NES3015 : Agritech & Precision Farming
- Offered for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Ankush Prashar
- Co-Module Leader: Mr James Standen
- Lecturer: Dr Dave George, Prof. Neil Boonham
- Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 10 |
| ECTS Credits: | 5.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
This module aims to provide students with an of the understanding of the main principles underlying the technologies and methodologies being developed for, and used in, modern precision farming. It draws upon examples from both combinable and non-combinable cropping systems, across field-based and protected cropping systems, to cover the benefits and the limitations associated with different technologies and methodologies, developing students analytical skills and demonstrating how these approaches can assist decision making on farm.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module will use examples from a broad range of cropping scenarios to demonstrate how utilising agri-technology and precision farming can assist growers to identify and implement efficient production systems. The module will incorporate the use of a variety of technological precision systems, including global satellite navigation, remote sensing of crops and soils, automation and application of data use in crop management (including variable-rate applications of seed, fertiliser and pesticide applications).
Lectures will provide the basic understanding of topics, and will be reinforced through hands-on learning delivered through farm visits and computer practicals.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 8 | 2:00 | 16:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 8:00 | 8:00 | Presentation preparation for the assessment |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 59:00 | 59:00 | Including directed reading and research |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 4:00 | 4:00 | Using data processing and analysis to support crop production (computer practical) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 8:00 | 8:00 | To deliver presentations for the module assessment and access broader learning opportunities through peer observation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 1 | 5:00 | 5:00 | To view agri-technology and precision agriculture approaches being trialled and/or implemented at NU-Farms |
| Total | 100:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Specialist staff are involved to deliver up-to-date lectures, including permitting students to have the opportunity to review and utilise precision farming approaches. The intention of the module is that it is not separated into components associated with each specialism, more that the principles of production and crop management are incorporated into an holistic approach crop production systems that includes consideration for the entirety of the rotation, soil types, cost, availability of staff and equipment, aiming to minimise inputs whilst maintaining or improving yield and quality of outputs. Farm visits and computer practicals reinforce standard lecture material, with the assessment affording the opportunity for peer-to-peer learning across a range of crops not covered by the core lecture material.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 15 | 1 | A | 100 | Novel crops presentation |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessment will allow students to demonstrate their learning during the module and apply this to a 'novel crop' that has not been considered within the core lecture material. In this way the assessment also broadens the crop types covered by the module, facilitating wider peer-to-peer learning.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- NES3015's Timetable