Key facts
UNE unit code: AGSY300
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Trimester 1 - On Campus
- Trimester 1 - Online
- Armidale Campus
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 6
Unit information
In this unit you will focus on the interaction between plant systems and the grazing animals that use them, to explore key aspects of grazing systems and best practice pasture and grazing management.
You will explore diverse grazing environments from southern Australia’s productive temperate environment, mixed farming systems using pasture as a rotation in western and southern districts, to the extensive rangeland and savannah country of northern Australia.
You will examine plant systems used for grazing animals, including pasture ecology, fertilisation, biomass assessment, forage conservation, pests, diseases, irrigation, grazing management and sustainability.
The unit also covers grazing animal nutrition and management in depth, including supplementation programs and matching animal demands with pasture productivity.
You will discuss global issues in grassland management, from New Zealand’s highly productive and intensively managed dairy pastures to the harsh conditions of the USA’s Chihuahuan Desert rangelands.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Trimester 1 | On Campus, Armidale Campus |
| Trimester 1 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
| Start | Finish | Duration | Attendance | Offerings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TBA | TBA | 3 days | Mandatory Intensive School | Trimester 1, Online | The intensive school is mandatory for online students. |
Enrolment rules
Notes
Students are advised that this unit requires access to good internet connectivity as there are numerous video recordings of lectures and practical sessions along with a number of exercises undertaken using software that must be downloaded from the internet.This unit requires high data usage plans.
The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a theoretical understanding of sustainable pasture production using the soil, plant and animal sub-systems that make up grazing systems across Australia and the globe;
- explain the various limitations to the productivity of grazing feed-base and integrate soil, plant and animal management for sustainable production;
- evaluate the seasonal productivity of grazing feed-base and match feed supply with grazing animal requirements, provide a coherent description of supplementation programs and communicate these to a range of audiences;
- use a range of practical techniques and computer based decision support technologies to facilitate pasture and grazing management; and
- evaluate best practise management strategies and techniques being applied in a range of grazing animal systems.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consultancy Briefing - Assurance Task | Yes | 20% | All offerings | A consultancy briefing which includes pre-submission of a 500-word summary plus follow-up oral examination of proposed plan. No. Words: 1000 equivalent To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across Final Examination - Assurance Task, and Consultancy Briefing - Assurance Task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Final Examination - Assurance Task | Yes | 50% | All offerings | There is a supervised exam at the end of the teaching period in which you are enrolled. The exam will be offered online with supervision via webcam and screen sharing technology. Coordinated by UNE Exams Unit. To pass this unit, you must achieve a minimum cumulative total of 50% across Final Examination - Assurance Task, and Consultancy Briefing - Assurance Task, and meet all other passing requirements in the unit. |
| Online Quizzes | No | 10% | All offerings | A sequence of online quizzes relating to lecture material. No. Words: 250 each equivalent |
| Practical | Yes | All offerings | The School of Environmental and Rural Science considers all practical/laboratory/tutorial activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical/laboratory/tutorial classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence. | |
| Scientific Report | Yes | 20% | All offerings | A scientific report describing experimental grazing data.
|
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Note: Recommended material may be held in the University Library — purchase is optional.
Pasture Production and Management
ISBN: 9780909605858
Lovett, J.V. and Scott, J.M. (eds), Inkata Press 3rd ed. 1997
Text refers to: All offerings
Grazing Management
ISBN: 9786611027292
Vallentine, J.F., Academic Press 2nd ed. 2001
Text refers to: All offerings
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