Sustainable nutrient cycles on farms (3 cr)

Evaluation scale

1-5

Objective

Student has an overall view on sustainable nutrient use on farms and is able to deepend the previous knowledge via practical exercises. Student can manage carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles and are able to apply the knowledge into planning of plant production, animal feeding and forest management. The student can optimize the use of circular ferilisers and the practices of carbon farming as well as the modern methods of processing, storage and use of manure and other biomasses as a part of their cultivation and environmental conservation. The student knows how to influence the nutrient content of manure and the methane production of ruminants. The student can scrutinise the nutrient and methane emissions defined in different ways and the connections of manure treatment to animal welfare.

Content

Carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in nature, fields, forests and on farm.
The environmental impact of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in water, soil and atmosphere.
Practices of nutrient use efficiency and nutrient cycling optimization in plant and animal husbandry as well as in forest management.

Materials

Electric material in Moodle, in finnish and in english

Teaching methods

online teaching, sessions are recorded. Independent and group work exercises.

Exam schedules

Moodle-tentti opintojakson alkupuolella. yksi uusintamahdollisuus.

Student workload

Total work load 81 h: online teaching 6 h, contact teaching (possibility) 6 h, exercise and group work 50 h, independent studies 16, exam 2 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student can describe nutrient cycles and define the practices by which the nutrient use efficiency can be enhanced in crop production, animal husbandry and forest management. The student can recognise the preconditions of the use of circular fertilisers and nutrient rich biomasses and can describe the practices of carbon farming. The student can describe the environmental impact of nutrients as well as the farming practices by which these impacts can be minimized. The student can describe how to influence on the nutrient content of manure and the methane production of ruminants. The student can identify the different methods for nutrient and methane emission determinations as well as the connections of manure treatment to animal welfare.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student can explain nutrient cycles and describe the practices by which the nutrient use efficiency can be enhanced in crop production, animal husbandry and forest management. The student can plan the practices for the use of circular fertilisers and nutrient rich biomasses as well as the practices of carbon farming. The student can explain the environmental impact of nutrients as well as the farming practices by which these impacts can be minimized. The student can argue how to influence on the nutrient content of manure and the methane production of ruminants. The student can consider the different methods for nutrient and methane emission determinations as well as the connections of manure treatment to animal welfare.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student can interpret nutrient cycles and analyse the practices by which the nutrient use efficiency can be enhanced in crop production, animal husbandry and forest management. The student can compare the use of circular fertilisers and nutrient rich biomasses and can apply into practice the methods of carbon farming. The student can analyse the environmental impact of nutrients as well as the farming practices by which these impacts can be minimized. The student can apply into practice how to influence on the nutrient content of manure and the methane production of ruminants. The student can utilize the different methods for nutrient and methane emission determinations as well as the connections of manure treatment to animal welfare.

Qualifications

Basics of professional studies.The other circular economy studies. The student advisor will recommend optional programme components for each student based on their individual study plan.