Advanced Diploma in Animal Production

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with a proper understanding, knowledge, and skills in Animal Production. These are crucial in a continuously changing livestock production environment faced with climate change, and development of different adaptation strategies and new technologies. A learner will be able to:

• Effectively communicate information and deploy essential techniques of the discipline effectively in their field of study and work context.
• Develop a research proposal, execute the research, analyse the data and communicate the findings.
• Exhibit a detailed knowledge and demonstrate an understanding of discipline-specific theories, and the scientific principles of genetics, reproduction, nutrition, physiology, and environment and how these areas integrate into affecting animal production.
• Evaluate the economic performance of livestock enterprises and explain how management decisions influence performance and profitability.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the various species of livestock, their traditional and non-traditional production systems, and the industries associated with the respective species.
• Recognise how production systems can be improved by manipulation and management and identify and address the ethical and environmental implications of production systems.
• Exhibit many of the characteristics of a life-long learner, possessing a questioning and critical sense of curiosity, self-motivated, reflective, and capable of employing a range of metacognitive skills and learning strategies.

Learners must also be able to evaluate and apply advances in biotechnology to ensure a sustainable future for livestock farmers and a competitive market for animal products. The qualification will equip the learners with investigative and research skills needed to solve current production problems in the industry. It will further deepen their understanding of the main aspects of Animal Production, and the associated business management and advisory skills needed by these practitioners.

Rationale

The increase in world population suggests a need to increase agriculture production to feed this increasing population. This trend means the country needs animal production practitioners who align with the science and technology associated with modern animal production. The norms and standard for extension and advisory services in agriculture state that "On average, an extension officer has three years of post-matriculation agricultural Diploma qualification, which is inadequate for equipping the officer with the requisite skills and competencies to achieve the desired outputs." This predicament, therefore, necessitated a need to develop a qualification that will improve the skills of the graduates and meet the required standards for extension officers needed by the country. This qualification will result in the learner qualifying for employment as an agriculture advisor (extension officer), and the learner can also further their studies by enrolling for an Honours qualification in Animal Production.

The learner of this qualification can seek self-employment both as a livestock farmer and livestock unit manager. Further, the qualification provides a sound base for those learners aspiring for advanced training in specialised areas of Animal Science. Additional careers include employment in government (extension and research departments), farms, breed societies, feed companies, educational institutions and also as consultants. This qualification will assist the learners in being technical advisors in government and livestock-related organisations.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for the mature learners seeking to enrol the RPL process will involve the application, assessment, and acknowledgement of knowledge and skills obtained through informal and non-formal learning. The institute intends to exempt learners from specific modules. For exemption of modules, an applicant should have gained knowledge in particular areas through informal and non-formal learning, and this knowledge should be closely related to the Exit Level Outcomes of the Advanced Diploma in Animal Production. In this case, there will be an assessment of the applicant's knowledge against the learning outcomes of a particular module, for recognition. Based on the assessment results, the applicant will be able to enrol and may apply for exemption from some subjects/courses.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a

• National Diploma in Agriculture in Animal Production, NQF Level 6.

Or

• Bachelor of Agriculture, NQF Level 7.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 6 and 7 totalling 156 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 64 Credits

• Research Methods and Biometry, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Farm Business Management, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Agricultural Extension, 12 Credits.
• Processing of Animal Food Products, 12 Credits.
• Aquaculture, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 92 Credits

• Advanced Ruminant Production Systems, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Animal Nutrition, 14 Credits.
• Advanced Pasture Management, 14 Credits.
• Advanced Non-Ruminant Production Systems, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Animal Breeding, 16 Credits.
• Research Project, 16 Credits.

1. Effectively communicate information, arguments and analysis in a variety of forms and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively in their field of study and a work context.
2. Develop a research proposal, execute the research, analyse data and communicate the findings.
3. Exhibit a detailed knowledge and demonstrate an understanding of discipline-specific theories, and the scientific principles of genetics, reproduction, nutrition, physiology, and environment and how these areas integrate into affecting animal production.
4. Evaluate the economic performance of livestock enterprises and explain how management decisions influence performance and profitability.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the various species of livestock, their traditional and non-traditional production systems, and the industries associated with the respective species.
6. Recognise how production systems can be improved by manipulation and management and identify and address the ethical and environmental implications of production systems.
7. Be prepared for successful careers and continuous professional and personal growth.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.

• Collect, synthesise and critically evaluate new information and research data in any chosen livestock production topic.
• Communicate the findings to peers, in writing, and oral format, including the definition of the topic or problem, justification and contextualisation of the research conducted, and defence of the conclusions reached.
• Design and conduct (under supervision) a simple research project by executing an in vivo experiment.
• Develop a project proposal with explicit rationale and justification and a relevant methodology.
• Collect data and communicate findings orally and in writing.
• Apply laboratory techniques and statistical methods for the collection and analyses of experimental data in Animal Production.
• Evaluate their suitability for addressing specific research questions.
• Apply advanced breeding and selection practices and integrate into a breeding management programme.
• Formulate rations for various livestock species.
• Develop a strategic animal nutrition plan to support the production of livestock and animal products.
• Describe and evaluate a wide range of economic and business management theory and techniques.
• Develop an agri-business management plan for a livestock enterprise which includes an input for production, processing and value-adding processes.
• Analyse and interpret financial information to evaluate the growth and sustainability of the agri-business.
• Identify, evaluate and apply relevant scientific principles to different livestock production systems.
• Describe the various reproductive and nutritional biotechnologies used in livestock production; Recognise and address the ethical implications of different production systems.
• Reflect (under supervision) individually or in group sessions on their knowledge, skills and attitude, and design and plan a learning path.

Integrated Assessment

• The development of module-specific assessment will guarantee the quality of assessment;
• The assessment will be against predetermined assessment criteria;
• The design of all assessments will encourage an appropriate mix of techniques and interrogation, in learners, of the acquisition of knowledge, skills and appropriate/desirable attitude as consistent with targeted learning outcomes;
• The development of the assessment criteria will be in line with the National Qualification Framework (NQF) Level Descriptors.

Assessment Methods

• Apart from traditional approaches to assessment, effort shall be made in an endeavour to incorporate new and developing technologies;
• A variety of assessment methods will be both theoretical and practical. Assessment methods will include written essays, research projects, reports, time-constrained assignments and examinations, class debate, report, and case study analysis;
• Each module will assess using a variety of classroom techniques applicable to learning situations as informed by the NQF Level Descriptors.

Frequency of Assessments

• For non-research modules, there will be a minimum of two (2) tests, two (2) assignments and minimum of two (2) practicals; these shall account for 50% of Summative Assessment for the course per semester.
• For a research module, the learners will write one review assignment on methods used when conducting research and also develop a proposal for implementation in the research project course.
• For the project-based module, the use of a written report and oral presentation. The written report/manuscript shall contribute 60%, and oral presentation shall represent 40% of the final mark.

Forms of Assessments

The assessment shall maintain the dual nature of being formative and summative.

• The Formative Assessment will provide regular feedback on the performance of the learners, and such assessment will be in line with the learning outcomes.
• A minimum of two Summative Assessments per semester per module and these shall be 50% of Summative Assessment for each module.