The Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050 Course is based on a clear vision: imagine best practice farming for 2050, start to implement these strategies now, all the while making sure it will still be profitable. At UWA we're doing just that with the Future Farm 2050 Project, set on a mixed-enterprise farm in Western Australia and we want you to learn how it can be done in your part of the world.
Although this course is based on agriculture, it's not only about farming. It is a multi-disciplinary course that addresses a wide range of issues confronting the industry, including rural communities, rural infrastructure and conservation of biodiversity in agriculture.
By completing this course you will understand that feeding and clothing the planet requires a multi-disciplinary approach
and upon completion you will be able to explain best practices of sustainable farming and apply them in new contexts.
Welcome to "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". In this first week you'll be introduced to the UWA Future Farm 2050 Project, an initiative by UWA in agricultural R&D and regional engagement. The project is centred on agriculture but you'll discover that feeding the world needs a mutli-disciplinary approach, and there are a wide range of issues confronting the agricultural industry which must be addressed if we are to cope with population projections for 2050.
What's included
3 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
3 videos•Total 33 minutes
Professor Graeme Martin - Welcome to the Course and Introduction to Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050•20 minutes
360 Farm Tour•8 minutes
Introduction to Ridgefield Farm Manager - Mr Steven Wainewright•4 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
The 'UWA Future Farm 2050' Project - testing multidisciplinary options for future food production systems•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Introduction to Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050•30 minutes
Water and Soils
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
Welcome to the second week of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you will gain an understanding into the importance of soil and water and its careful management.
What's included
4 videos2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 30 minutes
Professor Graeme Martin - Introduction to Water and Soils•1 minute
Asst/Professor Matthias Leopold: Soils•8 minutes
Interview with Emeritus Professor Lynette Abbott•6 minutes
Dr Matt Hipsey: Water•14 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Optional Readings: Soil•10 minutes
Optional Readings: Water•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Week 2: Soils•30 minutes
Week 2: Water•30 minutes
Ecological Cropping
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
Welcome to Week 3 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to Ecological Cropping, and more specifically weed management and plant breeding. Effective weed management strategies, in a changing environment with increasing resistance to herbicides, has become increasingly important for crop management. In addition to these management strategies, successful cropping also depends on high yielding varieties, tolerant to a changing environment.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 58 minutes
Professor Graeme Martin - Introduction to Ecological Cropping•1 minute
Professor Stephen Powles: Cropping and Weed Management•20 minutes
Interview with Dr Ken Flower•11 minutes
Interview with Wheatbelt Farmer Shauna Stone•9 minutes
Professor Wallace Cowling: Plant Breeding•14 minutes
360 Wheat Crop Harvest•2 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Optional Readings: Ecological Cropping•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Week 2: Ecological Cropping•30 minutes
Versatile Livestock Systems
Module 4•1 hour to complete
Module details
Welcome to Week 4 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to Versatile Livestock Systems. You'll learn about the about the principles of "Clean, Green and Ethical" livestock management. This is the driving livestock management principle of the Future Farm 2050 Project. You'll also understand the risks associated with livestock production in drylands, working towards versatile systems and managing the relationship between animals and the environment.
What's included
2 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 22 minutes
Professor Graeme Martin - Introduction to Versatile Livestock Systems•1 minute
Professor Philip Vercoe: Versatile Livestock Systems•21 minutes
Welcome to Week 5 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture. You will learn about biodiversity hotpots, the impacts of clearing land for agriculture and our reliance of healthy ecosystems (ecosystems services) for survival. You will also learn about site and re vegetation planning and the integration of biodiversity into farming systems.
What's included
2 videos1 reading1 assignment
Show info about module content
2 videos•Total 16 minutes
Professor Graeme Martin: Introduction to Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture•1 minute
Ms Anne Smith: Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture•15 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
Optional Reading: Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Conservation of Biodiversity in Agriculture•30 minutes
People and Infrastructure
Module 6•2 hours to complete
Module details
Welcome to Week 6 of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050". This week you'll be introduced to the importance of People and Infrastructure for sustainable agriculture. People in regional areas face many different challenges to those residing in urban areas. The changing environment has further increased these challenges. In addition, infrastructure in regional areas is expensive to build and often not "Fit for Purpose"
What's included
4 videos2 readings2 assignments
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 31 minutes
Professor Graeme Martin: Introduction to People and Infrastructure•1 minute
Welcome to Country with Noongar Elder Gary Bennell•1 minute
Dr Susan Bailey: People•15 minutes
Mr Patrick Beale: Rural Infrastructure•14 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Optional Reading: People•10 minutes
Optional Reading: Infrastructure•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
6. People•30 minutes
6. Infrastructure•30 minutes
CONCLUSION OF COURSE
Module 7•1 hour to complete
Module details
Congratulations! You've reached the end of "Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050"
What's included
1 video1 assignment
Show info about module content
1 video•Total 2 minutes
Professor Graeme Martin - Conclusion of Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050•2 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
Final Assessment•30 minutes
Instructor
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Instructor ratings
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Learner reviews
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756 reviews
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BK
4·
Reviewed on Apr 10, 2020
good,it gives an insight about issues related to agriculture in australia and generally around the world.provides a module for future agricultural projects
S
SR
5·
Reviewed on Oct 3, 2020
The Pedagogy is really simple and easy to follow. The information and knowledge from the course is very insightful and look forward to pursuing further courses
R
RK
4·
Reviewed on Jul 26, 2020
Its really interesting knowledgeable course, to cope with the increasing demand for food production to support the growing population. In a different & renewed way.
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