Course structure

Students commencing in 2006 need to complete the following units to obtain their Diploma of Agriculture. All these units are necessary for the qualification; however units apart from these listed below that have been taken at Diploma level at other institutions may count as long as they fit into the Qualifications Package rules (available on request).

Organic soil management

Pest, disease and weed management

Certification and conversion

Whole farm planning

Organic livestock production

Organic crop production

Information sourcing

Change in agriculture

Farm business planning

Plant propagation.

Units can be taken individually.

Organic soil management

RTF 5521A Monitor and manage soils.

- Soil types

- Soil profile examination

- Soil biological life

- Soil nutrient testing

- The major cations

- Other major nutrients

- Trace elements

- Developing a fertility program

- Soil monitoring

Pest, diseases and weed management

RTE 5006A Plan and manage long-term weed, pest and/or disease control in crops.

- Pesticides

- Identification of pests and diseases

- The role of plant nutrition

- The role of ecological diversity

- Farm management strategies to decrease risk

- Controlling outbreaks of pests and diseases

- Integrated management of common pests and diseases

- Weed identification

- Weeds and soil fertility

- Weeding implements

- Management options for weed control

- Integrated control of common weeds

- Applying and monitoring treatments for pests, diseases and weeds

Organic certification and conversion

RTE 5903A Plan, implement and review a quality assurance program

- Organic standards

- The organic certification process

- Conversion strategies

- Risk management and monitoring

- The benefits of organic farming

- Organic history and principles

- Structure and history of the Australian organic movement

- Organics around the world

Whole farm planning

RTE 5516A Develop a whole farm plan.

- The whole farm plan

- Sustainability and unsustainability

- Issues of sustainability in Australia

- Water erosion

- Wind protection

- Grazing practices

- Ecology and ecosystems

- Planned ecosystems (including permaculture)

- Agroforestry

- Revegetation techniques

Organic livestock production

RTE 5103A Manage livestock production.

- Developing the production plan

- OHS and legal requirements

- Breeds and breeding of livestock

- Livestock nutrition

- Managing animal health

- Nutritional disorders

- Internal and external parasites

- Livestock diseases

- Other livestock husbandry

Organic crop production

RTE 5016A Develop production plans for crops

- General production principles

- Pastures and fodder crops

- Oil seeds and grains

- Herbs

- Vegetables

- Fruit and nuts

- Berries

- Bushfoods

- Flowers and foliage

Sourcing information

RTC 5913A Collect and manage data.

- Developing the research project

- Problems with modern science

- The use of libraries

- Survey techniques

- Interviewing techniques

- Experiments and trials

- Using the internet

- Collating and presenting information

Farm business planning

RTE 5902A Develop and review a business plan

- Goals and objectives

- Business description

- SWOT analysis

- Marketing

- Financial planning

- Business operation

Promoting change in agriculture

RTD 5802A Support group and community changes in resource management.

- Strategies for change

- Working in groups

- Industrial agriculture and world trade

- Alternative structures

- The role of governments

Plant propagation

RTF 3014A Implement a propagation plan.

- Propagating media and equipment

- Propagation by seed

- Cuttings

- Budding and grafting

- Other propagation methods

- Looking after propagated plants.