Agronomy II - Grains

This course covers the infrastructure and machinery needed for grain growing and processing, before working through major grain types including wheat, barley, maize, sorghum and rice. You will also study pulse crops and pseudo cereals such as quinoa, and how grains are processed for both human and livestock consumption. Suitable for farmers and those working in grain production or the grain processing industry.

Learn to Grow Cereals and Other Grains Cereals, pulses and other grains are some of the most important broad acre agronomic crops in global agriculture. In this course, you will: Expand your understanding of types of grains and their growing requirements Produce better crops, and eliminate the risks associated with poor growing schedules and production practices Study farm structures and resources required for grain production Learn about different production systems Grain crops are necessary to produce seeds for human or animal consumption. They are grown under a wide variety of different climatic and soil conditions. COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT Course Duration: 100 hours. Start Date: Start at any time - study at a pace that suits you, and with full tutor support for the duration of your studies. Lessons: The course comprises 9 lessons as detailed, below. Lesson 1. Introduction to Grains (Cereals) Production of Crops in Different Climates and Ecological Zones Climate Soil Aspect and Altitude Crop Growing Periods and Growing Degree Days. Cropping Season as Affected by Moisture Availability World Cropping Cereal Crop Growth Stages Jointing Stage Booting Stage Grain Fill Stage Zadok Scale Grain Types Wheat Barley Sorghum Oats Rice Corn Canola Pulses Production Systems Crop Rotation Cover Crops Crop Islands Lesson 2. Grain Growing and Processing: Infrastructure and Machinery Equipment Requirements Choosing A Tractor and Accessories Equipment and Tools Used in Different Crop Production Operations Tillage Seed Certified and Saved Seed Seed Production Planting Other Crop Production Operations Irrigation Equipment Crop Lodging Harvest Cereal Harvesting Equipment Threshers/Combined Harvester Thresher Cleaning Grain Storage Silos Silo Bags Bunkers Insect Pest Control in Grain Storage Lesson 3. Wheat, Spelt, Tritosecale, Oats, Barley, Rye Wheat and Spelt Cultivars Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Nitrogen Phosphorus Potassium Zinc Crop Health Crown Rot Stripe Rust Leaf Rust Stem Rust Yellow Leaf Spot Nematodes Harvest and Uses Tritosecale Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Harvest and Uses Cultivars Oats Cultivars Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Harvest and Uses Barley Cultivars Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Nitrogen Phosphorus Aluminium And Boron Toxicity Crop Health Crown Rot Net Blotch Spot Blotch Powdery Mildew Harvest and Uses. Rye Winter and Spring Rye Cultivars Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Harvest and Uses Lesson 4. Maize, Sorghum and Millet Maize Cultivars Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Nitrogen Phosphorous Potassium Sulphur Iron Crop Health Boil Smut (Ustilago Maydis) Rust (Puccinia Sorghi) Stalk and Cob Rots Harvest and Uses Sorghum Cultivars Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Ergot (Claviceps Africana) Insect Pests Heliothis Sorghum Midge Harvest and Uses Millet Cultivars Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Grey Leaf Spot Charcoal Rot Pests Harvest and Uses Lesson 5. Rice Rice (Oryza Spp.) Cultivars Commonly Cultivated Varieties of Rice Grain Type - Colour: Brown Vs White Different Varieties for Eating Cultivation Environmental Overview Altitude Water Irrigating Rice Rainfed - Terrace Systems. Crop Health and Diseases Bacterial Blight Bacterial Leaf Streak Blast, Leaf and Collar Red Stripe Harvest Ratooning Rice-Wheat Systems Lesson 6. Pulse Crops Soybeans Crop Health Pidgeon Peas (Congo Beans) Appearance Cultivars Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Harvest Lima Beans Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Harvest Cowpeas Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Harvest Mung Beans Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Harvest Chick Peas Soil and Fertility Crop Health Lentils Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Harvest Faba Beans Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Harvest Field Peas (Green Peas) Growing Conditions Propagation Soil Fertility Crop Health Lesson 7. Pseudo Cereals Chia Quinoa Appearance Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Harvest Amaranth Appearance Cultivars Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Harvest Buckwheat Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Sesame Seed Cultivars Cultivation Soil and Fertility Crop Health Harvest Lesson 8. Processing Grains for Human Consumption Post-Harvest Processing Drying Morphologically Determining Moisture Content Portable Moisture Meters Simple Drying Test to Determine Moisture Laboratory Testing Types of Drying Natural Drying Heat-Drying (Hot Air Drying) When Is It Dry? Storage Aerating and Cooling Moisture Content in Stored Grain Treatment During Storage Mechanical Treatments Grain Processing for Consumption Hulling Wheat Processing Cleaning and Scouring Tempering Grinding/Milling of Wheat Bleaching the Flour Blending and Final Production of Flours Extraction Rate Processing Maize (Corn) Corn Refining Processing Rice Processing Oats Processing Pseudo grains Quinoa and Amaranth Fortifying Foods Lesson 9. Grains for Livestock Consumption Differences Between Crops for Human Consumption and Those for Animal Consumption C3 And C4 Grasses - C3 Plants - C4 Plants - Legume Forage - Mixed Grass and Legume Forages Nutrient-Dense Forages and Forage Quality Forage Maturity and Nutritional Value Forage Quality Palatability and Taste Intake Digestibility Nutrient Density Anti-Nutritional Factors Livestock Performance and Growth Specific Forage, Feed and Grass Types Feeding and Ration Calculations COURSE AIMS Classify important existing and emerging grains or cereals grown around the world and explain the production systems both large and small scale, used for growing, harvesting and storing grains in different countries. Describe important farm structures, equipment, vehicles, supplies and natural resources required for successful production of cereal/grain crops Describe and compare the properties and production systems of the major ‘cool season’ cereals, namely: wheat, triticale, spelt, barley, oats and rye. Describe and compare the properties and production systems of the major ‘warm season’ cereals, namely: maize, sorghum and millet Describe the four main broad habitats where rice is grown and explain the variety of production systems used within these different habitats. Explain and compare the production systems and uses of important cool and warm season pulse crops grown around the world. Describe production of ‘non-grasses’ that are existing or emerging as important‘cereals’, such as chia, quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat. Explain post harvest storage and processing methods used for cereals for human consumption and examine the various sales procedures used. Describe the production of important warm and cool season grasses used for forage and stock feed Describe the storage, processing and sale of cereals used for livestock and demonstrate the calculation of some sample stock rations. WHAT ABOUT PSEUDO GRAINS? Cereals are members of the grass family (Poaceae or Gramineae) that are grown for their edible seeds which contain high carbohydrate levels. Pseudo-cereals are grown for the same reason, but they are not members of the grass family. They are dicotyledons with broad leaves. They are therefore grouped as pseudo cereals/grains. This group includes quinoa, amaranth, chia, flax and buckwheat. Although none of them are as common as cereal grains like wheat and oats, pseudo grains have become increasingly popular in recent years as more people become aware of gluten intolerance and celiac disease. The pseudo cereals do not contain gluten and many contain more essential amino acids than cereal grains. They also contain significant levels of other nutrients such as B vitamins and iron. At present, they have not undergone as much accelerated breeding/hybridisation as cereal crops like wheat and maize and are thus closer to their natural forms. However, this is changing as due to increased interest in their agronomy and new strains are being developed with regard to growth, season length, and physical and chemical properties among others. Pseudo grains, although gluten-free, still contain several other chemical compounds that can cause serious digestive and immune problems. Three of these compounds – lectins, saponins, and protease inhibitors – are designed specifically as a chemical; defence to stop animals from eating seeds. The harmful effects of some of these compounds can be minimised by pre-treatments such as soaking, washing, fermenting and sprouting of seeds. Study cereals and grains – learn about what to plant where, seeds, propagation, cropping, environment – soil and climate, and much more. Know what to grow – where and at what times of year. This course provides essential knowledge for anyone looking to utilise land for the production of grains and cereals. STUDY WITH ACS You can start the course at any time. It is studied by distance learning, so you can study in the comfort of your own home. But this doesn't mean you are all alone in your studies. Our highly qualified and friendly tutors are there to help you every step of the way. If you have any questions at all, they are always happy to help. Each lesson includes set tasks, and is completed with an assignment which the student submits to their course tutor. The tutor will mark the assignment and return this to the student with comments and suggestions for further reading. Our courses are written and taught by experienced professionals, so you know you can expect a high quality of teaching and support. We provide full tutor support for all the time you are studying. Study where you want to – the choice of online studies or eLearning offer the flexibility for you to determine where and when you study. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS? If you have any questions or want help in choosing the right course for you, please do get in touch with us. CONTACT US. Connect with our specialist Agriculture tutors, use our FREE COURSE COUNSELLING SERVICE. LEARN MORE. Study with ACS – increase your skills and knowledge – advance your career – improve your business. Stay in Touch. Follow us on: Twitter Facebook Google