LC Ag Science study plan
LC Ag Science · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Animal production: nutrition, breeding, health and welfare & Plant and animal biology applied to agriculture
Distinguish monogastric, ruminant and hindgut-fermenter digestion and explain the fate of protein, fibre and fat in each
Calculate a simple ration on a dry-matter basis and check it against energy and crude protein targets for one class of stock
Compare breeding systems (purebred, crossbreeding, terminal sire) and define heterosis and estimated breeding value in your own words
List the five freedoms and match three common housing systems to welfare risks
Your checkpoint
A one-page digestion comparison table plus a worked dry-matter ration calculation with the arithmetic shown and a short comment on whether targets were met
Animal production: nutrition, breeding, health and welfare & Plant and animal biology applied to agriculture
Explain the oestrous cycle of one species and identify the timing of service or insemination relative to ovulation
Describe the main metabolic and infectious diseases of one production species, including signs, cause and prevention
Outline reproduction and lactation biology and link each stage to a feeding or management decision
Interpret a feed label or feed analysis and state which figures matter most for your chosen species
Your checkpoint
A species-specific health and reproduction summary sheet covering cycle length, gestation, key diseases and the preventative actions for each
Soils: formation, classification, physical, chemical and biological properties & Farm environment, sustainability and natural resource management
Describe soil formation factors and classify three local soil profiles by texture and structure
Measure and interpret soil pH, and explain how lime requirement is decided
Explain cation exchange capacity and nutrient holding in relation to clay and organic matter
Relate soil compaction, drainage and erosion risk to management practices that prevent them
Your checkpoint
A soil profile and fertility report for one site, including texture by feel, pH, estimated CEC class and three management recommendations
Soils: formation, classification, physical, chemical and biological properties & Crops: establishment, nutrition, protection and harvesting
Link soil nutrient status to a fertiliser programme for one crop, calculating product rates from nutrient requirements
Compare cultivation, establishment and sowing decisions for two contrasting crops
Identify the main weeds, pests and diseases of one crop and select appropriate control measures under integrated management
Explain how soil biology and organic matter cycling support crop nutrition
Your checkpoint
A crop management plan for one season that includes a fertiliser calculation, a weed and pest control schedule and a justification of the integrated approach
Crops: establishment, nutrition, protection and harvesting & Scientific practices and experimental skills in agricultural science
Determine harvest timing and quality criteria for one crop and describe post-harvest handling to limit losses
Design an experiment with a control, replication and randomisation to test one agricultural treatment
Distinguish accuracy, precision, reliability and validity and apply them to your own design
Select appropriate statistical or graphical treatment for comparing two treatments
Your checkpoint
A written experimental protocol of no more than 400 words with variables, replication, controls and a stated analysis method
Scientific practices and experimental skills in agricultural science & Coursework assessment: practical agricultural investigations
Collect and record primary data using a repeatable method and present it in an appropriate table and graph
Calculate means, ranges and a measure of variation, and interpret the result against your hypothesis
Evaluate sources of error and suggest specific improvements to method
Structure a practical investigation report with aim, method, results, discussion and conclusion
Your checkpoint
A complete practical investigation report with raw data, processed results, an error evaluation and a conclusion tied back to the aim
Agricultural economics, farm business and agri-food systems & Farm environment, sustainability and natural resource management
Construct a gross margin for one enterprise and identify the largest cost and income sensitivities
Explain how supply chains, markets and policy support affect farm business decisions
Assess one farm practice for its environmental impact and propose a more sustainable alternative
Describe nutrient budgeting and water or energy efficiency measures relevant to a farm
Your checkpoint
A gross margin budget with a sensitivity note plus a one-page sustainability appraisal of a chosen practice
Scientific practices and experimental skills in agricultural science & Soils: formation, classification, physical, chemical and biological properties & Crops: establishment, nutrition, protection and harvesting & Animal production: nutrition, breeding, health and welfare & Agricultural economics, farm business and agri-food systems
Answer timed mixed-domain questions and identify your three weakest areas
Re-derive key calculations from memory: ration dry matter, fertiliser rate, gross margin, dilution or concentration
Summarise each domain on a single revision card with definitions and one worked example
Practise explaining a data interpretation answer aloud in under two minutes
Your checkpoint
A full set of eight revision cards plus a timed mock paper with a self-marked error log listing the corrections you will revise
Milestones
Week 2: Can calculate a dry-matter ration and name the causes, signs and prevention of three livestock diseases without notes
Week 4: Can take a soil texture and pH reading, interpret it and convert a nutrient recommendation into a fertiliser product rate
Week 6: Has a complete practical investigation report that another student could repeat from the method alone
Week 8: Scores at least 65% on a timed mixed-domain mock and has a written list of the three areas still needing revision