Agricultural Sciences
Crop Technology - Courses
Year 1 Required Courses | CREDITS | |||||
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AE | 100 | Microeconomics | 3 | |||
This course deals with the economic principles underlying production, markets, and the national economy. Agricultural examples are used throughout. | ||||||
AE | 101 | Student Managed Farm I | 3 | |||
AE 101 introduces the student to the Lakeland College Student Managed Farm and Crop Technology Practicum. It provides students with basic principles of working in teams in a business environment. The course also introduces students to field reporting software and more complex Excel computing problem solving. | ||||||
AE | 202 | Business Records and Reporting | 3 | |||
This class is designed so students will have an understanding of the key accounting and financial concepts related to their agriculture operations. A computerized accounting system is introduced and utilized for data entry and financial statement preparation. Prerequisites: None. |
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AE | 300 | Grain, Oilseeds and Pulse Crop Marketing | 3 | |||
This course provides an in-depth analysis of both the pricing and delivery options available to the farm manager. Students learn how to analyze the grain, oilseed, and pulse crop markets. Prerequisite: AE 100. | ||||||
CO | 138 | Agricultural Communications and Computer Applications | 3 | |||
This is a course in oral and written communication as it relates to the agricultural community. Assignments focus on agricultural topics, employment issues, and interview skills. Assignments are related to activities students may encounter when they are part of the agricultural community. Labs will focus on computer skills related to Microsoft Office and other software applications. |
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CR | 160 | Plant Science and Field Crops | 3 | |||
Introduction to basic plant botany and production of grain and oilseed crops in western Canada. Study plant physiology, major plant parts and their role in plant growth and development. Discover major growth factors for crops on the prairies and how they can affect these crops. Combined with specific best practices for major grain and oilseed crops of Western Canada. | ||||||
CR | 242 | Weed and Herbicide Management | 3 | |||
This is a course in weed biology, ecology and identification. The integration of common cultural, biological and chemical weed management practices with the entire cropping system is discussed. Chemical make-up, mode of action and responsible use of herbicides is included. | ||||||
MR | 112 | Tillage and Direct Seeding Systems | 3 | |||
This course covers the related areas of tillage, seeding and fertilizing equipment. Emphasis is placed on systems common to the Western Canadian prairies. Skills are implemented to assist decision-making and problem-solving in common agricultural production situations. Course topics are studied in the classroom, the shop, and in the field if the season permits. | ||||||
MR | 142 | Pesticide Application Technologies | 3 | |||
This course provides an in-depth study of pesticide spray application equipment commonly used on prairie grain farms. Pesticide legislation, safety, health and environmental considerations are covered to assist those interested in pursuing a provincial pesticide applicator's license. Application accuracy and efficiency are emphasized, as is safe and responsible use of these pesticides. | ||||||
SO | 102 | Soil Science | 3 | |||
Study basic physical, chemical and biological properties of soils to understand how soils function as a growth medium in agriculture. Soil Orders of the Canadian System of Soil Classification relevant to field crop production in Western Canada reviewed. | ||||||
Year 2 Required Courses | CREDITS | |||||
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AE | 230 | Financial Management | 3 | |||
Learn to use concepts and tools of economics and financial management as they apply to farming. Large part consists of assignments about time principles, economic analysis, financial analysis, budgeting and other management tools. Some assignments use computer programs. Prerequisite: AE 202. | ||||||
BA | 171 | Agricultural Sales | 3 | |||
This course is an examination of the personal qualities and skills required of an agricultural salesperson. This course includes exploration of the motivations underlying the buying decision, the techniques and theory utilized in the preparation of the sales presentation, and a review of the elements of a sales plan. Role-playing and case studies are used to demonstrate sales and leadership techniques. | ||||||
CR | 216 | Diversified Crop Production | 3 | |||
This course focuses on the major agronomic practices in the management of various specialty crops. The practices include plant growth requirement, field operations, varietal considerations, and soil conservation measures. | ||||||
CR | 245 | Insects and Diseases of Crops | 3 | |||
This course focuses on the major agronomic practices in the management of various specialty crops. The practices include plant growth requirement, field operations, varietal considerations, and soil conservation measures. | ||||||
CR | 260 | Integrated Crop Management | 3 | |||
This course provides an overall view of Integrated Crop Management (ICM). ICM is a systematic approach to crop management in which many aspects of crop production are integrated to accomplish efficient crop production. Students build upon the knowledge acquired previously in the traditional disciplines of soil and plant science and move towards the goal of understanding the keys to successful, sustainable cropping systems. Prerequisites: Students are expected to be in the second year or third year of an Agricultural Sciences Program. | ||||||
MR | 110 | Grain Harvesting Systems | 3 | |||
Cover all aspects of modern grain harvesting equipment. Study design, adjustment and operation of swathers and combine configurations in classroom, lab and field in appropriate season. Investigate harvest management systems in detail through discussion of grain conditioning, drying, straight combining and other techniques. | ||||||
PA | 211 | Applications in Precision Farming | 3 | |||
This course provides an overview of precision farming techniques and the equipment used to implement these techniques. Differential Global Positioning Systems (DGPS) receivers, yield monitors, variable rate application equipment, remote sensing techniques, and field scouting computers are studied and used to collect data used for making crop planning decisions. | ||||||
SO | 242 | Fertility Management | 3 | |||
This course studies nutrient requirements for field crop production. The type of nutrients required by plants, sources of these nutrients, and methods of application are considered. Emphasis is given to understanding the chemical and physical properties of fertilizers commonly used, availability of nutrients to plants, and potential for loss of applied nutrients from the soil. Soil testing and economics of nutrient application are considered. Prerequisite: SO 102. | ||||||
CR | 260 | Integrated Crop Management | 3 | |||
This course provides an overall view of Integrated Crop Management (ICM). ICM is a systematic approach to crop management in which many aspects of crop production are integrated to accomplish efficient crop production. Students build upon knowledge acquired previously in the traditional disciplines of soil and plant science and move towards the goal of improving their agronomic management skills required to ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of a commercial cropping enterprise. Reviewing and applying the principle factors contributing to crop health (successful crop establishment, appropriate crop rotations, building yield through the application of crop genetics, and soil fertility management), students participate in real life Nutrient Management planning for the crops, field soil tests, and available manure of the College Student-Managed Farm. | ||||||
Year 2 Required Elective Courses | CREDITS | |||||
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AE | 450 | Student Managed Farm II | 3 | |||
Students integrate and apply the techniques of management in an actual operating crop farm enterprise. Students learn these techniques in a business environment by participating in the management of the Lakeland College Student-Managed Farm. Prerequisites: As all courses in the program are essential, implementation of the knowledge learned is fundamental to reaching the course learning outcomes. Successful completion (minimal pass) of all first year courses is required. | ||||||
AE | 451 | Student Managed Farm III | 3 | |||
This is the final phase of the student-managed farm activities. Students complete the financial records from the previous crop year, finalize the cropping and research plans for the upcoming year, finish marketing the previous year's crop, and begin to source seed, fertilizer and other crop inputs for spring seeding. The students complete an in-depth analysis of the student-managed farm and complete a final presentation to staff, first year students, and the general public. Prerequisite: AE450 | ||||||
AE | 460 | Industry Practicum | 3 | |||
Second-year Crop Technology students are placed in approved agricultural supply and/or production enterprise following successful completion of their first-year studies to gain practical experience in a working environment. This on-site experience is followed by 1 hr/week tutorial in the fall term of their second-year studies. P/F. | ||||||
AE | 461 | Farm/Field Management Simulation | 3 | |||
Second Year Crop Technology students who have chosen the Ag Practicum option AE460 to AE 450 (Student Managed Farm II) follow that practicum experience with this course, in which they simulate the grain storage and marketing, as well as the crop planning and budgeting activities for the upcoming crop season. Working as a team, they experience the challenges faced by farmers on an annual basis. They are graded on their proficiency at completing various time-sensitive assignments. | ||||||