Outline

Overview

Livestock production systems are changing rapidly as a result of pressures to increase productivity, sustainability and profitability. These changes are further augmented by the rapid growth in new knowledge and emergence of new technologies, and changes in the diet of world populations. In this unit you will be exposed to contemporary livestock production systems through a whole-system approach integrating animals, pastures, environment, management and economics. The unit starts with a section describing the holistic approach to livestock production systems, then examines each component of the production system, and how these interact and affect each other. You will integrate concepts from animal biology and ecology, genetics, nutrition, reproduction, health and welfare, agronomy and economics. You will analyse farming systems and develop solutions to optimise production, sustainability and social goals. You will learn the use of simulation models and decision support systems, new technologies and holistic farm business analysis and planning. Computer-based and field classes will allow you to gain direct, practical experience in key areas required to work with the livestock industries in leading roles as consultants, advisors, managers or scientists in sustainable livestock enterprises

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points from (AVBS2XXX or ANSC3101 or BIOL2XXX or FOOD2000 or GEGE2X01 or GENE2001 or GENE2002 or ITLS2000)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	AGRO4005
Assumed knowledge ?	Familiarity with data analysis and animal handling
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Luciano Gonzalez, luciano.gonzalez@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Lachlan Ingram, lachlan.ingram@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Enterprise management report Case study final dossier	35%	STUVAC Due date: 31 May 2022 at 23:59	1000 words/student
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Practical report 1 Practical report on calculation of stocking rate and productivity indicator	10%	Week 03 Due date: 07 Mar 2022 at 23:59 Closing date: 14 Mar 2022	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Discussion regenerative agriculture In-class discussion on regenerative agriculture	5%	Week 05	3 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Practical report 2 Practical report on soil and pasture management	10%	Week 07 Due date: 04 Apr 2022 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Case study report 1 Report for the case study property information	10%	Week 08 Due date: 12 Apr 2022 at 23:59	500 words/student
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Practical report 3 Practical report on analysing feedlot data to estimate productivity	10%	Week 09 Due date: 26 Apr 2022 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Practical report 4 Practical report on managing the nutrition of grazing livestock	10%	Week 12 Due date: 16 May 2022 at 23:59	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Oral presentation Group presentation for case study	10%	Week 13 Due date: 24 May 2022 at 08:00	5 minutes/student
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	At HD level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.
Distinction	75 - 84	At DI level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Integrated livestock farming systems and enterprise management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Gathering and analysing data for business appraisal	Practical (3 hr)
Week 02	Holistic analysis of livestock enterprises	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Calculation of stocking rate and key productivity indicators	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	Pastures - introduction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Soil tutorial	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Pastures management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Pasture renovation and assessment practical	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Rangeland management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Regenerative agriculture	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Grazing management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Topics in pasture management	Practical (3 hr)
Week 07	Beef cattle production and management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Beef cattle productivity indicators.	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	Livestock nutrition and feeding	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Developing feed supplementation strategies for grazing animals and managing nutritional requirements	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	Animal growth and body composition	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Practical class on body composition and breeds	Practical (3 hr)
Week 10	Sheep and wool production and management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Field class: beef and wool evaluation and marketting	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	Feedlot production and management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Analysis and monitoring of feedlot cattle performance and key productivity indicators.	Practical (3 hr)
Week 12	Livestock reproduction, genetics and breeding	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Environmental and natural resource management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Presentations of the case study for all groups	Presentation (5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

The whole classes will be run online this semester

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Nutrient Requirements of Domesticated Ruminants. 2007. Primary Industries Standing Committee. Publisher: CSIRO Publishing.

The Farming Game: Agricultural Management and Marketing. 2005. Editors: Bill Malcolm, Jack Makeham, and Vic Wright. Publisher: Cambridge University Press.

Beef Cattle Production and Trade. 2014. Edited by: David Cottle and Lewis Kahn. Publisher: CSIRO Publishing.

Sheep Farming for Meat and Wool. 2010. Editors: Jane Court, Sue Hides, and John Webb-Ware. Publisher: CSIRO PUBLISHING. Achieving Sustainable Production of Sheep. 2017. SERIES Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science. EDITION 1. Editor: J. P. C. Greyling. Publisher. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing Limited.

International Sheep and Wool Handbook. 2010. D. J. Cottle. Nottingham University Press.

Grazing Management (2001). 2nd Edition. John F. Valentine. Academic Press. Hardcover. p.659. ISBN 0-12-710001-6

Range Management. Principles and Practices (2011). Sixth Edition. p.444. Jerry l. Holechek, Rex D. Pieper & Carlton H. Herbel. Prentice Hall. Paperback. p. 444. ISBN-10: 0-13-501416-6.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. investigate concepts from junior, specialised units relevant for livestock farming systems including soils, plants, and animals (e.g. nutrition, reproduction, genetics, animal body functions)
LO2. evaluate the impact of animal nutrition, health and welfare, genetics and management on the farming system
LO3. describe livestock farming systems, their components and the way these interact with each other to affect key outcomes
LO4. investigate and identify factors affecting productivity (e.g. productivity leakages), profitability, sustainability and animal welfare
LO5. develop management strategies to optimise the livestock production systems with ethical, efficient and sustainable practices
LO6. formulate and develop solutions to improve farm production systems with management plans that integrate cross-disciplinary expertise
LO7. develop communication skills that are articulate, evidence-base and appropriate for stakeholders of the livestock industries
LO8. collaborate in a multidisciplinary team to address livestock production challenges and communicate outcomes effectively to the target audience

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Q fever vaccination for field class

Risk assessment completed and signed

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

AVBS3010: Livestock Production Systems

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect