Agricultural Management Certificate of Higher Education

The course is made up of seven units, covering technical and managerial aspects of modern agriculture. Students will learn by a combination of different practical and theoretical methods. Practical methods will include farm-based investigations, fieldwork, workshop practicals and visits. Theoretical methods will mainly involve lectures, seminars and demonstrations. Agricultural Budgeting: introduces students to the principles of budgeting for agriculture, through the Gross Margin system of costings. On completion of this unit the student should be able to prepare budgets for themselves or a prospective landlord or lender. Agriculture Business and Policy: shows how EU schemes for agriculture are applied, determines the costs of owning and operating machinery, employing staff, marketing of agricultural products, and evaluates different types of business structure. Dairy Cow Breeding and Nutrition: covers the performance and development of the dairy cow, including the factors involved in feeding and breeding. Finance and Accounts: gives the students an understanding of the main sources of finance and how to evaluate them, preparation of accounts and the operation of the main taxes. Veterinary Studies: covers general animal health and allows the students to make management judgements concerning animal health. Grass and Forage Crop Production: includes the establishment, maintenance and utilisation of grass and forage crops. It enables the students to evaluate the different crops in terms of production and utilisation. Grass and Forage Crop Mechanisation: covers the operation and use of machinery in the production, maintenance and harvesting of grass and forage crops. This course is delivered via a combination of different practical and theoretical methods; practical methods will include farm-based investigations, fieldwork, workshop practicals and visits; theoretical teaching methods will mainly involve lectures, seminars and demonstrations.