Study Guide

Objective

Students can plan crop rotations and cultivation techniques for grassland production, based on the conditions of a certain farm. Students can calculate feeding plans based on various forages for different farm animals in different stages of production. Students can make a farm-spesific production plan of forages.

Content

Production of different forages (pasture, whole-grain silage, grass silage, hay) and their compatibility at farm level; grassland crop rotations and plant choices; cultivation, harvesting and preservation of forages; feed value, hygienic and preservative quality and intake of forages and factors affecting them; use of forages in feeding of farm animals.

Materials

Electronically available Finnish, Swedish and English material, which is pointed out in Moodle

Teaching methods

Lectures in Teams, group work, assingment

Student workload

Total work load 135 h, of which scheduled studies 19 h, and autonomous studies 116 h

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student can make plans and calculations as well as find the information of the area, if he is quided. He can explain how to produce quality fodder. He can name means of grassland production improvement.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student can independently apply the data for the plans and calculations. He can search for the information of the area and apply it in his development proposals. He can interpret forage analyses. The student can identify the factors affecting grassland yield and quality. The student can calculate the area of grassland production based on forage need of animals.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student can independently apply the data for the plans and calculations. He can independently search for the information of the area and apply it in problem solving and in giving reasons when comparing different choices. The student can critically analyse the grassland production of the farm from different perspectives. The student can build wide knowledge based general view, where cultivation and feeding perspectives are joined.

Assessment methods and criteria

Assignments and active participation.

Qualifications

Basics of animal and plant production