Agricultural Sciences
Post-bachelor certificate in Commercial Agricultural Production Agricultural Courses
Location
Vermilion
Credential
Certificate
Program Length
1 year
Choose a livestock or crops theme as you broaden your practical skill set in agricultural production.
Livestock Stream Required Courses
| AN 102 Introduction to Diseases and Treatments - 3 credits |
| This course introduces the causes of disease in farm animals, including infectious disease transmission, clinical signs, and control. The fundamentals of immunology, vaccination, and general maintenance of health are emphasized. Basic pharmacological principles, drug administration, and selected pharmaceuticals are covered. Emphasis is placed on the correct handling and administration of drugs including drug safety and withdrawal times. This course is intended to provide students with current information regarding the recognition and prevention of common diseases of farm livestock with a major emphasis on cattle (beef and dairy) and lesser emphasis on sheep, horses and bison. Common farm animal diseases are examined including their initiating causes, clinical signs, treatment and prevention. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| AN 110 Introduction to Animal Science and Business Communications - 3 credits |
| This course is designed to introduce Animal Science Technology students to the field of Animal Science by exploring specific disciplines and career paths. The course includes explanation of major livestock marketing systems such as supply management and vertical integration and discusses Canada's role in the global livestock market. A brief overview of several livestock species is also provided to give students a broad education in the scope of the livestock industry in Canada. There is also a written and oral communication component to this course. Assignments focus on agricultural topics, employment issues, and interview skills. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| AN 133 Animal Handling, Welfare and Ethics - 3 credits |
| This course is an introduction to livestock handling and restraint. Efficient and low-stress handling techniques are presented and demonstrated to promote safety of both the handler and livestock. Students are required to work with herds and flocks during the lab sessions to gain confidence and proficiency. Along with discussions on the responsibilities of livestock care providers, the topic of animal welfare is introduced and current issues are debated in class. Welfare and ethics discussions focus on production issues, but may also include the recreation, research, draft and companion animal industries. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| AN 260 Livestock Marketing and Sales - 3 credits |
| This course explores various aspects of market trends, issues, and strategies related to the marketing of livestock. The course will explore fundamentals of both sales and marketing as they relate to commercial and registered livestock operations. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| AN 327 Beef Sustainability and Technology - 3 credits |
| This course is the final of four beef production courses. This course focuses on applying what is learned in other beef production courses in the program to real life. Students analyze case studies and make decisions based on their previous knowledge they have learned about the industry and beef production. Emphasis is placed on connecting students to industry personnel through guest lectures and networking opportunities in this course. Prerequisite: AN 315. Co-requisites: None |
BA 171 Agricultural Sales - 3 credits |
| BA 171 is an examination of the personal qualities and skills required of an agricultural salesperson. The 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. Pre/co-requisites: None |
CR 188 Range & Forage Management - 3 credits |
| This course introduces the student to soil science and productivity; it focuses on plant structure and functions, grazing management and techniques for rangeland and pastures, and forage and field crop management. Pre/co-requisites: None |
You choose at least three elective courses from this list.
Livestock Stream Electives
AN 315 Beef Production - 3 credits |
| This course is designed to provide the student with a working knowledge of the beef industry in Canada. The main focus of the course is on beef cow-calf and feedlot operations. Topics include cattle types, animal handling facilities, feeding management, seasonal activities, genetics and breeding programs, economics, and marketing. Emphasis is placed on knowledge for employment and enterprise management decision-making. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| AN 320 Cow-calf Management - 3 credits |
| This course is a detailed study of a Canadian ranch operation including the day to day duties, planning and strategic management. Lecture sessions are used to investigate good management practices along with new ideas within the industry. Students are encouraged to use their own practical experience in lecture as they investigate, develop and discuss working plans that can be implemented into a current operation. Prerequisite: RF 140. Co-requisites: None |
| AN 325 Feedlot Production - 3 credits |
| This course covers common practices and guidelines of production in Western Canadian feedlots. Topics include history, induction, cattle types, feeds and feeding, economics, marketing, day-to-day management, efficiency, and future of the industry. Emphasis is placed on knowledge for employment and self-management decision-making. Prerequisite: RF 140. Co-requisites: None |
AN 330 Dairy Cattle Production - 3 credits |
| This course is a general overview of dairy production. Topics discussed include supply management, equipment and milking systems, the lifecycle of dairy cattle, the importance of milk quality and food safety and the economics of dairy production. DHI reports and their usefulness in herd management are also discussed. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| AN 331 Dairy Herd Management I - 3 credits |
| Successfully managing a profitable dairy herd requires knowledge of common diseases, their treatments and prevention. It also requires that managers monitor their herd health and production by using herd scoring systems. This course assists students to understand and effectively use all the technology available. Prerequisite: AN 330. Co-requisites: None |
| AN 332 Dairy Herd Management II - 3 credits |
| Dairy facilities can take a variety of forms. This course investigates different types of facilities, the strengths and weaknesses of each and the regulations involved in developing or expanding facilities. Managing young stock and dry cows and culling strategies will also be discussed. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| AN 335 Livestock Production Management - 3 credits |
| This course is a practical study of sheep management including breeding stock selection, marketing, feeding, housing, and predator control. Students gain experience by working with sheep on the college farm. Field trips to sheep producers in the area may be taken if permissible. Pre/co-requisites: None |
Crops Stream Required Courses
AE 300 Grain, Oilseeds and Pulse Crop Marketing - 3 credits |
| 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-requisites: None |
BA 171 Agricultural Sales - 3 credits |
| BA 171 is an examination of the personal qualities and skills required of an agricultural salesperson. The 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. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| CR 160 Plant Science & Field Crops - 3 credits |
| This course introduces the student to basic plant botany and the production of grain and oilseed crops in Western Canada. The student studies plant physiology, the major plant parts and their role in plant growth and development. The students discover what the major growth factors are for crops on the prairies and how they can affect these crops. They combine this with specific best practices for the major grain and oilseed crops of Western Canada. Pre/co-requisites: None |
CR 242 Weed & Herbicide Management - 3 credits |
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This is a course in weed biology, ecology and identification. The integration of common cultural, biological and herbicide weed management practices with the entire cropping system is discussed. Herbicide types, modes of action and responsible use of herbicides is included. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| CR 245 Insects & Diseases of Crops - 3 credits |
| This course is the study of insects and diseases of Western Canadian crops, their identification, life cycles, effects on crops, and management tactics within an IPM model. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| CR 260 Integrated Crop Management - 3 credits |
| 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. Prerequisite: Students are expected to be in the second year or third year of an Agricultural Sciences Program. Co-requisites: None |
| MR 110 Grain Harvesting Systems - 3 credits |
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This course covers all aspects of modern grain harvesting equipment. Appropriate harvest timing for various crops, the design, adjustment, and operation of the swather and of the various combine configurations are studied in the classroom, lab, and field in the appropriate season. Harvest management systems are investigated in some detail through discussion of grain conditioning, drying, straight combining, in-field grain transport systems, and other techniques. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| MR 112 Tillage & Direct Seeding Systems - 3 credits |
| 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. Pre/co-requisites: None |
| MR 142 Pesticide Application Technologies - 3 credits |
| 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. Pre/co-requisites: None |
PA 211 Applications in Precision Farm - 3 credits |
| 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. Pre/co-requisites: None |