- Description
- Students demonstrate the techniques used to produce a field crop, focusing attention on industry trends, crop selection, genetics and reproduction, and production skills. Potential areas of specialization include the production of cereals, forage, oil seeds, pulse crops, mushrooms, spices/herbs, vegetables, fruits, medicinal plants and exotic plants.
- Prerequisite
- AGR2030: Field Crops 1
- Parameters
- Access to a land laboratory. Facilities and equipment should permit students to perform practical skills in two areas of plant production; e.g., soil preparation, seeding/propagation, crop cultivation, irrigation/fertilization, pest/weed/disease control, harvesting.
- Supporting courses
- HCS3000: Workplace Safety Systems
Outcomes The student will:
1 identify trends in the production and use of new varieties of field crops
1.1 research production and consumption patterns within Alberta, Canada and the global community
1.2 describe the impact of economic, environmental and social trends on production practices within the industry; e.g., international trade and global competition, trade liberalization, rural and urban populations, food safety and consumer confidence, consumer demands, support for research and development, environmental stewardship and sustainable development
1.3 identify market factors that influence crop selection, including:
1.3.1 market demands
1.3.2 market size, location and access
1.3.3 market competition
1.3.4 market trends
1.4 describe financial opportunities related to crop production, considering:
1.4.1 fixed and variable costs
1.4.2 forecast of returns
1.4.3 risk factors
1.4.4 income stabilization programs
1.5 describe land requirements and the suitability of soil and water conditions to production operations
1.6 describe the suitability of Alberta’s climate to potential crops, considering:
1.6.1 growing days
1.6.2 frost-free days
1.6.3 ambient temperature
1.6.4 soil temperature
1.7 describe ways in which government regulations, policies and guidelines may influence production
1.8 predict future production on the basis of current issues and trends
2 describe principles of genetics and reproduction and explain their application to field crop species
2.1 classify field plants according to:
2.1.1 growth habit
2.1.2 taxonomy
2.2 identify field plants, using:
2.2.1 common names
2.2.2 botanical nomenclature
2.3 research principles of heredity and their application to plants that are grown, considering:
2.3.1 dominant and recessive traits
2.3.2 selection criteria and procedures
2.3.3 systems of breeding
2.4 research reproduction technologies and their application to plants that are grown; e.g., propagation techniques, genetic engineering
2.5 describe procedures used within the industry to maintain the quality of plants; e.g., selection criteria and regulations, showing and judging, grading systems and standards, record keeping and record systems
3 demonstrate practical skills in producing a field crop
3.1 perform basic field crop production activities; e.g., soil preparation, seeding/propagation, crop cultivation, irrigation/fertilization, pest/weed/disease control, harvesting
3.2 apply knowledge of plant management practices, including:
3.2.1 characteristics of plant health and disorders
3.2.2 remedial strategies for plant disorders
3.2.3 disease and pest control
3.2.4 plant growth management
3.3 demonstrate techniques for the sustainable use of natural resources, including management practices related to:
3.3.1 soil fertility and conservation
3.3.2 water quality and the hydrologic cycle
3.4 explain concerns regarding plant management practices and sustainable production systems, including:
3.4.1 soil, water and air quality
3.4.2 organic and inorganic amendments
3.4.3 biological and chemical control measures
3.4.4 effluent disposal and pollution
3.4.5 food safety and consumer confidence
3.5 demonstrate adherence to relevant legislation and policy through production management activities, considering:
3.5.1 environmental constraints
3.5.2 inspection, regulation and quality control
4 demonstrate basic competencies
4.1 demonstrate fundamental skills to:
4.1.1 communicate
4.1.2 manage information
4.1.3 use numbers
4.1.4 think and solve problems
4.2 demonstrate personal management skills to:
4.2.1 demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours
4.2.2 be responsible
4.2.3 be adaptable
4.2.4 learn continuously
4.2.5 work safely
4.3 demonstrate teamwork skills to:
4.3.1 work with others
4.3.2 participate in projects and tasks
5 create a transitional strategy to accommodate personal changes and build personal values
5.1 identify short-term and long-term goals
5.2 identify steps to achieve goals
Program of Studies 2010. Source document, © Alberta Education.