Southern State Community College
Curriculum Committee – February 2012
AGRI 2207: Forages
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I. COURSE TITLE: Forages
COURSE NUMBER: 2207
CATALOG PREFIX:
AGRI
II. PREREQUISITE(S): None
III. CREDIT HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 0
LECTURE HOURS: 3
OBSERVATION HOURS: 0
IV. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
A study of forage crops, integrated harvesting systems, and forage land
management for agricultural production.
Includes forage identification,
establishment and maintenance, measurement and forage productivity evaluation.
A brief presentation of grazing systems and animal-plant interactions will be
included.
V. ADOPTED TEXT (S):
Forages – An Introduction to Grassland Agriculture
6th Edition;
Heath, Barnes & Metcalfe
2003.
Iowa State University Press
ISBN: 0-8138-0421-3
VI. COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the completion of this course the student will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Be able to define the concept of forages in the context of production-animal
agriculture
Be able to list at least 10 grasses and 10 legumes that may be found on foragebased agricultural land in Ohio and across the United States of America
a. Give uses, approximate ideas of productivity, and primary regions of use
Know and discuss the roles of forbs in a forage system and which classes of
livestock may be best suited for utilization
Discuss the idea of seasonality in the context of forages and give examples of how
to “extend” a season or take advantages of non-traditional seasons for forage
production
Define several ways forage can be used in agriculture, including (but not limited
to) grazing, hay, silage, soil conservation, biomass, habitat.
AGRI 2207: Forages
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6. Forage plant identification – be able to identify the major forage species used in
the USA, with particular emphasis on those used in Ohio and surrounding states;
include grasses, legumes, forbs
7. Forage measurement and utilization on grazing farms, rangelands, or hay/silage
production fields
8. Learn how to find more information on forage utilization in your area; through
research (review of current and relevant scholarly literature), field days, and
farmer-rancher interactions
9. Describe basic plant physiology and morphology and how this can affect the
utilization and competition of forage plants.
10. Forages and livestock interactions: forage nutritional aspects, livestock disorders
caused or modified by forages, grazing issues/concepts/challenges, harvest and
feeding aspects/challenges/issues.
VII.
GRADING
Grades will be calculated as a percentage of the total points earned; according
to the Course Catalog:
Numerical equivalents are established for letter grades as follows:
A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 0 - 59
Academic Honesty: See course catalog for policy. Academic honesty is
expected; acts of dishonesty will not be tolerated.
VIII. COURSE METHODOLOGY:
This course may use lecture, discussion, video, computer slide show, in and
out-of class assignments, work projects, research papers, and written exams as
appropriate to the course objectives.
IX. COURSE OUTLINE:
Forage utilization and function
Morphology and physiology
Perennial vs. annual; C-3 vs. C-4; legumes and grasses
Research topics
Quality and utilization
Animal response to forages and animal-plant interactions
Forage ID
AGRI 2207: Forages
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Forage establishment and management
Grazing and harvesting systems
SAMPLE Course Calendar:
Week 1
overview and functions of forages
Week 2
morphology and physiology
Week 3
perennial vs. annual
Week 4
c-3 vs. c-4 crops
Week 5
forage ID
Week 6
grasses, legumes, forbs
Exam #1
Week 7
topics in forage research
Week 8
forage quality
Week 9
forage utilization
Week 10
animals and forages
Week 11
establishment and management
Week 12
harvesting techniques
Exam #2
Week 13
grazing systems
Week 14
marketing forage products
Week 15
research experiments
Week 16
Final Exam (Exam #3)
X. OTHER REQUIRED BOOKS, SOFTWARE AND MATERIALS:
Other resources may be required as the term progresses and will be announced or
given in class
XI. EVALUATION:
Knowledge of content is evaluated by various methods at the discretion of the
instructor and the employer.
Sample Grading Scale:
5 “pop” quizzes
Research Project
Midterm Exam #1
Midterm Exam #2
Final Exam
XII.
10%
20%
20%
20%
30%
SPECIFIC MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS:
Students will be required to complete written exams at times designated in the
Course Schedule. Students are required to participate in all class activities.
Students may withdraw from classes according to the schedule in the student
handbook. Withdrawal from classes may affect the student’s financial aid.
AGRI 2207: Forages
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See the FEE SCHEDULE section of the College Catalog for the policy on
refunds and financial aid.
XIII. OTHER INFORMATION:
CLASSROOM CONDUCT: Civility in the classroom is very important. As
professionals, we expect students to conduct themselves in a courteous and
respectful manner. Disruptive, rude, sarcastic, obscene or disrespectful
speech or behavior have a negative impact on everyone and will not be
tolerated.
FERPA: Students need to understand that your work may be seen by others.
Others may see your work when being distributed, during group project work,
or if it is chosen for demonstration purposes.
Students also need to know that there is a strong possibility that your work
may be submitted to other entities for the purpose of plagiarism checks.
DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities may contact the Disabilities
Service Office, Central Campus, at 800-628-7722 or 937-393-3431.