5:00 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 13 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 - Grazing and pasture management Begin Date: 20 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Grazing and pasture management, soil, pasture and livestock interactions

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 7 - Innovations Begin Date: 27 Apr 2020

Module/Topic

Innovations and emerging technologies

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 8 - Emerging animal industries Begin Date: 04 May 2020

Module/Topic

Emerging animal industries

Chapter


Events and Submissions/Topic

Part A - Annotated Bibliography (10%)

Implementation and use of Precision Livestock Management (PLM) Technology Report Due: Week 8 Friday (8 May. 2020) 5:00 pm AEST

Week 9 - Livestock production field trip Begin Date: 11 May 2020

Module/Topic

No formal lectures this week. Instead, there is a compulsory all day field trip

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Field trip (instead of lectures)

Week 10 - Genetics Begin Date: 18 May 2020

Module/Topic

The influence of genetics

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Field Trip Report Due: Week 10 Friday (22 May 2020) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 11 - Feeding management Begin Date: 25 May 2020

Module/Topic

Feeding management and budgeting with a dairy focus

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 12 - Indigenous pastoralism and livestock production in developing countries Begin Date: 01 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Indigenous pastoralism, livestock production in developing countries

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic


Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 08 Jun 2020

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Part B - Written Assessment (50%)


Implementation and use of Precision Livestock Management (PLM) Technology Report Due: Review/Exam Week Tuesday (9 June 2020) 5:00 pm AEST
Term Specific Information

In the vacation week you are encouraged to attend the Northern Beef Industry conference and workshop in Rockhampton (15-18 April 2020)

Assessment Tasks

1 Presentation

Assessment Title
Global Livestock Trends Presentation

Task Description

Discuss global trends in a chosen livestock production industry, presented in class in the form of a powerpoint presentation.

Prepare and deliver a 15 minute presentation on the topic of "Global trends in livestock production" in class. You will be assigned a partner, choose a livestock production system and discuss the following aspects:

  • Introduce your chosen livestock production system
  • Review what is happening globally
  • Discuss a minimum of two global trends, including outlining past, present and future directions, and whether these trends are positive/negative in the context of livestock production

You will be required to answer at least one question after your presentation.

There are two parts to this assessment: presentation (15%) and peer evaluation (5%).

Further details, peer evaluation and the marking rubric will be available on Moodle.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Monday (6 Apr 2020) 5:00 pm AEST

DUE Week 5 and presented in class


Return Date to Students

Week 6 Monday (20 Apr 2020)

Grades will be returned within 10 working days after students have presented this assessment.


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%. A pass is required to pass the unit.

Assessment Criteria

You will be assessed on:

  • Clear introduction
  • The use of statistical and other information relevant to Australian and Global livestock production
  • Discussion of the information in the context of sustainable livestock production
  • Adherence to the time frame
  • Overall presentation and use of slides
  • References
  • Peer evaluation

Further details and a marking rubric will be available on the Moodle page.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Submission Instructions
Submit a copy of your presentation through Moodle in ppt or pdf format. You and your partner will be required to present your presentation together in class on Week 5.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Review global emerging trends in sustainable livestock production.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Field Trip Report

Task Description

You will be required to attend a compulsory field trip in Week 9 and complete a report (max. 1500 words) that addresses the following aspects:

  • Provide a summary (enterprise, species, environment, feeding etc.) of all properties attended during the Week 9 field trip
  • Highlight 3 challenges for each property
  • For each of the 3 challenges identify 2 strategies for improvement
  • Discuss the pros and cons of each of these strategies

Specific details of the Week 9 field trip, a copy of the field trip report and the marking rubric will be available on Moodle.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Friday (22 May 2020) 5:00 pm AEST

DUE Week 10, Friday 22 May 5:00 PM AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Monday (1 June 2020)

Grades will be returned within 10 working days after the due date.


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
50%. A pass is required to pass the unit.

Assessment Criteria

Your field trip report will be marked according to the following content:

  • Summary of the enterprises visited
  • Discussion of challenges these enterprises face
  • Identification of strategies for improvement, including the pros and cons
  • Attendance and participation in the field trip
  • Addressing all aspects of the task
  • Writing quality and structure
Specific details of the field trip properties, a copy of the field trip report and a marking rubric will be available on Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission through Moodle in .doc, .docx or pdf format.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Analyse livestock production systems and identify strategies for improvement.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Implementation and use of Precision Livestock Management (PLM) Technology Report

Task Description

Develop a plan for implementation and subsequent use of a Precision Livestock Management (PLM) technology.

This assessment has two parts:


PART A: Annotated Bibliography (10%) - due Week 8

Part A is to assist you in researching appropriate literature and preparing for your written assessment (Part B). You must select your PLM topic and find five (5) relevant and peer reviewed journal papers. Your annotated bibliography should be structured as follows:

  • Reference using Harvard (author-date)
  • A 300-500 word paragraph for your reference, including a summary, key findings and relevance to your topic

This structure should be repeated for all five (5) peer reviewed journal papers.


PART B: Written Assessment (50%) - due Review week

This assessment will be in the format of an essay (max. 3000 words) and must be supported by the use of references, including those used in Part A (annotated bibliography). Your plan should include the following aspects:

  • Selection and overview of one PLM technology
  • Develop a strategy for implementation and use of the technology in a livestock enterprise
  • Outline the impact of the technology on either the producer, enterprise or how it monitors an important aspect of the animal
  • Analyse the risks and challenges to implementation

The marking rubric and a list of appropriate PLM technologies to consider will be available on Moodle.


Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Tuesday (9 June 2020) 5:00 pm AEST

PART A DUE Week 8, Friday 8 May 5:00 PM AEST; PART BDUE Week 13/Review week, Tuesday 9 June 5:00 PM AEST


Return Date to Students

Exam Week Friday (19 June 2020)

Grades will be returned within 10 working days after submission.


Weighting
60%

Minimum mark or grade
50% A pass is required to pass the unit.

Assessment Criteria

PART A will be marked according to the following:

  • Relevance of papers
  • Correct number of papers included
  • Summary provided 
  • Summary includes key findings and relevance to topic

PART B will be marked according to the following:

  • Content, including:
    • Introduction and conclusions
    • Critical thinking
    • Innovation and relevant strategies for implementing a PLM technology
    • Addressing all aspects of the task
  • Use of references
  • Writing quality and structure
  • Presentation
Further information and a marking rubric will be available on Moodle.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submission through Moodle in .doc or .docx format.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop and evaluate an innovation implementation strategy.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

Academic Integrity Statement

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?