Agriculture
While some of the seats in these courses are normally reserved for students in an agriculture program, all students may take these courses if they meet the prerequisites and there is space.

AGRI 1035 credits
Introduction to Milking and the Dairy Farm
Prerequisite(s): AGRI 134, AGRI 183, AGRI 231
Corequisite(s): AGRI 104 and admission to the Milker Training program
Introduction to typical dairy farms; use and basic maintenance of milking equipment; practical herd health concerns and reproduction in the dairy cow; care of calves; basic physiology of the dairy cow, principles of nutrition and sanitation. Regulations affecting the dairy industry will be reviewed. Field trips at student expense will be required.

AGRI 1044 credits
Practical Milking Work Experience
Prerequisite(s): AGRI 134, AGRI 183, AGRI 231
Corequisite(s): AGRI 103 and admission to the Milker Training program
All students will participate in the care of dairy livestock in the UFV barn. Each student will be assigned work experience, without remuneration, on commercial host farms throughout the 12 weeks to develop their skills and efficiency. Students must provide their own appropriate work clothing and must have a valid driver's licence and reliable transportation. Work hours will include both early morning and late afternoon milkings. Host farmers will participate in the evaluation of each student.

AGRI 1213 credits
Introduction to On-Farm Food Safety, Quality, Security, and Defense
Prerequisite(s): Students should be familiar with basic record keeping, electronic mail and the world wide web before entering this course. Those with limited or no experience with PCs should take CIS 100 or equivalent before enrolling in AGRI 121.
This course examines how agriculture addresses food issues with regard to safety, quality, security, biosecurity, and defense. Students will learn how agricultural policy, practices, and human resource management play key roles in these issues by understanding how they work and fit into related on-farm programs used today. Current industry and government recognized programs across all types of commodities, where available, will be used throughout the course to showcase the principles and methods used to control the risks associated with these issues. For example: the HACCP-based (hazard analysis and critical control points) on-farm food safety programs and their principles for controlling food safety risks on-farm will be reviewed to demonstrate the potential hazards. Students will leave this course with a thorough understanding and experience of actual commodity and industry program principles and materials that affect each of these areas. Record-keeping tools, management practices, and training methods will be demonstrated and used by the student in-class exercises and assignments. Actual case studies, field trips, and labs will be used to provide some hands-on experience where possible. Audit preparation and skills will also be introduced to help the future farm manager or auditor prepare for an audit experience in any of these areas.

AGRI 1233 credits
Horticulture Skills and Techniques for Fall
Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Practical horticulture work skills for the late summer and fall seasons complement lecture material from a variety of horticulture production courses. Course work will vary depending on the weather, but will include: propagation, fall turf maintenance, seeding, sodding, ornamental plant pruning, horticulture tool and equipment handling and maintenance, garden renovation, and greenhouse production and maintenance. Students must participate in outdoor labs, regardless of weather, as well as in the greenhouse. All students must have steel-toed work boots, rain gear, work gloves, hand pruners and a pocket knife. Off-campus field trips such as the annual field trip will be required at student expense.

AGRI 1243 credits
Introduction to Horticulture
Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
This course introduces binomial nomenclature; the environmental factors affecting plant growth: physical, biological, and chemical control of plant growth, and an introduction to the major horticultural crop groups: fruits, vegetables, greenhouse crops, nursery crops, and turf.

AGRI 1293 credits
Horticulture Skills and Techniques for Winter
Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
Practical horticulture work skills for the winter and spring seasons complement lecture material from a variety of horticulture production courses. Course work may vary, depending on the weather, but will include propagation, spring turf maintenance, fruit tree pruning, greenhouse production and maintenance work, garden renovation, planting and transplanting, irrigation system trouble shooting, and taxonomic keys. Students must participate in outdoor labs, regardless of weather, as well as in the greenhouse. All students must have steel-toed work boots, rain gear, work gloves, hand pruners, and a pocket knife. Off-campus field trips will be required at student expense.

AGRI 1343 credits
Ruminant Animal Health
Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
The principles of disease infection, treatment, and prevention in ruminant livestock are introduced. Topics include reproduction, obstetrics, respiratory ailments, nutritional and infectious disease, and health management of dairy and beef cattle and other ruminants, as time permits.

AGRI 1393 credits
Management and Production of Poultry and Swine
Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
This course covers feeding, breeding, and management for commercial and purebred swine operations. Topics include production, marketing, facilities, equipment, swine herd health, and genetics. This course will also cover the poultry industry in Canada, mainly in the Fraser Valley at the farm level. The basics of feeding, breeding, and management of different types of poultry will be covered. Students will be required to participate in the care of departmental livestock outside of regular class hours. Field trips are required.

AGRI 1423 credits
Agribusiness Principles
Prerequisite(s): Students should be familiar with basic word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail, and the worldwide web before entering this course. Those with limited or no experience with PCs should take CIS 100 or equivalent before enrolling in AGRI 142
Corequisite(s): None
This course deals with the farm manager as a decision-maker. Topics include farm office, farm record-keeping and accounting, enterprise management, financial statements, cost accounting, break-even calculations, budgets, projections, production records, financial applications, and leverage. The use of computers to manage farm financial records (spreadsheets and data management programs) will be an integral part of this course.

AGRI 1533 credits
Introduction to Soils and Soil Fertility
Prerequisite(s): None
This course introduces soil as a medium for plant growth. Soil formation and the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil are introduced. Plant essential elements, inorganic and organic fertilizers, amendments, conditioners, and environmentally-sustainable nutrient management are also discussed. This course and AGRI 211 emphasize information and practices that can further the development or maintenance of ‘quality’ soils in field, nursery, and other in-ground growing environments.

AGRI 1633 credits
Pest Biology and Identification
Prerequisite(s): None
Students will be given an overview of the general biology of key groups of plant/livestock pests, including arthropods, weeds and biotic diseases. Management strategies based on pest life cycle and ecology will be emphasized. Laboratory sessions will emphasize identification of symptoms of pest attack and sight identification of a group of key pests. Students will also learn how to identify pests using keys and the services of the BCMAL plant diagnostic lab. Field trips will be required.

AGRI 1833 credits
Farm and Equipment Safety
Prerequisite(s): Completion of Level I First Aid certificate is recommended
Corequisite(s): None
This course includes the safe operation of farm machinery and power equipment, an introduction to Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) in the workplace, and safety and fire prevention on the farm and in the workplace.

AGRI 1923 credits
Practicum I
Prerequisite(s): Full-time status in one of the agriculture certificate or diploma programs, GPA minimum 2.0, and consent of the Agriculture department head
This is a three-week, on-the-job training course in agriculture. Students will work, without remuneration, for a selected host, in return for which valuable work experience and new skills will be acquired. Only full-time students who have successfully completed their current semester’s courses and have a minimum GPA of 2.0 are eligible to participate. Students’ grades for this course will be based on hosts’ evaluations. With instructor's permission, students may spend part of either AGRI 192 or AGRI 292 acquiring a credentialed skill such as artificial insemination training of cattle or equipment operation.

AGRI 1943 credits
Practical Horticulture
Prerequisite(s): Full-time enrollment in Horticulture Crop Production certificate program or instructor's permission
Students will become familiar with the horticultural aspects of grounds maintenance and greenhouse management, which may include some landscape construction techniques, pruning, fertilizing, planting/transplanting of landscape plant materials. Review of tools and equipment used in landscape maintenance work will be covered. Off-campus field trips are required, and students will be expected to work outdoors in inclement weather. All students must have their own steel-toed safety boots, rain gear, and work gloves. Work in the UFV greenhouses will be required.
Students should budget approximately $35 for field trips.

AGRI 2033 credits
Fundamentals of Pest Management
Pre- or corequisite(s): AGRI 163
This course emphasizes pest management as a decision-making process in a variety of settings, with a focus on collecting pest data via monitoring. Concepts such as economic injury level and action threshold will be discussed, and the concept of pest management strategies and tactics will be explored. Important pesticide issues will also be discussed, including pesticide treadmill, resistance, secondary pest outbreaks, and environmental impact. Examples from local agricultural commodities, horticultural commodities, and livestock will be used throughout the course to illustrate concepts. Students will be required to work in the UFV greenhouses or barn outside of class. Field trips are mandatory.

AGRI 2063 credits
Field Techniques in Pest Management
Prerequisite(s): AGRI 163, AGRI 203 or instructor's permission
This course focuses on tools and techniques used by growers and pest control professionals for detection, diagnosis, and management of pests. Research on new pest control products and on pest biology will be discussed, and students will conduct research. Different methods of communication including field days, presentations, and written reports will be practised. Examples from local agriculture, horticulture, and livestock will be used extensively throughout class.
Students will be required to work in the UFV greenhouses or barn outside of class. Field trips are required.

AGRI 2103 credits
Directed Studies in Agriculture
Prerequisite(s): A minimum overall GPA of 2.50 and instructor's permission
Under the guidance of one of the agriculture faculty members, students may pursue a research project in agriculture. Regular reports will be required as the project develops, and a final written report must be presented to the supervising faculty member.

AGRI 2113 credits
Soil Management and Conservation
Prerequisite(s): AGRI 153
This course covers managing soil as a non-renewable resource. Topics will include practical soil management for farmers, the main processes of soil degradation and their causes and effects, soil conservation on the farm, tillage, interpretation of soil maps, and introduction to agricultural and engineering classification of soil for land use planning. Students will be introduced to the role of geographic information systems and global positioning equipment in precision agriculture and land-use planning. Field trips will be required.

AGRI 2203 credits
Plants in the Landscape
Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
This course covers the identification, use, and maintenance of herbaceous and woody plants in the landscape. Site selection and individual plant growing requirements will be emphasized. Students must have their own transportation.
Field trips are a course requirement, and students should budget approximately $50 to cover travel costs throughout the semester.

AGRI 2223 credits
Vegetable Crop Production
Prerequisite(s): None
Field production of commonly grown vegetable crops in British Columbia will be discussed. Topics include site selection as influenced by environmental and economic conditions, field preparation, variety selection, and cultivation practices. The culture of mushrooms and ginseng are covered as an essential part of the course. Field trips may be required outside regular class hours, including Saturdays. Saturday field trips will be held in conjunction with other Agriculture department courses to provide students with an integrated overview of agriculture in British Columbia. Students should budget approximately $40 for field trips. This course is only offered in even-numbered years.

AGRI 2233 credits
Fruit Crop Production
Prerequisite(s): None
Field production of commonly grown fruit crops in British Columbia will be discussed. Topics will include site selection as influenced by environmental and economic conditions, field preparation, variety selection and cultivation practices. If time permits, the culture of some tropical fruits may be discussed. Field trips may be required outside regular hours, including Saturdays. Saturday field trips will be held in conjunction with other Agriculture department courses to provide students with an integrated overview of agriculture in British Columbia. Students should budget approximately $40 for field trips. This course is only offered in odd- numbered years.

AGRI 2243 credits
Greenhouse Production
Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
This course will cover the basic structures, facilities and machines used, and review the production of the major florist and vegetable crops grown in the British Columbia greenhouse industry. Students are required to work in the UFV greenhouse outside of regular class hours. Field trips may be required outside regular class hours, including early mornings and Saturdays. Bus fare of approximately $10 may be required.

AGRI 2273 credits
Nursery Production and Propagation Practices
Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
The production of commonly grown nursery crops in British Columbia will be covered. Topics include propagation, site selection and preparation, and basic nursery management. The scope of the nursery and landscape industry in B.C. will be explored, along with the various aspects that make up this vibrant, growing industry. Special topics such as biosecurity, exports, and imports will be discussed. Work in the UFV greenhouse and grounds, as well as several field trips to local nurseries and production areas, may be required outside of regular class hours.

AGRI 2283 credits
Forage Crop Production
Prerequisite(s): None
The production and use of commonly grown forage crops will be covered. Topics include forage establishment, maintenance, harvest, and storage. Emphasis will be on maximizing the use of homegrown forages to meet the nutritional requirements of today’s high-producing animals.

AGRI 2313 credits
Dairy Production and Management
Corequisite(s): AGRI 134 or instructor's permission
The feeding, breeding, and nutrition of dairy animals is covered. Topics include the production, processing, and marketing of milk, as well as an overview of dairy farm facilities and management. Emphasis will be placed on dairy herd improvement through sound management and applied genetics. Students will be required to participate in the care of departmental livestock outside of regular class hours. Off-campus field trips are required.

AGRI 2373 credits
Introduction to the Health and Nutrition of Farm Animals
Prerequisite(s): None
This course covers and integrates the basic facts concerning the nature of nutrients and their metabolism with the use of common feedstuffs on farms. The students will study commercial production facilities and practices that lead to or prevent common livestock diseases. Conventional and new procedures used to prevent and control diseases will be covered.

AGRI 2383 credits
Equine Production and Management
Prerequisite(s): None
Corequisite(s): None
This course covers feeding, breeding, and management for horse owners. Topics include equine medical disorders, lameness, nutrition, facilities, reproduction management of both the mare and stallion, and equipment. Discussion of the different equine sectors and field trips will be included.

AGRI 2393 credits
Management and Production of Beef, Sheep, and Goats
Prerequisite(s): None
The feeding, breeding, and management of beef, sheep, and goats will be covered. Specific topics will include production, genetics, and health, as well as marketing of these animals. Facilities and equipment will also be discussed. Students will be required to participate in the care of departmental livestock outside of regular class hours. Field trips are required. This course is only offered in odd-numbered years.

AGRI 2473 credits
Enterprise Project: Part I
Prerequisite(s): A C grade in AGRI 142 or BUS 100 (Note: Students should take CMNS 125 before taking AGRI 247)
Corequisite(s): CMNS 251
Students will develop a complete business plan designed to obtain support from investors and lenders for an independent agricultural venture. In part I students, in consultation with faculty, will prepare market analysis, determine organizational structure, outline operational objectives, and prepare financial projections for the first year of operations.
A grade of credit (CR) must be achieved to be eligible to continue with part II.

AGRI 2483 credits
Enterprise Project: Part II
Prerequisite(s): AGRI 247
Note: Students are encouraged to complete AGRI 247 and AGRI 248 in the same academic year.
Pre- or corequisite(s): CMNS 251
In part II of the course, students will make any required revisions to the first year of the business plan and complete years two and three. They will prepare a final written copy of the business plan and prepare it for presentation to a select committee of faculty and industry experts.

AGRI 2713 credits
Sustainable Holistic Agriculture: Planning and Practices
Prerequisite(s): AGRI 153 required; AGRI 211 and AGRI 247 recommended
The concepts of sustainability and holism are applied to agricultural planning and practices. The inter-related social, environmental, and economic issues that comprise holistic enterprise planning are discussed and scientifically-sound, practical agri-production information for low-input sustainable systems is presented. Holistic operating practices for an agricultural business and The B.C. - Canada Environmental Farm Planning Program are explored.

AGRI 2723 credits
Agriculture Seminar Series
Prerequisite(s): None
Students will attend, help present, and discuss a series of seminars which address topical agriculture issues in areas such as Policy and Trade, Innovation, Gender, Research, Problem Solving, Natural Resources, World Food Supply, and Demographics. Guest lecturers will be included. Seminar content will change from year-to-year; topics will present information that is new to most students or that adds to information presented in other agriculture department offerings. Students, in groups or individually, will research and present a short seminar in an approved area of interest. Students will be given a problem-solving and decision-making assignment related to one or more topics.

AGRI 2923 credits
Practicum II
Prerequisite(s): AGRI 192, full-time status in one of the agriculture diploma options, GPA minimum 2.0 and consent of the Agriculture department head
This course follows AGRI 192 and provides agriculture technology diploma students with a second three-week on-the-job training course in agriculture. Students will work without remuneration for a selected host, in return for which valuable work experience and new skills will be acquired. Only full-time students who have successfully completed their current semester’s courses and have a minimum GPA of 2.0 are eligible to participate. Students’ grades will mainly be based on hosts’ evaluation. With instructor's permission, students may spend part of either AGRI 192 or AGRI 292 acquiring a credentialed skill such as artificial insemination training of cattle or equipment operation.

Last updated: April 11, 2008