Course Descriptions

AGR105 AGRICULTURE APPLICATIONS IN TECHNOLOGY (3). Introduces the student interested in agriculture to a variety of computer technologies which will assist in a successful career in agriculture. Word processing, spreadsheet, and PowerPoint skills are developed as a basic core for the management of information necessary to make production decisions. Web page development and use of integrated farm management software are also included. Each Fall/Each Spring.

AGR108 PRINCIPLES OF CROP AND ANIMAL SCIENCE PRODUCTION I (4). A systems approach to animal and crop production. Focuses on activities, which occur in the production cycle during the fall of the year. Topics include silage production, poultry production, sheep breeding, equipment maintenance, corn and soybean harvesting, and fall tillage techniques. Emphasis is given to appropriate stewardship of natural resources. Laboratory. Each Fall.

AGR109 PRINCIPLES OF CROP AND ANIMAL SCIENCE PRODUCTION II (3). A systems approach to animal and crop production. Focuses on activities which occur in the production cycle during the spring of the year. Topics include forage establishment, corn and soybean selection and establishment, weed control, lambing, and livestock selection and evaluation. Emphasis is given to appropriate stewardship of natural resources. Laboratory. Each Spring.

AGR115 FUNDAMENTALS OF HORTICULTURE (4). Biology and technology involved in the production, storage, processing, and marketing of horticulture plants and products. The laboratories will involve plant propagation and production as related to vegetable and flower gardening. Laboratory. Each Fall/Each Spring.

AGR122 AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS (3). Provides a basic understanding of macro and micro economic relationships related to the production, processing, distribution, and utilization of agriculture commodities. Includes economic principles and changing trends in American agriculture. Each Fall/Each Spring.

AGR202 FOUNDATIONS OF AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION (3). A foundation for understanding agricultural education. Focuses on the development of successful programs in agriculture and extension education. Topics addressed include: youth programs, in-class instruction, adult education, curriculum development, laboratory teaching and learning, and supervised experience programs. Each Spring.

AGR209 SOIL CONSERVATION (3). Introduces the fundamental concepts in conserving and managing basic natural resources. Emphasis is on soil and water conservation with some attention to wind erosion. Practices, methods and technologies used in conservation and management are studied. The laboratory introduces field procedures. Laboratory. Alternate years. Fall 2006.

AGR210 MEAT ANIMAL SCIENCE (3). The movement of beef, pork, lamb, veal and poultry and their products from the raw product at the producer level through the processing channels to the consumer. Includes markets, by-products, preparation, and consumption. Laboratory. Prerequisites: AGR108 or AGR109. Each Fall.

AGR217 AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY AND PEOPLE (3). A study of the impact of agricultural technology upon people affected by the change. The specific study situation is focused upon mechanization (the cotton picker), the mass migration of 5 million black sharecroppers from the Mississippi Delta from 1946 into the mid 1960s, and the resulting social conditions found today in the South . Each Fall.

AGR219 WORLD FOOD (3). Analysis of problems involved in meeting current and prospective world needs for food and fiber. Emphasis is on education, production, marketing, credit, organization, and policy in other countries. There are practical exercises in crosscultural negotiating techniques, international trade, and import-export of agricultural goods. (Intended for general education.) Each Spring.

AGR275 AGRICULTURE PRACTICUM (1-2). Provides students with the opportunity for hands on experience, developing skills and learning production techniques in areas such as crop machinery, horticulture, and farm management. One semester hour requires 30 hours of work per semester. Topics are announced in the semester schedule. May be repeated when topics vary. Each Fall/Each Spring.

AGR300 WEED CONTROL (3). A study of weeds, their identification, reproduction, and methods of control. Emphasis on mode of action, formulations, and application of herbicides. Laboratory. Prerequisites: CHM211 recommended. Each Fall.

AGR305 SHEEP SCIENCE (4). Includes concepts of selection, reproduction, nutrition, and herd health management involved in a successful sheep enterprise. Laboratory. Prerequisites: AGR108 or AGR109; AGR312 recommended. Alternate years. Spring 2006.

AGR306 LIVESTOCK EVALUATION AND JUDGING (3). Acquaints the student with the scientific application of selecting meat-type animals and dairy cattle of outstanding dairy character. Covers breeds, anatomy, judging terminology, placings and reasons for beef, dairy, sheep and swine. Prerequisite: AGR108 or AGR109. Alternate years. Fall 2006.

AGR307 TEACHING WOODS, METALS, MOTORS, AND ENGINES (4). The introduction and development of skills necessary to teach basic woods, metals, motors, and engines in a secondary education setting. Focuses on the development of curriculum, including laboratory exercises, for the secondary agricultural educator. Laboratory. Offered as needed. Not offered 2005-06.

AGR312 ANIMAL NUTRITION (4). The fundamentals of animal nutrition and feed-stuffs including principles of digestion, absorption, assimilation, and utilization of nutrients, balancing rations, and identification of feedstuffs. Laboratory. Prerequisites: AGR108 or AGR109, and CHM211. Each Spring.

AGR313 FORAGE CROP PRODUCTION (3). A study of the characteristics, requirements, uses, identification, production of the principle forage plants, and the management of meadows and pastures. Importance of grassland agriculture and farm management implications involved. Emphasis on intensive grazing systems as well as transitional systems to utilize natural resources in a responsible and efficient manner. Laboratory. Prerequisite AGR108 or AGR109. Alternate years. Spring 2007.

AGR314 SWINE SCIENCE (4). Topics include selection of breeding stock, reproduction, feeding, and management of a swine enterprise. Laboratory. Prerequisites: AGR108 or AGR109; AGR312 recommended. Alternate years. Fall 2006.

AGR315 BEEF PRODUCTION (4). Topics include selection of breeding stock, reproduction, feeding, and management of cow-calf and cattle feeding enterprises. Laboratory. Prerequisites: AGR108 or AGR109; AGR312 recommended. Alternate years. Spring 2007.

AGR316 DAIRY SCIENCE (4). Covers the production phase of the dairy industry including selection, feeding, breeding, herd health, and management practices important to quality milk production. Laboratory. Prerequisites: AGR108 or AGR109; AGR312 recommended. Alternate years. Fall 2005.

AGR 317 SOILS (4). An introduction to the basic concepts and components of soils and how they relate to plant growth and human existence. Emphasis is on the relationship between soil’s physical and chemical characteristics and crop production. Laboratory introduces students to the analysis of soils. Laboratory. Prerequisite: CHM211. Each Fall.

AGR321 AGRICULTURAL FINANCE (3). A study of techniques and principles of finance applied to agricultural investments. Includes financial intermediation, financial intermediaries, preparation and interpretation of financial statements and cash flows, and capital investment analysis using discounted cash flows. Computer analysis of lab problems. Prerequisite: AGR122. Alternate years. Spring 2007.

AGR322 COMMODITY MARKETING (3). This course focuses on agricultural commodity marketing practices and procedures from a farmer perspective. It explains the tools of marketing, use of futures markets, market analysis, and development of a marketing plan. It serves students returning to the farm or entering the grain merchandising industry. Each Spring.

AGR323 METHODS OF TEACHING AGRICULTURE (4). An examination of the learning process with emphasis on planning for instruction and the use of teaching skills in vocational agriculture and extension education. Laboratory. Each Fall.

AGR325 SOIL FERTILITY (3). Chemical, biological, and physical properties of soils in relation to factors affecting soil productivity, soil management, and crop production. Principles guiding use of lime, manure, and fertilizers will be studied. Laboratory. Prerequisite: AGR317. Alternate years. Fall 2006.

AGR350 TOPICS IN AGRICULTURE (3). Provides an opportunity for advanced study in various fields of agriculture. Possible topics include: farm and building design, biotechnology, global positioning and the impact on agriculture, animal health and care, and food security. Topics will be announced in the class schedule. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing or permission if instructor. Offered as needed.

AGR403 GRAIN CROP PRODUCTION (3). A study of the production of small grains, the principles of classification, varieties, improvement, culture, rotations, seed selection, seed production and distribution, harvesting, marketing, and grading wheat, barley, oats, corn, rye, and soybeans ($10 fee). Prerequisite: AGR108 or AGR109. Alternate years. Fall 2005.

AGR405 FARM MANAGEMENT (4). Focus is on business practice and economic theory applied to production agriculture. Includes problem identification, enterprise and whole farm budgeting. Production economic principles applied to farm decisions, investment decisions in land, improvements, and machinery, and labor relations are topics of discussion. Laboratory. Prerequisite: AGR122. Each Fall.

AGR413 SEMINAR IN ANIMAL SCIENCE (3). Recent advancements in technology and animal husbandry, dealing with phases of livestock production in which creativity and independent study are emphasized. Prerequisite: AGR108 or AGR109. Alternate years. Spring 2007.

AGR445 AGRICULTURAL POLICY (3). Economic analysis of U.S. food and agricultural policy, international trade, domestic and foreign food assistance, rural development, technological change, and emerging issues in energy, land, and water use. This course focuses on the political aspects of agriculture. Prerequisite: AGR 122. Alternate years. Fall 2006.

AGR460 INTERNSHIP (1-6). A student initiated, designed, and executed occupational learning experience. On-the-job work experiences are integrated with educational objectives to give students an opportunity to broaden their learning experiences. Scope is as broad as student’s imagination. Co-op arrangements are eligible for this credit. Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing.

AGR475 AGRICULTURE PRACTICUM (1-2). see AGR275. Each Fall/Each Spring.
AGR495 RESEARCH PARTICIPATION (3). Student participation in a research project which is either part of a faculty member's ongoing research or of the student's own design. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Each Fall/Each Spring.