Module content
Machinery types and selection: tractors and power units, cultivation equipment, crop establishment and agronomic machinery, forage conservation machinery, crop harvesting, drying, grading and storage, dairy and livestock facilities and equipment. Farm Health and Safety legislation.
Introduction to robotic and automated technology in agriculture.
Module outcomes
To achieve credit for this module, students must be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the basic machinery, equipment and building options available for modern farming systems and appreciate their suitability for specified farming situations.
- Recognise the importance of farm safety and appreciate individual and managerial responsibilities under health and safety legislation
- Explain how the use of technology can be used to enhance farm machinery operations
Assessment
| Assessment | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Report | Individual Technical Report (Outcome 3) | 40% |
| Examination | 1 hour written examination (Outcomes 1 & 2) | 60% |
Assessments may differ in 2020/21 due to adjustments for Covid-19. Please check Gateway for the latest regulations.
Key texts
- A full resource list can be found at : https://rl.talis.com/3/rau/lists/7C896202-28CA-8375-13D1-0AD1AB53C32C.html?lang=en-GB&login=1 however key resources include:
- Barker, A.V. (2010). Science and Technology of Organic Farming. CRC Press.
- Bell, B. (2016). Farm Machinery. 6th edition. 5m Publishing
- Bell, B. and Cousins, S. (1997). Machinery for Horticulture. Farming Press Culpin, C (1992). Farm Machinery. 12th edition. Blackwell Scientific Publishers
- Davies, D.B, Eagle, D.J and Finney, J.B. (2001). Resource Management: Soil. Farming Press
- Health & Safety Executive (2006) Essentials of health and safety at work. HSE.
- WinklerPrins, A.M.G. (2017). Global Urban Agriculture. CABI
Journals
- Farmers Weekly: Farm Machinery Section
- Future Farming
- Profi Tractors and Farm Machinery
- Landwards: Journal and Proceedings of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers
Supporting texts
- Davies, D.B, Eagle, D.J and Finney, J.B. (2001). Resource Management: Soil. Farming Press
- Bell, B. and Cousins, S. (1997). Machinery for Horticulture. Farming Press.
- Barker, A.V. (2010). Science and Technology of Organic Farming. CRC Press.
- WinklerPrins, A.M.G. (2017). Global Urban Agriculture. CABI
Journals
- Farmers Weekly: Farm Machinery Section
- Profi International: Monthly publication, summary available on-line
- Landwards: Journal of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers