This module is designed to provide Agricultural Science students with the opportunity to travel abroad (to New Zealand), to work as part of a team to deliver the scheduled itinerary for the benefit of all participants, to develop networking and leadership skills, and to expose students to the principles of profitable dairying in New Zealand, The Five Production Systems of New Zealand, and to collaborative partnership arrangements more commonly found in New Zealand. Students will also experience at first hand working on a large-scale pasture-based dairy farm during the busy spring calving period.

 

Practicalities

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

1. Work effectively as part of a team to deliver the scheduled itinerary of the study tour
2. Enhance networking and leadership skills
3. Determine the key principles of profitable pasture-based dairy production in New Zealand
4. Knowledge of ‘The Five Production Systems’ practiced in New Zealand - the common collaborative partnership arrangements that facilitate career progression to farm ownership in New Zealand
5. Critique the routine farming practices in New Zealand and compare to that Ireland
6. Reflect on and analyze the learning experiences from the 13-week study tour and work placement