AP1A25-Agriculture in Practice

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:4
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Dr Laurence Smith
Email: l.g.smith@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The module will help you to understand the importance of agricultural systems for supplying our food, delivering ecosystem services and supporting the rural economy. You will have the opportunity to visit a range of different farm types, businesses and systems across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire. In addition, you will be encouraged to engage in a series of activities to develop team spirit and a set of research skills that involve academic writing, data analysis, data visualisation and discussion of the scientific findings. The module is relevant to future farmers, farm managers and rural entrepreneurs.

Aims:

• To develop an understanding of a range of farming systems, types of farm management practices and agricultural businesses


• Introduce the concept of rural entrepreneurship and guide students in the development of innovative business structures and ventures


• To provide students with a range of opportunities to discuss with farm managers and professionals in the area alternative methods of marketing their produce


• To allow students to evaluate and discuss current research in agriculture and farm business management


• To develop a set of transferable to the industry skills (developing presentation skills, written and oral communication skills, build team working skills and develop familiarity with the use of information technology on the field and in classroom).


• To introduce students into research methods design and to help them identify and use the appropriate statistical methods to solve a range of problems relating to business, economics and agronomic applications

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:

• Compare a range of farming systems in relation to their physical, social and economic attributes;


• Critically evaluate the impact of different crop management and animal husbandry practices into the production performance of the farming system;


• Develop formative, well-argued views on selected topical issues affecting agriculture, rural communities and the c ountryside;


• Understand the breadth and diversity of agriculture systems and how they fit into the rural economy and business environment.

During the farm visits students have the opportunity to learn more about farming activities and to acquire new skills and knowledge in agricultural and farm business science on the field by observing, engaging and discussing their experience with farm managers and professionals. The module aims to educate and pr ovide the skills to prospective farmers and entrepreneurs for proficiency in managing their farming systems and production methods.

Additional outcomes:

Upon completion of the module, students will have developed a series of employability skills;

• Report writing – developing the ability to critically assess and analyse a problem


• Presentation skills – developing skills in presenting oral reports and debating


• Analytical thinking – developing reasoning and appraisal skills


• Interaction with other students and business managers – developing team work and communication skills


• Interpersonal skills – developing skills in purposive questioning

The students, will be able to provide illustrative examples of the different management practices applied by farming systems in the UK and incorporate them in the concepts of agricultural intensification, animal welfare, limited natural resources, biodiversity, integrated pest management in sustainable agriculture and rural entrepreneurship.

Outline content:
Students will visit a range of farm businesses, the hosts of the visits will be the farm owners/managers, or site directors. The visits include:
􀀕 Arable and livestock enterprises
􀀕 Field scale vegetable growers
􀀕 Mixed