Course ID: AGRO 3453, Forage Crops, FALL 2008

 

Prerequisites: AGRO 1033

 

Text(s) and supplemental books and materials:

Southern Forage, 3rd Ed. by Don Ball, G. S. Hoveland, and G. D. Lacefield.  Potash & Phosphate Inst.

 

Professor’s name: Paul B. Francis, AG 103, 460-1314, francis@uamont.edu

 

Office hours: M,W,F 11-12, 4-5; T, Th 10-12, 3-5 or by appointment.

 

Special policies statement:

1. Any student caught in an intentional, premeditated and blatant act of cheating on any exam will be given the option of withdrawing from the course or receiving an ‘F’. 

2. Attendance at all class functions is highly encouraged but not required.  Attendance records will be kept on file for the occasional request from student loan representatives and potential employers.  Please notify the instructor if you are having to miss a class meeting so that it can be recorded as an excused absence.

 

Special dates of concern:

Oct. 3 – Deadline to file for May graduation (seniors take note)

Nov. 5 – Last day to drop with a ‘W’.

We will also try to attend the annual meeting of the Arkansas Forages and Grasslands Council.  The cost will be approximately $10.

 

Goals and objectives:

This course is designed to give the student an understanding of forages and forage crop management for hay, grazing, wildlife or multiple use.  General areas of emphasis will be in:

            - the role of forages in agriculture, wildlife management, soil and water

               conservation and society,

            - terminology and units of measurement used in forages,

            - forage establishment, renovation and management,

            - forage and forage weed identification,

            - development of a pasture management plan,

            - proper design of forage grazing systems,

            - the role of forages in livestock systems.

 

Provisions for tests and evaluations:

If you miss an exam for a legitimate reason, please inform the instructor within 5 days prior or after so that a makeup exam can be scheduled.  In some situations, the missed points or make up exam may be added to the final exam.  Legitimate reasons are things like official University functions, illness, trauma, or other reasons such as a job interview.

 

 

Tentative itinerary:

test                  topics                                                              chapters          est. time

 1         Terminology, botany of grasses and legumes,        1,3,9-12           3 weeks

            ecological principles, forage basics.

 2         Forage quality, hay, silage, physiology.                   13-23               4 weeks

 3         Forage species.                                                           4-8, handouts 4 weeks

4          Pasture management.                                               2,11,25-32       4 weeks

 

Grading policy:

            Three 100 pt lecture exams                                      300 pts

            Final, comprehensive exam                                      100 pts

            Forage collection                                                       100 pts

            Pasture management plan                                          50 pts

            Plant I.D. quizzes                                                       50 pts

                                                            Total                           600 pts

 

Letter grade assignment:      A: 540+           B: 480-539      C: 420-479      D: 360-419

 

NOTICES:

“It is the policy of the University of Arkansas at Monticello to accommodate individuals with disabilities pursuant to federal law and the University’s commitment to equal educational opportunities.  It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor of any necessary accommodations at the beginning of the course.  Any student requiring accommodations should contact the Office of Special Student Services located in Harris Hall Room 120; phone 870 460-1026; TDD 870 460-1626; Fax 870 460-1926.”  

 

“UAM will no longer mail grade reports to all students.  You may access your grades through Campus Connect on the UAM Homepage, www.uamont.edu.  To have your grades mailed to you, complete the grade request form available in the Registrar’s Office in Monticello, or the Student Services Office in Crossett or McGehee.”

 

“The following action is prohibited under the Student Conduct Code: Disorderly Conduct: Any behavior which disrupts the regular or normal functions of the University community, including behavior which breaches the peace or violates the rights of others.”