AGRI 486
Forages and Forage Systems
Fall - 3 credits
Instructor: Dr. Patrick Carr
Office: West River Agriculture Complex
Phone: 2581 (please call my home phone number only if there is an
emergency)
email: pcarr@ndsuext.nodak.edu (Do not use the email address
provided in the DSU directory)
Class Hours: 10 to 11:15 AM TTh
Office Hours: 8 AM to 10 AM TTh or by arrangement
Required Text: Forages. An Introduction to Grassland Agriculture.
6th Edition. Iowa State University Press.
Course Description: This is the "capstone course" at Dickinson
State University covering the topic of cultivated and range plants used to
feed livestock. A thorough discussion of important forage species is
provided along with detail on current and emerging management systems.
Forages common to the north central region of the USA are emphasized in the
course, but important forages that occur in other regions are discussed. An
ability to evaluate and discuss the complex principles guiding proper forage
management in an accurate but readily understandable manner will be
fostered. Students who complete this course successfully will be able to
analyze critically and propose solutions for the problems relating to
forages and their management in the northern Great Plains as well as other
regions in North America and similar climatic regions elsewhere in the
world.
Principles of Crop Production (PLSC 225) and Introduction to Range
Management (ARSC 336) should be taken before enrolling in this course. In
addition, students must be willing to become engaged in the learning process
as it relates to forages and their management. It is assumed that students
are enrolled in this course because they recognize the value and importance
of forages and forage systems to the economic and environmental
sustainability of agricultural systems in the Great Plains.
Institutional Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completing this course successfully, students will:
902. Develop higher order and critical thinking skills
through a fundamental understanding of the principles that
govern modern forage management. These skills will be
demonstrated by meeting successfully all requirements of the
course, including a formal written and oral critique of some
aspect of forages and/or forage systems that will be determined
during the first six weeks of the course.
Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (continued):
903. Improve academic success skills including
proficiencies in speaking and writing and the use of technology.
These proficiencies will be demonstrated: (i) by the ability to
access information electronically that is pertinent to forages
and their management, (ii) through contributions
in discussions of modern methods of forage management, and
(iii) by production of state-of-the-art, visual graphics
presented in hard-copy and during oral discussions of a modern
forage topic. Written skills and proficiencies will be
demonstrated when writing essays in response to questions asked
during formal testing periods, and in preparing the technical
paper on forages.
904. Develop discipline-specific knowledge and skills about
forages and their management. These will be acquired and
demonstrated during classroom discussions relating to
unsupervised assigned reading and analyses of material presented
by the instructor, while working on classroom exercises alone
and in groups, and when completing formal written examinations
assigned at preset intervals during the course.
905. Develop academic values and knowledge related to a
liberal arts education. These values and knowledge will be
demonstrated when analyzing and responding to presentations of
modern theory relating to forages and their management
specifically and agrarian issues generally. Understanding the
theory and methods requires knowledge that spans several
disciplines which include [but are not limited to] biological,
physical, and social sciences, as well as economics and ethics.
906. Develop work and career preparation skills by acquiring
knowledge and expertise in forage management theory and
practices that currently are being used. This expertise must be
demonstrated before the course can be completed successfully.
907. Further development so they can maximize their potential
for productive careers in a lifeline learning model. This will
be demonstrated by and to students in a post-course,
self-evaluation in which strengths and weaknesses relating to
their understanding of forages and modern management strategies
will be demonstrated, as well as in interactions with fellow
students and instructors during the semester. Results of the
self-evaluation and interactions along with traditional and
emerging testing methods will be used to demonstrate the
importance and personal responsibility of continuing lifeline
learning processes.
Program Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completing this course successfully, students will:
987. Develop and demonstrate proficiency in the practices and
theory of modern forage management through completing
successfully all responsibilities assigned during the course,
including written and oral presentations.
988. Demonstrate proficiency in proper and effective use of
both oral and written communication skills through meeting the
responsibilities identified in 1.
Course Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completing this course successfully, students will:
Develop proficiency in understanding the practices and theory
of managing various forage systems so that economic and
environmental sustainability in agricultural systems
incorporating forages is achieved and maintained.
Develop the ability to articulate the importance of forages
and their management for the economic, environmental, and social
well-being of the Great Plains to an increasingly urban
populace.
Enhance their critical thinking ability and both verbal and
written skills so complex agricultural and non-agricultural
issues can be evaluated and addressed effectively.
Students with disabilities:
Students who have any disability which might affect their performance in
this class are encouraged to speak with the instructor at the beginning of
the semester.
Grading:
Letter grades will be determined on the basis of 1000 possible points and
will be assigned as follows:
A Awarded to students who demonstrate; (i) mastery of the basic
concepts presented in assigned reading and during in-class discussions
relating to course outcomes; (ii) a thorough understanding of selected
concepts and the ability to synthesize and integrate information
presented during class and in the text on tests; and (iii) the ability
to compose a written technical paper at a quality expected at the
university level (i.e., proper usage of basic grammar and post-secondary
understanding of technical subject matter) along with an ability to
present and defend the paper orally. These outcomes will be expressed by
earning a minimum of 90% of the total possible points available from a
combination of the evaluation tools identified in (i), (ii) and (iii).
B Awarded to students who demonstrate: (i) a thorough
understanding of the basic concepts presented in assigned reading and
during in-class discussions relating to course outcomes; (ii) a thorough
understanding of the selected concepts presented on tests, and the
ability to synthesize and integrate information in response to most
questions asked; and (iii) the ability to compose a written technical
paper at a quality expected at the university level (i.e., proper usage
of basic grammar and post-secondary understanding of technical subject
matter) along with an ability to present and defend the paper orally.
These outcomes will be expressed by earning a minimum of 80% but not
more than 89.9% of the total possible points available from a
combination of the evaluation tools identified in (i), (ii) and (iii).
C Awarded to students who demonstrate: (i) a thorough
understanding of most of the basic concepts presented in assigned
reading and during in-class discussions relating to course outcomes;
(ii) a thorough understanding of most of the selected concepts on tests,
and the ability to synthesize and integrate information in response to
questions asked; and (iii) the ability to compose a written technical
paper at a quality expected by an individual who has completed freshman
composition successfully at an accredited university (i.e., basic
grammar and post-secondary understanding of technical subject matter are
adequate so that ideas and concepts can be communicated intelligibly)
along with an ability to present and defend the paper orally. These
outcomes will be expressed by earning a minimum of 70% but not more than
79.9% of the total possible points available from a combination of the
evaluation tools identified in (i), (ii) and (iii).
D Awarded to students who demonstrate: (i) a rudimentary
understanding of the basic concepts presented in assigned reading and
during in-class discussions relating to course outcomes; (ii) a basic
understanding of a majority of the selected concepts on tests, and the
ability to synthesize and integrate information in response to some
questions asked; and (iii) the ability to compose a written technical at
a quality expected by a student who completed freshman composition
successfully at an accredited university (i.e., basic grammar and
post-secondary understanding of technical subject matter are adequate so
that ideas and concepts can be communicated intelligibly) along with an
ability to present and defend the paper orally. These outcomes will be
expressed by earning a minimum of 60% but not more than 69.9% of the
total possible points available from a combination of the evaluation
tools identified in (i), (ii) and (iii).
F Awarded to students who demonstrate: (i) a poor understanding
of basic concepts presented in assigned reading and during in-class
discussions relating to course outcomes; (ii) a poor understanding of
most of the selected concepts on tests, and the inability to synthesize
and integrate information in response to most questions asked; and/or
(iii) the inability to compose a written technical paper at a level that
would be expected by a student who completed freshman composition
successfully at an accredited university (i.e., basic grammar and
post-secondary understanding of technical subject matter are adequate so
that ideas and concepts can be communicated intelligibly) along with an
ability to present and defend the paper orally. These outcomes will be
expressed by earning < 60% of the total possible points available from a
combination of the evaluation tools identified in (i), (ii) and (iii),
and will result in the student not passing the class.
There is no curving of grades in this class.
| Letter Grade |
Total Points |
| A |
900 |
| B |
800-899 |
| C |
699-799 |
| D |
600-699 |
| F |
>600 |
Points will be earned by fulfilling specific responsibilities assigned
during the semester. These responsibilities are described explicitly in the
syllabus. The maximum number of points possible for fulfilling each
responsibility is provided in the table on the next page:
Grading |
Total
possible points |
| Quizzes (5 @ 10 pts each) |
50
|
| Reading Assignments (4 @ 50 pts
each) |
200 |
| In-class Assignments |
60 |
| Laboratory Write-up |
50 |
| Lecture Exams (2 @ 100 each) |
200 |
| Student Project/Technical Paper |
150 |
| Student Oral
Presentation/Discussion |
50 |
| Final Exam1 |
140 |
| In-class
attendance/discussion/engagement2 |
100 |
| Total |
1000 |
| 1The final
examination is comprehensive. |
| 2Regular
attendance and active participation is required for students expecting
to earn points for attendance/discussion/engagement. |
Attendance policy:
DSU Policy manual: Students are expected to attend all
scheduled classes and labs as published in the official class schedule. Any
regular deviation from this general policy must be approved by the
instructor and the college dean.
Student excuses fall in the following categories: academically related
(field trips) or institutionally sponsored activities (athletics, tours,
etc.) will be excused. The advisor or coach will prepare an excuse sheet and
the students involved must present this sheet to their instructors prior to
the activity, if possible.
All other absences must be cleared with each instructor. It is the
instructors decision to
determine if the absence is excused or unexcused.
All students have the responsibility of personally contacting their
instructors concerning their missing work for any absence from class.
The catalog provides specific guidelines for time periods in which
classes may be added, dropped, or for students to withdraw from school.
Forages and Forage Systems attendance policy (addendum to DSU attendance
policy and explanation of policy):
There is a required text for this class and outside-of-classroom reading
assignments will be given. Some students may have difficulty understanding
some of the concepts unless they are discussed more thoroughly in class. In
addition, the instructor and guest lecturers will present material and
concepts that are not presented in the text. For these and other reasons,
regular attendance in class is expected and required.
Students who do not attend class because of a university-sponsored
activity (e.g., athletic event, club activity) will be considered excused,
assuming students provide electronic documentation of the
university-sponsored event preventing attendance to the instructor, in
advance. If there are extraordinary reasons for a student missing class
(i.e., serious and unexpected illness prevents documentation before class is
missed), then the student will be permitted to provide written or electronic
documentation of the reason for missing class during the first class
that he or she returns. It is the students responsibility to ensure that the instructor of Forages and Forage Systems
is provided with written or electronic documentation for not attending
class, not the coachs if
an athletic event or an instructor if another university-sponsored event
prevents attendance in class. Also, it is the responsibility of the
student to obtain all material provided in a missed class for an excused
absence and not the instructor of Forages and Forage Systems.
If a student misses class because of an unexcused absence, it is the
students responsibility to
obtain all material presented during the missed class from students
who attended class and/or electronically. The instructor is not responsible
for providing material to any student who missed class because of an
unexcused absence.
Students will be permitted two (2) unexcused absences during the semester
without penalty. Thereafter, five (5) points will be subtracted from the
total number of points a student has earned for any unexcused absence. Also,
there is no excuse for not completing/turning in an assignment or taking
a quiz or test when assigned because of an unexcused absence.
Assignment/Examination Policy:
Dates that assignments are due and examinations are scheduled are
provided on the class calendar. Students will earn grades on assignments
and examinations only when they are turned in or taken on time, except when
students are excused. Students are excused from handing in an assignment
or taking an examination when scheduled only when: (i) students are
participating in an academically related or institutionally sponsored
activity that conflicts with the assigned class activity and they provide
the instructor with written documentation of the conflict before it occurs;
and (ii) an unforeseen extraordinary event (e.g., serious documented
illness) prevents students from turning in an assignment or taking an
examination on time.
Assignments will not be graded if not turned in at the beginning of
class when scheduled, even when a student does not turn in the
assignment because of an excused absence. In cases where the assignment
was not turned in because of an excused absence, the grade that is earned on
the following assignment will be assumed to be the grade that would have
been earned on the assignment that was missed. No grade or points will be
assigned to any missed assignment or examination when the absence is not
excused by the instructor. Students unable to take an examination on the
scheduled date because of an excused absence will be given an in-class make-up
examination on a date at a time that is agreed upon mutually by students and
the instructor.
Technical Paper:
Writing a technical paper and presenting the paper orally that discusses
and critiques a forage and forage systems topic is a requirement for
completing Forages and Forage Systems successfully. The topic will be
determined within the first six weeks of class. The written paper must be
seven to ten pages in length (excluding the Literature Cited section) with
lines double-spaced. It must be typed on a laser-printer in New
Times Roman font in 12-pt font size (i.e., the font type and size
used in preparing this syllabus). At least three but no more than seven
scientific references must be cited in the paper and at least three of the
references must be obtained from the web (at least one reference cannot be
acquired electronically). Copies of each reference must be provided to
the instructor in October. Material presented or provided by the instructor
or any guest lecturer in class, material in the text, and information from
encyclopedias may not be included as one of the references. The paper
must include five sections: (1) Summary, (2) Introduction, (3) Discussion,
(4) Conclusion, and (5) Literature Cited.
The final paper will be graded both in terms of technical information,
professional appearance, and grammatical quality. A draft of the paper is
due in October at the beginning of class. A final draft is due in November.
The paper also must be presented and defended orally. Students will be
assigned times to give their paper orally in early December. A Power Point
presentation developed by the student must be used during the oral
presentation.
PLSC 496
Forages and Forage Systems
Class Calendar
Course Expectations-Describe evaluation of student performance
used in class, plan for the course, and subject matter to be covered
Assignment:
Read Chapter 8 (Legumes for Northern Areas) and 6 (Grasses for
Northern Areas)
Grasses and Legumes for Northern Areas (Instructor: Patrick
Carr)
Assignment: Go to web and
find an article on new legumes and grasses used in the northern
Great Plains (Instructor will give ideas on where to find info)
Outdoors walking tour of grasses and legumes
(Instructor: Patrick Carr, Toby Stroh)
Legume and Grass Seed Identification (Instructor: Patrick
Carr & Toby Stroh)
Assignment: Hand in
web-based article (10 pts.) and reading assignment over Chapters 6 &
8 (50 pts.); Read Chapter 1 (Forages and Grasslands in a Changing
World) by
LAST DAY TO DROP/ADD A CLASS
State, Regional and National Importance of Forages
(Instructor: Patrick Carr)
Assignment: Read Chapter 2
(Structure and Morphology of Grasses) & 3 (Structure and Morphology
of Legumes and Other Forbs) before
In-class Quiz 1
Legume Morphology and Development (Instructor: Patrick Carr)
Assignment: Read Chapter 10
(Forbs)
Perennial Grass and Cereal Morphology and Development (Instructor:
Patrick
Carr & Doug King)
Assignment: Hand in reading
assignment over Chapters 2 & 3 (50 pts.)
Forage establishment (Laboratory)
Assignment: Discuss
technical paper topic ; type up one paragraph argument for a
particular topic by
Forbs & Alternative Forages (Instructor: Scott Kronberg)
Assignment: Begin and complete a
Grazing System Development Project by
EXAM 1 (Take-home)
Forage Terminology (Instructor: Patrick Carr)
Assignment: Read Chapter 16
(Ruminant Digestion of Forages) by
hand in grazing system development project (20 pts.)
Hand in EXAM 1 (100 pts.)
Assignment: Read
Chapter 17 (Forage Terminology) and develop a vocabulary sheet by ;
hand in technical paper topic suggestion (10 pts.) and then choose
the paper topic by consensus following discussion.
Ruminant Digestion of Forages (Instructor: Chip Poland)
Ruminant Digestion and Forage Quality (Instructor: Chip Poland)
Assignment: Hand in reading
assignment over Chapter 16 (50 pts.) and vocabulary sheet (10 pts.)
In-class Quiz 2
Forage Quality Calculations (Instructor: Patrick Carr)
Assignment:
Compute and turn in in-class computations (10 pts.); Read Chapter 11
(Forage Establishment) by ; Go to the web and find an article
promoting new forage quality parameters; the article is due on
MIDTERM WEEK
Forage Establishment (Instructor: Patrick Carr)
Discussion of how to collect, record, and interpret data
Assignment: Hand in citations for
technical paper
MIDTERM WEEK
Forage Establishment Evaluation (Student directed)
Collect & evaluate data
Assignment: Prepare and hand in
laboratory write-up (20 pts.); Read Chapter 12 (Forage Fertilization
and Nutrient Management) by
Forage Establishment (Instructor: Patrick Carr)
Assignment: Read Chapter 5
(Environmental Aspects of Forage Management) by ; Turn in web
article on new forage quality parameters (10 pts.)
Technical paper draft due
(50 pts.)
Environmental Effects on Forage Management (Instructor:
Patrick Carr)
In-class Quiz 3
Fertilizing Perennial Grasses and Grass Pasture Management
(Instructor: Patrick Carr)
Fertilizing Perennial Grasses (Instructor: Doug King)
Assignment: Hand in reading assignment over Chapter 5 (50
pts.)
In-class Quiz 4
Forage Related Animal Disorders (Instructor: Chip Poland)
EXAM 2 (Take-home)
Forage Harvest Management (Instructor: Kevin Sedivec)
Assignment: Read Chapter 20 (Grazing Management
Systems)
TECHNICAL PAPER FINAL DRAFT IS DUE
Cereals and Legumes as Forages (Instructor: Patrick Carr)
Hand in EXAM 2 (100 pts.)
In-class Quiz 5
Grazing Management Systems (Instructor: Dennis Froemke)
Rotational Benefits of Forages (Instructor: Patrick Carr)
Assignment: Hand in reading
Assignment over Chapter 20 (25 pts.)
Technical Papers Presentation and
Discussion (50 pts.)
Technical Papers Presentation and
Discussion (Moderator: Patrick Carr)
Discussion of class, ideas for change/thoughts on material/sum up
all questions
Final Exam Review Session
In-class Final Exam
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