Syllabus
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Unit 1: Agricultural systems
Topic 1: Agricultural enterprises A
Unit 1: Agricultural systems > Topic 1: Agricultural enterprises A
- Recall the difference between open, closed and isolated systems in terms of the flow of energy and matter
- Describe agriculture as a system that is made up of inputs, outputs, boundaries, subsystems, processes, interactions, feedback and monitoring
- Describe the features of both intensive and extensive animal and plant industries
- Identify the important animal and plant enterprises in local and regional areas of Queensland as well as those of national significance
- Identify and describe physical resources, including soil, water, machinery, infrastructure and human and biological resources (including animals and plants) of an agricultural enterprise
- Identify and describe different business structures for property, including partnerships, companies, land tenure, family farms and succession
- Identify and describe examples of employment and economic opportunities in agricultural production systems across a range of industries
- Analyse secondary data from sources such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) or the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) to compare the features (including land use, employment numbers and gender, level of input ($/ha), yield and industry values) of major and minor industries.
Topic 2: Animal production A
What is an agricultural animal?
Unit 1: Agricultural systems > Topic 2: Animal production A > What is an agricultural animal?
- Identify the different types of agricultural production animals
- Define animal husbandry
- Define the term breed in terms of agriculture
- Identify a range of agricultural animals of regional significance
- Recognise the adaptive physical features of different types of agricultural animals for their natural environments (e.g. features of Bos taurus indicus versus Bos taurus taurus for cattle production in tropical climates)
- Explain and compare the physical characteristics of different types of agricultural animals and relate them back to their environment/feeding behaviour.
Animal anatomy and physiology
Unit 1: Agricultural systems > Topic 2: Animal production A > Animal anatomy and physiology
- Recall and describe the functions of the main organelles in animal cells, including plasma membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, ribosomes
- Recall and describe the hierarchical structure of organisation of cells, tissues, organs and systems. Refer to systems of hindgut includer but are not limited to, the digestive, reproductive and musculoskeletal systems
- Define and describe the terms monogastric and ruminant
- Identify and describe the function of the main structures within the monogastric and ruminant digestive systems including teeth, oesophagus, stomach, rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum, small and large intestine, caecum, rectum and anus
- Identify and describe the function of accessory digestive organs, including tongue, salivary glands, pancreas, liver and gall bladder
- Identify and describe the main structures and function of a mammalian and one other agricultural animal reproductive system, including both male and female systems
- Identify and describe the main structures of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments.
- Mandatory practical: Investigate and compare the digestive systems of a monogastric and a ruminant animal, using real or virtual examples.
Animal reproduction
Unit 1: Agricultural systems > Topic 2: Animal production A > Animal reproduction
- Identify, and explain the factors that affect reproduction in agricultural animals (i.e. genetics, environment, nutrition, pests and disease and management)
- Describe and explain the function and interaction of reproductive hormones (i.e. testosterone, oestrogen, progesterone, prostaglandin, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and oxytocin) in agricultural animals
- Analyse primary or secondary reproductive data for agricultural production animals to compare the link between reproduction and other external factors.
Genetics and inheritance of traits (animals/plants)
Unit 1: Agricultural systems > Topic 2: Animal production A > Genetics and inheritance of traits (animals/plants)
- Describe a dihybrid cross and polygenic inheritance
- Explain the effect of environment and genotype on the phenotype of an animal
- Discuss how an animal producer can modify or control the environment to have less of an impact on an animal's phenotype
- Describe and explain the impact of heritability on breeding programs with the use of a heritability table of data
- Describe the phenomenon known as hybrid vigour or heterosis.
- Mandatory practical: Assess phenotypic variation in agricultural products and evaluate this data to make judgments about market suitability.
Animal breeding and reproductive technologies
Unit 1: Agricultural systems > Topic 2: Animal production A > Animal breeding and reproductive technologies
- Describe and explain breeding systems that are important to animal production, including crossbreeding, line breeding, continuous and seasonal breeding
- Define and describe animal genetic tools, including breed plans and estimated breeding values (EBV)
- Compare advantages and disadvantages of using different genetic tools, including breed plans and EBVs to assist in improving animal production
- Describe assisted animal reproductive technologies and management techniques, including artificial insemination and embryo transfer in terms of oestrus synchronisation, superovulation and embryo harvest
- Discuss and evaluate advanced animal reproductive technologies, including cloning and genetic engineering.
- Mandatory practical: Analyse representations of both qualitative and quantitative data to make decisions about selection of breeding stock for specific breeding objectives.
Topic 3: Plant production A
Agricultural plants
Unit 1: Agricultural systems > Topic 3: Plant production A > Agricultural plants
- Identify the different types of agricultural and horticultural production plants, including grasses, legumes, fibre crops, fruit, nuts, vegetables and ornamentals
- Recall the six main anatomical parts of a plant, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds
- Apply a plant classification system
- Define the terms monocotyledon and dicotyledon
- Describe the physical characteristics of plants that belong to monocots and dicots
- Define the terms species, variety and cultivar
- Identify and classify: a range of agricultural plants of regional importance.
Plant anatomy and physiology
Unit 1: Agricultural systems > Topic 3: Plant production A > Plant anatomy and physiology
- Recall and describe the level of organisation from individual cells to plant systems
- Recall and describe the functions of the main cellular structures of plant cells, including cell wall, cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, mitochondria, chloroplasts, vacuoles and ribosomes
- Describe and explain the process of photosynthesis (and the role of chloroplasts)
- Describe and explain the process of cellular respiration (and the role of mitochondria)
- Describe the main tissue types found in plants, including vascular (xylem and phloem) and meristematic (apical and lateral meristems)
- Describe and explain the process of transpiration
- Identify and explain the factors that influence photosynthetic and respiration processes
- Evaluate photosynthetic and respiration processes and how they may be used to increase production in an agricultural enterprise
- Identify and describe the function of the main structures associated with the reproductive system in plants, including pistil, stamen, stigma, style, ovary, anther and sepal.
- Mandatory practical: Conduct an investigation into either respiration or photosynthesis.
Plant growth and development
Unit 1: Agricultural systems > Topic 3: Plant production A > Plant growth and development
- Identify and describe the range of factors including nutrition, genetics, climate and weather, disease and management practices that influence plant growth and development
- Describe and explain a life cycle for a selected regionally significant agricultural crop (i.e. germination, vegetative and reproductive growth stages)
- Compare and discuss the stages of development (germination, vegetative and reproductive growth stages) in different plants
- Identify and describe (at a basic level) the function of hormones involved in plant growth, reproduction and fruit ripening growth hormones as an example (e.g. gibberellins)
- Analyse and evaluate primary or secondary data in relation to factors affecting plant growth and development (e.g. germination, vegetative and reproductive growth stages)
- Define tropism
Plant nutrition
Unit 1: Agricultural systems > Topic 3: Plant production A > Plant nutrition
- Describe how tropisms, including phototropism, geotropism, thigmotropism and hydrotropism, can affect plant production.
- Identify the major nutrients (i.e. carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur) and minor nutrients (i.e. boron, iron, molybdenum, zinc, copper, chlorine, cobalt and manganese) that are required for plants to achieve optimum growth and development
- Understand the difference between major and trace amounts in terms of quantity of nutrient required by a plant
- Recognise deficiencies and toxicities of major and minor nutrients by visual or chemical analysis
- Describe how deficiencies or toxicities can cause changes in plant growth and development
- Analyse and compare commercial fertiliser labels
- Calculate fertiliser application rate for a given area
- Mandatory practical: Determine the appropriate fertiliser application type and rate for a given situation (e.g. crop) to use on agricultural plants (e.g. a school market garden). Collect and analyse data in response to the application type and rate (i.e. record measurements for height/yield).
Unit 2: Resources
Topic 1: Management of renewable resources
Managing ecosystems and renewable resources
Unit 2: Resources > Topic 1: Management of renewable resources > Managing ecosystems and renewable resources
- Recall and describe the cycling of nutrients (including water, carbon and nitrogen)
- Identify and describe renewable resources, including water, edible biota, biofuels and forestry products
- Explain how ecosystems and their management contribute to the development and use of a range of products and services in an agricultural context - harvestable resources, including water, edible biota, biofuels and forestry products - renewable resources, including provisioning of food, fibre, fuel, water and pharmaceuticals for human and veterinary use and consumption - regulating services, including carbon sequestration and climate control - supporting services, including nutrient and water cycling, air and water purification
- Explain how agricultural industries can be managed, through consideration of legislative requirements relevant to aesthetics, air quality, biodiversity and effluent management, to reduce their impact on other ecosystems.
Use of renewable resources
Unit 2: Resources > Topic 1: Management of renewable resources > Use of renewable resources
- Describe current renewable resource consumption trends (including two of the following: food, fibre, forestry, fisheries or water) and evaluate their sustainability in relation to national and global population growth
- Describe traditional Aboriginal methods and Torres Strait Islander methods of sustainable harvesting and management of Australian biota
- Explain how the availability and quality of fresh water at a local and regional level is influenced by - human activities, including provisioning of dams, urbanisation, resource extraction and pollution - natural processes, including salinity, siltation, drought and algal blooms - government policy (i.e. water buybacks) - water use efficiency measures on farms
- Analyse secondary data to evaluate the use of biota.
Topic 2: Physical resource management
Soil properties and classification
Unit 2: Resources > Topic 2: Physical resource management > Soil properties and classification
- Describe Australian soils and their general characteristics, including old, nutrient poor, geologically stable and structurally unstable
- Describe a typical soil profile, including A, B, C and D horizons
- Describe and explain the following properties of soil biological, including organic matter, invertebrates and humus physical, including soil texture, soil structure, porosity, infiltration, water holding capacity, compaction chemical, including pH, cation exchange capacity, nutrient levels and nutrient availability
- Classify soils based on their biological, chemical and physical properties using identification keys and the Australian Soil Classification (Isbell 2016) system for identification of soils
- Explain how the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil are a good indicator of soil health and connected agricultural productivity
- Define and apply a land use classification system
- Identify and describe technologies that are used to assess land capability.
Climate and weather
Unit 2: Resources > Topic 2: Physical resource management > Climate and weather
- Define the terms weather and climate
- Identify and explain climatic factors (including temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind, evaporation, radiation) and how they influence agricultural production
- Explain how climatic factors may be modified in agriculture (through the use of either greenhouses, hail netting, shade structures, barns and sheds) to produce microclimates that are better suited to production (e.g. greenhouses, hail netting, shade structures, sheds)
- Compare the causes and effects of El Nino and La Nina at local and global levels, including the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)
- Analyse secondary weather and climate data about El Nino and La Nina patterns and make reasoned decisions about the effect on agricultural production
- Identify and discuss extreme weather events and their impact on agricultural production
- Analyse management strategies for extreme weather events of regional significance
- Identify the possible causes of climate change
- Explain the possible effects of climate change on future agricultural production.
- Mandatory practical: Measure climatic variables (including temperature, rainfall, humidity and wind speed) at different locations and compare the suitability of these locations for animal and/or plant production.
Topic 3: Agricultural management, research and innovation
Enterprise management
Unit 2: Resources > Topic 3: Agricultural management, research and innovation > Enterprise management
- Identify and describe factors affecting property management decisions, including sources of risk associated with agricultural production (e.g. workplace health and safety, natural hazards and economics) market suitability (in terms of consumer trends, sustainability of product, environmental suitability, location to markets and processing options) chemical usage environmental and geographic factors animal welfare requirements human resources availability of technology and technological expertise financial considerations.
- Identify and describe management practices (e.g. crop rotation, cell grazing, paddock rotation, water harvesting).
Developments in agricultural technologies
Unit 2: Resources > Topic 3: Agricultural management, research and innovation > Developments in agricultural technologies
- Explain what the research and development process involves in an agricultural context
- Identify a range of existing and emerging technologies
- Describe and evaluate two existing and/or emerging technologies that may assist across agricultural enterprises. Consider issues (e.g. funding sources, patents, plant breeders' rights, animal welfare and legislation) related to the research and development of the chosen technology.
Adopting technologies in agriculture
Unit 2: Resources > Topic 3: Agricultural management, research and innovation > Adopting technologies in agriculture
- Investigate an existing or emerging technology for an agricultural enterprise using a case study approach to solve an issue. The case study should include the following steps: identify, and explain the issue identify and analyse possible technological solutions evaluate the impact of the technologies in terms of environmental, financial and social factors determine the best technological solution for the issue justify the reasons for adopting the chosen technology.
Unit 3: Agricultural production
view_agenda query_statsTopic 1: Animal production B
view_agenda query_statsAnimal production
view_agenda query_statsUnit 3: Agricultural production > Topic 1: Animal production B > Animal production
- Recall the different types of agricultural production animals
- Recall definitions for animal husbandry and breed
- Recall a range of regionally significant agricultural animals
- Recall physical characteristics of different breeds of animals and how they relate to the environment and/or feeding behaviour of the animal
- Define and describe the range of factors that influence animal production nutrition genetics climate and weather disease management practices.
Animal nutrition
view_agenda query_statsUnit 3: Agricultural production > Topic 1: Animal production B > Animal nutrition
- Define and describe the components of nutrition, including uses and types of food, digestibility and palatability, diet and ration
- Identify the main nutrients (i.e. carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water) required by agricultural animals and their function in body systems
- Describe the physiological process of digestion, including protein, carbohydrates and fats
- Describe the microscopic organisms (i.e. bacteria, protozoa and anaerobic fungi) found in ruminant digestive systems and the function they play in animal nutrition
- Compare and analyse feed labels (e.g. chick starter, pullet grower, laying mash/pellets) for different agricultural animals at various growth or production stages. Consider the nutritional requirements based on demand (e.g. exercise level, maintenance and reproductive requirements) for the chosen examples
- Construct a labelled diagram to show metabolic pathways, including energy flows such as gross, digestible, metabolisable, net, maintenance and production energy
- Describe protein metabolism in ruminants and explain its importance to animal production with reference to protein sources, including microbial protein, crude protein, and non-protein nitrogen
- Describe the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats and their uptake in both monogastric and ruminant digestive systems
- Describe energy metabolic pathways
- Discuss the impact that animal nutrition can have on the quality and quantity of product from an animal
- Analyse data about the nutritional content of animal food (including crude protein (CP), metabolisable energy (ME) and dry matter (DM)) to make decisions about animal rations
- Calculate and analyse feed conversion ratios for different animals.
Animal growth and development
view_agenda query_statsUnit 3: Agricultural production > Topic 1: Animal production B > Animal growth and development
- Define animal growth and development
- Identify and describe the principles that underpin animal growth and development
- Identify and describe the factors, including nutrition, genetics, animal health and management, that will affect animal growth and development
- Describe and compare the different stages of growth and development, including conception, birth, puberty and maturity, using a variety of visual representations
- Analyse primary and/or secondary data to compare relative growth rates at different stages of an animal's development
- Identify different markets for animals (i.e. domestic and export)
- Define and describe market specifications (e.g. Meat Standards Australia (MSA), Authority for Uniform Specification Meat and Livestock (AUS-MEAT), Australian Pork Ltd (APL))
- Compare the proportions of bone, muscle and fat at various stages of development in an animal and relate these to market requirements
- Discuss and analyse the use of hormones and antibiotics in animal production
- Analyse carcass data to assess suitability based on market specifications.
- Mandatory practical: Compare the bone, muscle and fat percentages of different carcasses or cuts that are commercially available.
Animal health
view_agenda query_statsUnit 3: Agricultural production > Topic 1: Animal production B > Animal health
- Define the terms pest and disease
- Describe the following four types of disease: metabolic, genetic, microbial and metazoal
- Describe the health and economic effects of two diseases of regional significance
- Describe and explain different types of control measures for animal pests and diseases - chemical control, including vaccinations, inorganic and organic pesticides - physical control - biological control - management, including vaccination and spraying programs, feral animal eradication programs - integrated pest management (IPM)
- Describe the life cycles, effects on animal production and control measures (chemical, physical, biological and management) for a local or regional pest and/or disease for a selected production animal
- Analyse and evaluate secondary data to compare different chemical and biological control measures for animal pests and diseases, including vaccinations, inorganic and organic pesticides
- Explain an example of a successful and an unsuccessful biological control method (e.g. the use of dung beetles to control buffalo fly and the introduction of cane toads)
- Analyse the features of both intensive and extensive animal industries and their impact on the management of animal pests and diseases
- Define the terms exotic disease, notifiable disease and biosecurity
- Evaluate the potential impact of an exotic or notifiable disease on an agricultural production system
- Investigate and evaluate biosecurity and disease management in animal production and the impact it has on management strategies.
Animal ethics and welfare
view_agenda query_statsUnit 3: Agricultural production > Topic 1: Animal production B > Animal ethics and welfare
- Define animal ethics
- Define animal welfare
- Explain the difference between animal welfare and animal ethics
- Describe the main considerations for the ethical treatment of animals in a production enterprise
- Discuss the elements of standard operating procedures for selected animals and the impact it has on production for selected animals
- Explain at least one animal welfare issue associated with production practices such as mulesing, live export, battery-cage egg production or use of farrowing crates
- Evaluate how consumer trends/demands have impacted on animal welfare in a production system.
Topic 2: Plant production B
view_agenda query_statsPlant production
view_agenda query_statsUnit 3: Agricultural production > Topic 2: Plant production B > Plant production
- Describe and explain important agronomic practices planting requirements (sowing rate, seed depth, plant spacing) water management nutrient management, including nutrient cycles (carbon and nitrogen) cultural practices management of plant pests and diseases, including chemical, biological, physical and integrated pest management (IPM) approaches
- Describe and explain how soil management techniques (e.g. use of legumes, soil additives and tillage practices) can support sustainable plant production
- Explain the impact of hormones (including auxins, gibberellins, ethylene, cytokinins and abscisic acid) on production systems
- Analyse and evaluate the use of hormones to manipulate plant production
- Describe and explain processes in post-harvest technologies (e.g. post-harvest transport, ripening and product handling).
- Mandatory practical: Design and conduct a plant trial to collect and analyse primary data on a factor that affects plant production.
Plant health
view_agenda query_statsUnit 3: Agricultural production > Topic 2: Plant production B > Plant health
- Define and describe pesticide, insecticide, herbicide, fungicide and nematicide
- Define integrated pest management (IPM), integrated disease management (IDM) and integrated weed management (IWM)
- Identify and describe four pests and diseases that are significant to an important regional plant industry (e.g., wheat, sugar cane)
- Describe and explain different types of control measures for plant pests, weeds and diseases - chemical, including inorganic and organic pesticides - physical, including cultivation - biological - management, including IPM, IDM and IWM - plant breeding
- Describe the life cycles, effects on plant production and control measures for at least one important pest and disease for a selected agricultural plant
- Describe the role of beneficial organisms in plant production systems.
Plant reproduction and breeding
view_agenda query_statsUnit 3: Agricultural production > Topic 2: Plant production B > Plant reproduction and breeding
- Describe asexual propagation methods (including tissue culture, cuttings, budding and grafting) used in agriculture and horticulture
- Discuss plant varieties and their selection and use in production systems to increase yields
- Describe and explain genetic techniques used in breeding new plant varieties, including - crossbreeding - tissue culture - hybridisation - genetic modification.
Topic 3: Agricultural enterprises B
view_agenda query_statsAgricultural products
view_agenda query_statsUnit 3: Agricultural production > Topic 3: Agricultural enterprises B > Agricultural products
- Identify and describe examples of agricultural products (including raw, processed and value-added products) and where they go once they leave the ‘property gate’ (including domestic and export markets)
- Identify marketing techniques for agricultural products
- Explain what is meant by the ‘clean and green image’ of Australian agricultural production and how Australia’s global position is enhanced through marketing and quality assurance
- Explain how quality assurance processes align products to market specifications of agricultural production systems
- Define and explain the law of supply and demand, including elasticity of supply and demand and equilibrium price
- Identify supply and demand factors that cause market values to fluctuate, affecting the price of agricultural products
- Identify how the trade of agricultural products affects local and international economies (e.g. imports, exports)
- Analyse demand and supply data for a specific agricultural product and make predictions.
Unit 4: Agricultural management
view_agenda query_statsTopic 1: Enterprise management
view_agenda query_statsData for decision-making
view_agenda query_statsUnit 4: Agricultural management > Topic 1: Enterprise management > Data for decision-making
- Identify and describe methods of agricultural recordkeeping for physical and financial data, including field notebooks inventories financial reports i.e., partial budgets, complete budgets and development budgets. Other examples could include cash flow statements, profit-and-loss statements and gross income computer spreadsheets, databases and applications (apps)
- Calculate and analyze gross margins and the law of diminishing returns.
- Mandatory practical: Analyse a range of primary and/or secondary data about plant or animal production to make justified management decisions. Data sources should include at least one of the following: estimated breeding values (EBVs), live weight gain data, milk production, or grain yield from different crop varieties.
Decision-making in property management
view_agenda query_statsUnit 4: Agricultural management > Topic 1: Enterprise management > Decision-making in property management
- Recall factors affecting property management decisions, including market suitability, including consumer trends, sustainability of product, environmental suitability, location to markets and processing options level of chemical usage environmental and geographic factors animal welfare requirements human resources workplace health and safety availability of technology and technological expertise financial considerations
- Identify sources of risk associated with agricultural production
- Identify reliable sources of information that producers can use to make decisions
- Describe and apply risk-management strategies for property management
- Describe and evaluate management practices (e.g. crop rotation, cell grazing, paddock rotation, water harvesting).
- Mandatory practical: Assess the risk associated with an agricultural enterprise on a selected area in the school or on a local property using the prevention, preparedness, response, recovery (PPRR) model and make justified recommendations for improvements.
Topic 2: Evaluation of an agricultural enterprise's sustainability
view_agenda query_statsEnvironmental factors
view_agenda query_statsUnit 4: Agricultural management > Topic 2: Evaluation of an agricultural enterprise's sustainability > Environmental factors
- Explain how the sustainable use of a resource (i.e. water, soil, biota) depends on its abundance and replenishment rate
- Assess the opportunity for sustainable practices in an agricultural production system using the criteria of resource management physical biological
- Waste management
- Explain how natural resources are influenced by human activities (including mining, irrigation and land clearing)
- Make predictions and propose solutions relating to dryland salinity, erosion, drought and water quality
- Understand key issues that impact on agricultural production, including dryland salinity, erosion, drought and water quality
Financial factors
view_agenda query_statsUnit 4: Agricultural management > Topic 2: Evaluation of an agricultural enterprise's sustainability > Financial factors
- Describe and explain risk-avoidance strategies (including diversification, alternative sources of income and capital investment) for agricultural producers, using examples
- Analyse, evaluate and make judgments about different farming enterprises by using a range of financial documents (including budgets, profit-and-loss statements, cash flow statements and inventories)
- Describe types of agricultural enterprises
- Evaluate different methods of production of the same agricultural product
- Evaluate management and ownership structures, including sole trader, partnership, company and trusts
- Discuss free trade agreements, including competition and import and export agreements
- Describe, investigate and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different ownership structures, including succession planning and its impact on agricultural enterprises
- Describe and explain the impact of government decisions and policies on agricultural enterprises
- Analyse and evaluate the impact of free trade agreements on agricultural products.
Social factors
view_agenda query_statsUnit 4: Agricultural management > Topic 2: Evaluation of an agricultural enterprise's sustainability > Social factors
- Assess the opportunity for sustainable social practices in an agricultural production system, using the criteria of labour employment welfare infrastructure standard of living health and nutrition population distribution education income food quality food security.