Module Code - Title:

FT4458 - FOOD PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Year Last Offered:

2021/2

Hours Per Week:

Lecture

2

Lab

0

Tutorial

2

Other

0

Private

2

Credits

3

Grading Type:

N

Prerequisite Modules:

Rationale and Purpose of the Module:

To give students a general understanding of agricultural production in Ireland. To give students an appreciation of the factors influencing the production of novel crops and their subsequent utilisation.

Syllabus:

[Soils and plant nutrition]; soil composition, physical chemical and biological properties. [Fertiliser use]. [Production of conventional and novel crops including crops for biomass use]. [Grassland and grazing], grazing systems, grass conservation. [Milk and meat production], rearing and management of cattle, sheep and pigs, production systems. [Effects of production methods on post-harvest and processing quality].

Learning Outcomes:

Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)

Discuss and the describe the major soil types use for food production in Ireland. Describe the use of fertilisers in food production systems in Ireland and discuss the cycling of nutrients in soil. Describe the management systems used for the production of conventional and novel crops in Ireland. Discuss the nature of grasslands in Ireland and their management for grazing and forage. Discuss the primary systems used for milk and meat production in Ireland. Identify the effects of production methods on post-harvest and processing quality.

Affective (Attitudes and Values)

Appreciate the complexity and nature of food production systems in Ireland

Psychomotor (Physical Skills)

N/A.

How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:

The module will be taught through a series of lectures and tutorials.

Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):

Prime Texts:

1 .R.J.Soffe (2002) The Agricultural Notebook, 20th Edition , Blackwell Science, Oxford.

2 N.C.Brady and R.R.Weil (2001) The Nature and Properties of Soils (13th Edition) , Prentice Hall, New Jersey.

Other Relevant Texts:

Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:

Semester - Year to be First Offered:

Spring - 09/10

Module Leader:

ken.byrne@ul.ie