Duration
Plant science of various species involved in large scale cultivation and animal fodder production in temperate regions : 20h Th, 4h Pr
Implementing technical arrangements under real conditions : 16h Pr, 8h FT
Evaluating and optimising production systems : 10h Th, 6h Pr, 8h FT
Number of credits
| Master in agricultural bioengineering (120 ECTS) | 6 crédits |
Lecturer
Plant science of various species involved in large scale cultivation and animal fodder production in temperate regions : Bernard Bodson
Implementing technical arrangements under real conditions : Bernard Bodson
Evaluating and optimising production systems : Bernard Bodson, Benjamin Dumont
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
This module is composed of 3 cursus , for each contents are detailed
Plant science of various species involved in large scale cultivation and animal fodder production in temperate regions
* Cultivation of a root plant: sugar beet, industrial plant * Fodder productions: Permanent pasture -Temporary Pasture.
Implementing technical arrangements under real conditions
Observation and evaluation methods for soils, plants, flora and faun in agricultivated fields. Elaboration criteria for stategies and practical aspects of cultivation practices. Assesment of achievement and quality of cultivation practices. Agronomical, economical and environmental aspects of cultivation practices. Implementation of environmentally respectful cultivation practices.
Evaluating and optimising production systems
Crop productions are made in farms confronted by societal, economic, legislative and environmental contexts that are constantly changing.
These farms have various technico-economic orientations depending on pedoclimatic conditions, opportunities of prospects and speculation choices specific to the operator. It leads to contrasted production systems influencing the crop management. Analysis of some of these systems or of these components is important. Management of interculture, integration of plant and animal productions, organic farming, reduction of inputs and tillage, influence of climate change on the crops and their management, evaluation of farms durability, relationships with upstream and downstream sectors of the production are discussed.
Ways to optimise crop productions like the contribution of plant breeding, associated crops, precision farming techniques, modeling of development and crop growth are developed and analysed.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
Plant science of various species involved in large scale cultivation and animal fodder production in temperate regions
Study in more details the influence of cultivation techniques and their integration in technical pathways of different crops, cultivated in temperate region. After completing the course, the student is expected to: - Reason the production process of crops in temperate regions, according to the biology and the destination of the harvest (food, feed and non-food use); - Analyse cultivation techniques in terms of economic efficiency, product destination and environmental risks decreasing.
Implementing technical arrangements under real conditions
Develop skills for observation, analyse, problems troubleschooting in major crops.
After completing the course, the student is expected to
- Be able to observe a crop;
- Diagnose major problems;
- Plain main cultivation practices taking into account agronomical, economical and environmental aspects;
- Manage the growing of a main temperate crops
Evaluating and optimising production systems
At the end of this lecture, student must be able to:
1. Reason at farm scale the production processes of the major plant species of temperate areas taking into account the purpose of the harvested products, the agronomic, economic and environmental constraints.
2. Understand et analyse the crop production systems in temperate areas, especially at the agricultural region level.
3. Foresee critically the evolutions under various constraints that will occur in the modes of plant production.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Plant science of various species involved in large scale cultivation and animal fodder production in temperate regions
AGRO0001-1- Compared agriculture
VEGE0024-1
Géneral Crop production
Implementing technical arrangements under real conditions
AGRO0001-1 - Compared agriculture VEGE0024-1 - General Crop production
Evaluating and optimising production systems
AGRO0001-1 - Base of agriculture
AGRO0021 Base of crop science
VEGE0024-1- General crop production
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
Plant science of various species involved in large scale cultivation and animal fodder production in temperate regions
Lectures "ex cathedra" (20h) are largely illustrated with slideshows and movies; students are likely to answer questions at any times.
Diverse "popular documents", intended for a wide audience are proposed to the students.
One visit of fields and spécialized farm in fodder crops is planned (4h)
Implementing technical arrangements under real conditions
Sessions of 4 consecutive hours are given entirely on fields from the Experimental Farm, from neighbouring farmers, from experimental fields of Crop Production Unit, other Units and CRA-W.
Successive visits on the same parcel (3 or 4 times) during the growing period allow the students to observe the evolution of different crops. Teachers (B. Bodson and D.Eylenbosch) guide students and explain the reasons of these evolutions, the different possible cultivation practices on the crop and decision tools that can be used to conduct the crop.
A visit of a other specialized farm is also organise
Evaluating and optimising production systems
Lectures include four types of activities:
Five thema session (2h) with illustrated présentation by lecturer of the thema and general discussion between students managed by lecturer;
one seminar (2h) given by agronomic manager of sugar factory (Raffinerie tirlemontoise) about organisation of Belgian sugar beet production
visits of seed company, merchant and distributor company (Walagri) and two farms with inovative productions (8h excu)
two debates:
- comparison of visited farms (included in VEGE0027-A and B)
- potential évolutions of agricultural production systems in temperate region of UE
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)
Plant science of various species involved in large scale cultivation and animal fodder production in temperate regions
Face-to-Face
Attendance to the visits is required
Implementing technical arrangements under real conditions
Face-to-face
Evaluating and optimising production systems
face-to-face
Attendance to the visits and debates is required
Recommended or required readings
Plant science of various species involved in large scale cultivation and animal fodder production in temperate regions
The powerpoint proposed during lectures are given to students at end of each lecture
Internet sites of main applied research team working on these crops; list are available for students during lecture
Implementing technical arrangements under real conditions
Document copies about observation modalities and decision tools for cultivation practices will be provided to students.
Assessment methods and criteria
Evaluation of the three lectures is done together in only one oral examination
Plant science of various species involved in large scale cultivation and animal fodder production in temperate regions
Oral examination (100%)
Student evaluation is done on his ability to propose a sustainable growing crop itinerary to achieve objectives of yield and product quality.
Implementing technical arrangements under real conditions
Oral examination (100%)
Student évaluation is done on ability to reason on crop problems similar of these observed during lectures and to propose adequate growing practice for achieve good yield
Evaluating and optimising production systems
oral examination (100 %)
Student évaluation is done on his ability to analyse and understand the functioning of a farm and of vegetal production systems in our region
Work placement(s)
Organizational remarks
Plant science of various species involved in large scale cultivation and animal fodder production in temperate regions
Excursions and activities on field will be organized outside initial hours but according with all students due to bad weather conditions or disponibility of farmers and visited firms
Implementing technical arrangements under real conditions
All the session are given outdoor, on the fields. Students have to wear suitable clothing (boots, pull-over, rain-coat, ...).
Shifts between fields (within a 12 kilometers radius around Gembloux) are done by car (car-sharing). Students who might take their own car will be refund by the Crop Husbandry Unit.
Contacts
Bernard Bodsonb.bodson@ulg.ac.be
081/622140
Plant science of various species involved in large scale cultivation and animal fodder production in temperate regions
Bodson, Bernard (Professeur - Gestionnaire) Phytotechnie des Régions tempérées 081 62 21 40 b.bodson@ulg.ac.be
Implementing technical arrangements under real conditions
Bodson, Bernard (Professeur - Gestionnaire) Phytotechnie des Régions tempérées 081 62 2140 b.bodson@ulg.ac.be
Evaluating and optimising production systems
Bernard Bodsonb.bodson@ulg.ac.be
081/622140