CERTIFICATE IN AGRICULTURE VAG001

Distance Learning Agriculture Certificate

Study this Agriculture qualification

This course provides students with the broad knowledge they require to work in middle management of farms and in other parts of the agricultural industry. 

If you are planning on a career within the agricultural industry, this course will provide you not only with the knowledge that you require but the flexibility to study around your current work or commitments.  You also have the benefit of expert advice from our agricultural tutors who together share years of experience both in the industry and in educating students.

Course Structure

The Certificate in Agriculture is a 600 hour course comprising 3 core; modules as listed below and 3 electives (choose from the electives list below). Click on each module to view detailed outlines.

Core Modules (3):

Farm Management (BAG104)

There are 8 lessons as follows:

1. Strategic Planning
2. Business Plans
3. Business Assessment
4. Viability Analysis
5. Management Strategies
6. Human Resources
7. Physical Resources
8. Natural Resources

Click here for more information on the Farm Management course

Agricultural Marketing (BAG304)

This course is comprised of eight lessons, outlined below:

1. Agricultural Marketing Concepts
2. Farm Marketing Strategies
3. Target Marketing
4. Handling Produce
5. Customer Relations
6. Market Research
7. Promotions
8. Managing Marketing

Find out More on Agricultural Marketing

Animal Health Care (VAG100)

There are twelve lessons as follows:

1. Introduction to Animal Health Care
2. Common Health Problems in farm animals and pets
3. Animal Behaviour
4. Signs of Ill Health
5. Veterinary Facilities
6. Safety Procedures
7. Administration of Animal Health
8. Animal First Aid
9. Preventative Health Care
10. Routine Health Treatments
11. Health Problems in Domestic Pets
12. Rehabilitation Care

Click here to find more on Animal Health Care

Electives (choose 3 from the following):

Pigs (BAG209)

There are 9 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Breeding & Selection
3. Feeding
4. Diseases
5. Managing the Boar
6. Managing the Sow & Litter
7. Managing of Fattening Pigs
8. Economics & Records
9. Managing a Piggery

For more information on Pigs click here.

Sheep (BAG210)

There are 8 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction; Terminology and Breeds
2. Selection and Breeding
3. Nutrition of Sheep
4. Diseases of Sheep
5. General Management of a Commercial Flock
6. Care of the Lamb
7. Wool
8. The Marketing of Sheep and Sheep Products

Click here for information on the Sheep course.

Beef Cattle (BAG206)

This course is divided into 10 lessons, as follows;

1. Introduction to Beef Production and Beef Cattle Breeds
2. Beef Cattle Production Systems
3. Beef Cattle Breeding
4. Diseases in Beef Cattle (Viral and Bacterial)
5. Diseases in Beef Cattle (Parasites, etc.)
6. Nutrition for Beef Cattle
7. Commercial Herd Management
8. Feed Lot Management
9. Stud Herd Management
10. Management, Economics and Marketing

Click for information on Beef Cattle.

Dairy Cattle (BAG205)

There are nine lessons as follows:

1. Dairy Breeds
2. Dairy Products
3. The Lactation Cycle
4. Pests & Diseases of Dairy Cattle
5. Feeding Dairy Cattle
6. Managing Dairy Cattle
7. Breeding Dairy Cattle
8. Managing Dairy Facilities
9. Dairy Business Planning

More information on Dairy Cattle

Aquaculture (BAG211)

There are 10 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction To Aquaculture
2. Production Systems - EP and IP
3. What Species To Farm
4. Trout
5. Barramundi
6. Bass
7. Freshwater Crayfish
8. Setting Up A Fish Farm
9. Fish Foods & Feeding
10. Harvesting

Click here for more on Aquaculture

Poultry (BAG208)

There are eight lessons as follows:

1. Introduction: terminology, pure breeds, cross breeds, brooders, commercial farming options.
2. Feed, Nutrition & Digestion.
3. Poultry Diseases
4. Laying Hens: extensive, semi intensive and intensive systems, housing, feeding the layer.
5. Broilers : the brooding period, feeding boilers, housing, hygiene and health
6. Incubation : natural, artificial, managing the incubator, reasons for poor hatchability.
7. Brooding: heating, feeders, drinkers, floor space, rearing.
8. Poultry Business: records, growth records, egg production records, costing a small scale operation, marketing

More on the Poultry Course.

Soil Management (BAG103)

There are 8 lessons as follows:

1. Physical & Chemical Properties Of Soils
2. Soil Testing Methods
3. Sustainable Soil Management
4. Soils & Managing Earthworks
5. Land Degradation & Other Soil Problems
6. Container Growing
7. Soil Science & Health
8. Soil Management

More detailed information on Soil Management course.

Pasture Management (BAG212)

There are 8 lessons as follows:

1. Introduction to Pastures
2. The Grass Plant
3. Pasture Varieties
4. Site Considerations
5. Establishing New Pastures
6. Managing Existing Pastures
7. Managing Stock on Pasture
8. Pasture Management Work Tasks

Click here for information on Pasture Management.

Horse Care I (BAG102)

There are seven lessons as follows:

1. Horse Psychology & Handling
2. Buying A Horse
3. Conformation
4. The Digestive System & Principles Of Feeding & Watering
5. The Grass Kept Horse & Pasture Management
6. Grooming
7. Industry Applications

Click here for more on Horse Care I.

Calf Rearing (BAG207)

There are 7 lessons as follows:

1. Calving & Culling
2. Calving Management
3. Calf Health Management
4. Calf Rearing Systems
5. Calf Housing
6. Weaning
7. Post-Weaning

Calf Rearing - more detailed information.

Duration:  600 hours

SUGGESTED READING

Profitable Farming  by John Mason (Principal of ACS Distance Education).

http://acsebook.com/products/2237-profitible-farmingcoming-soon.aspx

Fee Payment Options

You can pay either

• Full Fees
• In Two Parts
• In Four Parts

If you pay in full on enrolment, the fees are discounted. If you pay in 2 parts, the first half of the course is supplied initially; and the second part payment is not made until you have completed the first half (at which time the second half of the course is supplied). If you pay in 4 parts, the first half is still supplied; you are then billed a second payment (due 2 months later). The third payment becomes due when you commence the second half of the certificate. You can be either pay fees in one or two parts.

More Information on A.C.S. Distance Education and our courses

Who are our tutors?

Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.

Sample Course Notes

Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses and so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.

What learning method should I choose?

We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”

How Long will it take to complete the course?

This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing.   We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.

Longer courses will obviously take longer.   You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”

What Do Our Students think of us?

If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.

I don’t think this is the right course for me.

If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.

You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.

If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk

Recognition and Accreditation

For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.

Who is ACS Distance Education?

If you want to know more about A.C.S and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”

What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?

This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study. If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it. If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course. If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments. There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax. Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process. You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above. You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.

BOOKS   Visit our bookshop at www.acsebook.com 

Suitable for people wanting to work in the field of agriculture or those who simply want to improve their general knowledge of agriculture. Study in your own time at your own pace. Learn from our highly qualified and experienced tutors. This course develops your capacity to work confidently on a specialized or mixed farm.

Core units equip you with all the basics needed for understanding:

• general animal health management 

• farm management

• marketing skills

Choose three elective units from a list that includes: soil and pasture management, calf rearing, poultry, beef or dairy cattle etc. An excellent starting point for learning the basics of farming.

This course is internationally accredited through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council (I.A.R.C.)