Course Syllabus

AGTM 2830 Forage and Grazing Management

Course Description

This course helps students to analyze the factors that comprise forage growth, nutrition, soil health, forage production, grazing, monitoring, and management. Students will learn to explain the function of the various practices and their role in the economics of an operation, resource sustainability, and approaches and procedures for making management decisions.

Justification

The production of agriculture, livestock, and livestock products contribute a large amount to the state and county economy annually. This class will prepare students to manage and sustain valuable natural resources that contribute to their success as a land manager. This course will also prepare them for more advanced courses in agronomy, animal science, and natural resources.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the economics of forage and resource management.
2. Understand costs associated with resource improvements, and monitoring practices.
3. Understand basic plant physiology and function.
4. Apply management techniques for grazing and vegetation management.
5. Understand soil, plant, and animal health principles.

Course Content

Course objectives will be accomplished by providing students with the following learning experiences:
• Develop grazing and harvesting techniques to best utilize resources.
• Identify monitoring techniques and guidelines for resource viability.
• Use cost determination in developing management strategies.
• Identify forages, life cycles, development stages, and harvesting principles.
• Aerial imagery for forage and livestock (drones, satellites, etc.)
• Develop a management plan for desired economic and resource outcomes