The unit explores theoretical and practical technologies and innovations applicable to extensive and intensive animal and plant production systems. These technologies and innovations address current productivity and sustainability challenges and include topics such as precision farming and spray technologies, communication and decision support technologies, carbon, water and irrigation management....

The unit introduces the science behind pasture production and management and the link between pasture or other feedstuffs on animal digestion, feed and nutrient utilisation and productive performance. In the practical classes, students are given the opportunity to perform pasture assessment, assess the digestive system of ruminants, and experience the methods used to determine meat quality. The...

The unit covers the basic principles of environmental microbiology, microbial diversity and evolution. Lectures are provided on the latest techniques used in microbial ecology including coverage of advanced methods in functional analysis and genomics. A focus is placed on the role of microbes in major ecosystems including soil and the oceans and includes lectures on global cycling of nitrogen,...

In this interdisciplinary unit, students explore systems approaches to farming, wherein understanding of various components of a farm is linked to broader social, cultural, political, institutional, economic and ecological factors that influence how a farm operates. The first partof the unit introduces students to systems thinking and systems practice in a farming context. Using local and...