Overview
In this unit you will be introduced to the vast number of industries that support food production in Australia including livestock, cropping and horticulture. You will learn about the principles and practices of crop production as well as animal genetics, nutrition and reproduction. You will explore synergies between these industries and how technology can be used to improve production whilst improving profitability and environmental sustainability. Further, current and global trends will be investigated, in conjunction with new and emerging industries and issues affecting industry development.
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 2 - 2021
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 Have Your Say
Expectations of this unit were clear
Ensure ample time is spent going through the unit and assessment requirements, and pop in assessment help sessions are made available throughout the term.
Feedback from Have Your Say
Lectures and tutorials were engaging and enjoyable
Continue using polling software during lectures (e.g., PollEverywhere) to maintain student engagement, participation and enjoyment.
Feedback from Have Your Say
The ability to interact with commercial programs made the unit topics relatable and engaging
Continue to incorporate as many practical sessions with commercial programs as possible (e.g., Cibo Labs to determine pasture availability for grazing animals) to give student real world examples and learning opportunities. Maintain industry connections to ensure a guest lecture can deliver content where possible.
- Critically evaluate global emerging trends in food production
- Develop and evaluate an implementation strategy for innovations in food production utilising technology, data collection and analysis
- Analyse food production systems and identify strategies for improvement.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | |
1 - Portfolio - 20% | |||
2 - In-class Test(s) - 30% | |||
3 - Portfolio - 50% |
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 - Portfolio - 20% | ||||||||||
2 - In-class Test(s) - 30% | ||||||||||
3 - Portfolio - 50% |
Textbooks
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
Beef Cattle Production and Trade
(2014)
Authors: David Cottle, Lewis Kahn
CSIRO Publishing
Collingwood Collingwood , VIC , Australia
ISBN: 9780643109889
Binding: Hardcover
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
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
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
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
Please access the eReading list on Moodle
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsft Office
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Microsoft Word
- Camera and microphone for attending Zoom tutorials and completing presentation assessment task
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
h.pooley@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Unit overview, assessment requirements and global food production overview
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Grain crops and grazing stubbles
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Extensive livestock production: beef cattle production
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Global trends in food production presentations and an introduction into innovations in food production
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Global trends in food production presentation Part B - Peer evaluation Due: Vacation week Friday (20 Aug 2021) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Aquatic plants to Aquaculture
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Intensive livestock production: poultry (broiler and layer) and pig production
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical portfolio Part A - Data collection and analysis Due: Week 8 Thursday (9 Sept 2021) at the conclusion of the residential school
Module/Topic
Horticulture
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Dairy production
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Practical portfolio Part B - Annotated bibliography Due: Week 10 Friday (24 Sept. 2021) 5:00 PM AEST
Module/Topic
Pulses and Spices
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Specialised Food Industries summary and in-class test
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Portfolio
This assessment has two parts:
Part A – Group presentation (15%)
Discuss global trends in a chosen food production system (livestock, aquaculture, cropping, horticulture) presented in class with the aid of a powerpoint presentation.
Prepare and deliver a 15 minute presentation on the topic of "Global trends in food production" in class. You will be assigned a partner, choose a food production system and present it in the following format:
- Introduction to your chosen food production system
- A review of what is happening globally for your chosen food production system
- A discussion of a minimum of two global trends, including outlining past, present and future directions, and whether these trends are positive/negative in the context of the chosen food production system
You will be required to answer at least one question after your presentation, and you will be required to ask at least one question of another group presenting.
Part B – Peer evaluation (5%)
After Part A - Group presentation, you will evaluate your assigned partner based on their:
- Attendance to group meetings
- Contribution to the fair share of the work
- Completion of the work on time and accurately
- Dependability
The peer evaluation will be available on Moodle.
Marking rubrics will be available on Moodle.
Part A DUE Week 5 Wednesday (11 Aug. 2021) 9:00 AM AEST and presented in class; Part B DUE Vacation week Friday (20 Aug. 2021) 5:00 PM AEST
Grades will be returned within 10 working days.
Part A - Group presentation will be assessed on:
- Clear introduction
- The use of statistical and other information relevant to Australian and Global food production
- Discussion of the information in the context of food production
- Adherence to the time frame
- Overall presentation and use of slides
- References
Part B - Peer evaluation marks are awarded for their team member's:
- Attendance to group meetings
- Contribution to the fair share of the work
- Completion of the work on time and accurately
- Dependability
Further details and marking rubrics will be available on the Moodle page.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Ethical practice
- Critically evaluate global emerging trends in food production
2 Portfolio
This assessment has two parts:
PART A – Data collection and analysis (20%)
Part A relates to the residential school, where you will be required to collect and analyse data and complete a series of activities. A copy of the residential school practical portfolio will be available on Moodle.
PART B – Annotated Bibliography (30%)
You must select an innovation for a food production system of your choice and find six (6) relevant and peer reviewed journal papers. Your annotated bibliography should be structured as follows:
- Reference using Harvard (author-date)
- A 500-700 word paragraph for your reference, including a summary, key findings and evaluation of the innovation on either the producer, enterprise or how it monitors an important aspect of the animal/crop.
This structure should be repeated for all six (6) peer reviewed journal papers.
The marking rubric will be available on Moodle.
Part A DUE Week 8 Thursday (9 Sept. 2021) at the conclusion of the residential school; Part B DUE Week 10 Friday (24 Sept. 2021) 5:00 PM AEST
Grades will be returned within 10 working days.
PART A - Data collection and analysis will be marked according to the following:
- Attendance, participation and completion of the residential school
- Correct responses to questions and submission of the residential school practical portfolio
PART B - Annotated Bibliography 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
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Ethical practice
- Develop and evaluate an implementation strategy for innovations in food production utilising technology, data collection and analysis
3 In-class Test(s)
The in-class test will consist of multiple choice, short response and case study questions related to content delivered during all lectures and tutorials throughout the term. It will be conducted during the tutorial session of Week 12, online through Moodle. Once the online test has commenced, it must be submitted within 3 hours.
Week 12 Wednesday (6 Oct 2021) 11:59 pm AEST
The in-class test will be conducted during the tutorial session of Week 12, online through Moodle
Grades will be returned within 10 working days.
Marks are based on correct responses to questions.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Ethical practice
- Critically evaluate global emerging trends in food production
- Analyse food production systems and identify strategies for improvement.
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.