Certificate in Agriculture

Well, if anyone is interested in doing a course in Agriculture then the certificate in Agriculture (undertaken through distance learning, I'm doing it with ACS Distance Learning) is really good.  It will take approx 2 years to complete part time and is split into three sections - Agricultural Marketing, Farm Management and Animal Health care. Within each section there are around 30 "lessons", each lesson has some topic notes and then an assignment. 

As agriculture is such a practical subject, the assignments often involve the student visiting a farm or smallholding establishment to do some research and then write an assignment based on their findings.  So far I have only completed 3 lessons and assignments in the Animal health care section, but it is v interesting and I feel I have learnt a lot of useful information.  The discipline of writing an assignments does mean that I am forced to take in the information I am reading.  Hopefully it will all come in handy one day :-)

Here is an extract from one of my assignments:

 "Animal welfare is the physical and psychological well being of animals.  It is measured by indicators such as the behaviour of the animal, it's physiology, longevity and re production.  The need for animal welfare stems from the belief that animals are sentient, i.e. they have feelings. 

The Farm Animal Welfare Council, established in 1979, stated that farm animals must benefit from the five freedoms, namely:

1. Freedom from thirst and hunger (and so must be provided with fresh water and suitable food);

2. Freedom from discomfort (and so must be provided with a suitable environment of shelter and resting area);

3. Freedom from pain, injury and disease (and as such there must be a rapid diagnosis of illness and then appropriate treatment given)

4. Freedom from fear and distress (and so be kept in conditions that avoid mental suffering) and, finally,

5. Freedom to express their normal behaviour (and so be provided with adequate space, facilities and company to do so)."

So there you are!