Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Farm Management)

Core studies cover animal anatomy and physiology, soil management, farm management and sustainable agriculture, along with a research project and a final Industry Project applying your learning to a real farm situation. Electives are wide ranging, from crop and livestock options to equine behaviour and farm engineering, letting you shape the qualification around your own farm or interests. Suitable for those managing or planning to manage a farm sustainably.

Learn about Managing and Improving the Productivity of Farms Understand approaches to improve the operation and productivity of farms. Learn about planning and management. Gain a fundamental understanding of soil science. Learn how to farm effectively and conserve resources, whilst minimising waste and environmental impact. Learn how to plan and conduct research. This is a 900 hour course requiring the completion of 6 Core Modules and a further 3 Elective Modules. The Elective Module selection provides students with the opportunity to tailor their studies to particular areas of interest. THE CORE MODULES Students are to complete the following 6 Core Modules; further details for each module can be accessed by following the links in the module title: Farm Management BAG104 Soil Management (Agriculture) BAG103 Animal Husbandry I (Animal Anatomy and Physiology) BAG101 Research Project I BGN102 Sustainable Agriculture BAG215 Industry Project I or 100 hours of approved work experience THE ELECTIVE MODULES Students are to select 3 Modules from the following: Organic Farming BAG305 Pasture Management BAG212 Agricultural Marketing BAG304 Agricultural Soil Management BAG103 Animal Behaviour BAG203 Equine Behaviour BAG216 Animal Breeding BAG301 Animal Feed and Nutrition (Animal Husbandry III) BAG202 Farm Animal Health (Animal Husbandry II) BAG201 Animal Health Care VAG100 Diagnosing Animal Diseases BAG219 Aquaculture BAG211 Marine Aquaculture BAG220 Beef Cattle BAG206 Calf Rearing BAG207 Dairy Cattle BAG205 Horse Care I BAG102 Horse Care II BAG204 Horse Care III BAG302 Horse Breeding BAG307 Engineering I (Machinery and Equipment) BSC105 Engineering II (Engineering Applications) BSC205 Pig Husbandry BAG209 Sheep BAG210 Goat Production BAG223 Poultry BAG208 Agronomy BAG306 Protected Plant Production BHT223 Cut Flower Production BHT221 Commercial Vegetable Production BHT222 HOW THE COURSE WORKS You can start the course at any time. You study by distance learning - choosing when and where you study. You are supported in your studies by our expert tutors. Each module comprises a number of lessons. At the end of each lesson there is an assignment which is to be submitted to the School for marking by your tutor. This will be marked and returned to you with your tutors comments and any suggestions for further reading. To pass the Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Farm Management) you need to pass the assignments on all modules, complete an Industry Project, and pass exams on all of the other modules. Exams are usually taken at the end of each module at a time and place to suit you. What Is Planning and Why Is It Important to Farm Management? Farm Management involves the whole operation of a farm or agricultural business as a profit making venture, as such it involves the balanced integration of all aspects of these businesses. Good farm related management does not just depend on following a set of routine procedures. It involves constant re-assessment of procedures and the need to be aware of new developments in technology, fluctuating costs and markets, and climatic patterns, as any small changes in these can significantly alter the economic viability of an enterprise. Planning might relate to physical or tangible things such as the physical layout of an area of land, or intangible non physical things, such as the way manpower and other resources might be allocated in the workplace. Formal planning helps to define the farm business’s goals, establish and overall strategy and develop individual plans. Formal planning is important because it: Provides direction Reduces uncertainty Minimises waste and redundancy Sets goals/standards for control Assesses external and internal impacts to object relationships within the business Sets planning timeframes (i.e. for review/completion etc.) Plans can be broad in scope involving every aspect of a farm's future; or they can be narrow e.g. covering the way a small number of people will work for a short period of time. Strategic plans are plans which have been developed with the purpose of meeting these goals. A strategic plan utilises predetermined "strategies" in its approach to management. There are some aspects of business management that are universal to all successful enterprises and financial management is one of these. Understanding what is involved in financial management is very important. Annual budgeting, medium and long term plans, where to go for finance, what are the best investments for profit etc. are things that must be decided and reviewed continually as part of the financial management process. Studying with ACS Our courses have been developed over many years and are continually reviewed and updated where required. They are delivered by highly qualified tutors who have extensive experience in their field. ACS courses are designed for application in the real world, providing students with the opportunity to develop skills and sound, fundamental knowledge. They will encourage students to learn, to research and to network. Feedback from our students highlights the aims and relevance of our courses: "This course allowed me the freedom to work within the industry & learn at the same time. I learnt a lot of new and diverse calf rearing options that have now better prepared me for the 'real world' of calf rearing and my new role within the dairy industry. A great 'grounding' course, even for those who are hands on in raising calves. I have recommended this course to a few calf rearers already! I'd be happy to highly recommend the course to anyone with an interest in raising the next quality batch of calf replacements on their farm." Tiffany Gordon - Calf Rearing Course Learn More You can enrol on the Advanced Certificate In Agriculture (Farm Management) today. If you have any questions, or need help in choosing the right course options for you, please get in touch with us. You can submit your questions to our expert Agriculture tutors, or phone us on - (UK) 01384 442752 or (International) +44 (0) 1384 442752.