Digital Agriculture Technology

Basic First Aid & CPR techniques taught in an interactive environment for individuals and employees who want an overview of First Aid & CPR in the workplace or home. The course covers skills needed to recognize, prevent and respond to cardiovascular emergences for Adults, CPR and other topics such as choking, airway and breathing emergencies, and prevention of disease transmission. This course meets the minimum regulations for Workplace Health & Safety for Basic First Aid. Participants who meet the required standard receive a nationally recognized certification that is valid for three years. Textbook included in cost of tuition.

In this course, students learn about the operation, management and economics of equipment used in agricultural production systems of Western Canada. Students learn about specific requirements and types of equipment for cereal and forage production. Students are exposed to industry through visits, expert talks and equipment walk arounds at various dealerships and manufacturing facilities in the area. Students also learn about Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSH) and Regulations and Safe Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to tractors operation, seeding, spraying, harvesting, forage and hay management equipment. Students also learn about equipment selection and preparation of machinery cost evaluation report for a specific agricultural enterprise.

This course introduces students to key features, challenges and sustainable management of the prairie agro-ecological landscape systems. Based on various field and laboratory exercises and guided site tours, this course provides hands-on training to students by introducing them to various agricultural and environmental sites discussing origin, development and classification of soils, water resources, wetlands and river dynamics, crop agronomy and weeds identification, wild-life habitat, forestry and shelterbelts, the Dominion Land Survey (DLS), mapping and Global Positioning System (GPS), agricultural equipment and livestock production.
Based on field and laboratory exercises and tours, this course introduces students to key features of the prairie agro-ecological landscape. Various aspects are discussed including soils, water, native vegetation, the Dominion land survey, map reading, and crop and livestock production. The concepts of integrated watershed management and the use of mapping and GPS technology are introduced.

Prerequisites: AGRC-0295 Crop Pest Management, AGRC-0290 Soil & Soil Fertility, HLTH-0277 Occupational Health and Safety, AGRC-0219 Crop Production Systems, Cumulative weighted grade point average (CWGPA) of 2.0 or greater
This course requires a minimum of 600 hours of full-time, paid, related work experience. The workplacement is subject to prior approval of and monitoring by a faculty member. Credit is based on successful completion of the work placement plus assignments based on the student's work experience.

This course improves students’ ability to navigate the college experience and environment, including student's rights, roles, and responsibilities. In this course, students reflect on their skills, attitudes, and expectations and develop learning strategies to help them to become successful, resilient, and self-directed learners. The course covers topics such as success in online learning, time management strategies, learning strategies, assessment taking strategies, academic integrity, information and digital literacy, and wellness, among others. It integrates elements of student orientation.

Students learn the factors that make for profitable commodity marketing in Canada. From classifications, grades, end uses, production, export, consumption, macroeconomics and currency rates, students will gain a better understanding to follow fundamental factors influencing price. Students identify significant grade determinants and practice grain grading techniques while gaining an understanding of supply chain management. Students also learn price risk management strategies to preserve profit margin and increase net returns. A variety of marketing tools such as delivery contracts, hedges and options are examined. Technical analysis, along with basis tracking and assessment skills, are provided to enable the producer to select and time effective market entry and exit. Students gain hands-on experience using a marketing information service platform.

This course will help students communicate better in the work world.  Using technology as a communication tool, students will learn to write, present, organize and interpret data, and interact with the online world.  

Co-requisite: AGRC-0162 Agro-Ecology Field Laboratory
Students learn integrated pest management skills to provide sustainable pest (weed, disease and insect) management solutions for major crops in Western Canada. Students learn to understand biology, identification and cultural control of agricultural pests at various lifecycle stages. Pest monitoring and scouting techniques are also examined in detail to determine pest severity and population threshold levels during field investigations. Research on benefits of pest forecasting using pest sampling, remote sensing and aerial imagery are also examined. Integrated pest management tools, especially cultural, mechanical and biological control (natural enemies and predators) are discussed in detail to help students design pest management programs for major crops in Western Canada.

Prerequisite: AGRC-0278 Food Production Methods
This course covers the production of cereal grains, oilseeds, legumes, forages and special crops. Topics include the history and development of crop production and plant breeding. Students focus on the anatomy of cultivated plants and the key production practices unique to each crop including crop establishment, harvest and storage. Students examine the concepts of sustainable decision making in cropping systems as it relates to crop rotation and managing plant health. This course includes a hands-on laboratory component focused on crop staging and health.

Prerequsitie: AGRC-0290 Soil & Soil Fertility
Corequisite: AGRC-0294 Livestock Production
In this course, students investigate the basic soils properties and geological features of the region. Students also examine the physical landscape focusing on land and water and its interconnection and interdependence within an agricultural production system. Students gain knowledge on soil erosion, water sources, water quality, environmental regulations, risk assessment and best resource management practices. Students also learn about an environmental farm plan to identify farm related environmental and safety issues.

Prerequisites: PEST-0103 Pesticides in Agriculture, AGRC-0295 Crop Pest Management, AGRC-0219 Crop Production Systems, AGRC-0290 Soil & Soil Fertility
Corequisite: COMP-0570 Precision Agriculture
This advanced agronomics course focuses on best management practices to maximize returns. Students analyze production factors and practices including crop rotation, tillage, soil fertility, soil health, cultivar selection, planting strategies, pest management, biosecurity and harvesting techniques. A systems approach to crop management is emphasized using multiple case studies where students will focus on enhanced crop diagnostic skills and sustainable crop production decisions. This course includes a field component that focuses on scouting and the development of crop plans.

Corequisite: ENVR-0038 Environmental Land Management
Students explore the livestock enterprises common to Canadian food production on a national and provincial basis. Students learn about current and emerging on-farm production for each class of livestock and assess the strengths and weaknesses of each livestock sector. Reproduction, marketing, slaughter, and processing are included as part of on-farm production discussions. Digestive systems and nutritional requirements of ruminant and non-ruminant livestock are examined. Students learn to analysis feed components and forage quality while being introduced to ration formulation. Students compare forage razing systems, riparian management and pasture management systems including their role in greenhouse gas mitigation. Emphasis is on the fact that the consumers desired end product, determines on-farm production practices.

Learn the importance of having a safety first attitude and the responsibilities of owners, supervisors and employees in applying safe work skills. From primary production to agri-retailservice and input supply, businesses require detailed safety systems and programs to manage and control hazards. As agribusinesses grow larger and become specialized with larger equipment, the need for customized components within a safety system increases. Training on Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS 2015), updated with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification, Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG), for safe shipping, transporting, receiving and handling of crop protectionproducts and Anhydrous Ammonia is also provided. Safety requirements for businesses covered provincially (Workplace Safety and Health Act-W210) and federally (The Canada Labour Code) is discussed. Gain hands-on experience implementing a safety and health system for an employer in a group project and host a safety workshop showcasing their applied safety training.

Prerequisite: MATH-0106 Agribusiness Math
Students learn the unique properties of pesticide products, proper use, handling and storage of pesticides, safety and health precautions for the student and the environment, and emergency responses and procedures. They focus on proper application and dispensing of agricultural pesticides in accordance with federal and provincial legislation. Students demonstrate pesticide rate calculations, sprayer calibration techniques and proper pesticide complaint handling procedures. A focus is placed on pesticide rotation to prevent the development of pesticide resistance. This course prepares the student for the Pesticide Core and Agriculture Ground exams required for licensing as a pesticide applicator/dispenser.

Prerequisites: MATH-0106 Agribusiness Math, AGRC-0162 Agro-Ecology Field Laboratory
In this course, students investigate the nature and properties of soils, i.e. how physical, chemical, and biological properties and processes within soils influence the crop growth and development. Students also analyze the key topic of development, degradation and conservation of soil resources. Methods of soil sampling and soil test interpretation are also discussed in details to help students understand the nutrient requirements of crops of Western Canada. Students learn to determine crop nutrient requirements, deficiency symptoms and select proper fertilizer application techniques based on sustainable soil management practices. This course also prepare students to decision-making as it relates to crop nutrient requirement calculations, fertility planning and application of agricultural fertilizers using suitable agricultural machinery.

Prerequisite: GEOS-0026 GIS Analysis; GEOS-0021 GIS Database Management
The course builds on the foundational GIS knowledge and skills acquired at the introductory level and guides students in the development of increasingly sophisticated spatial and geostatistical analyses. Students will learn how to perform different types of spatial analyses, identify the types of questions different analysis approaches can answer, critically evaluate the advantages and limitations of different approaches, and gain a better understanding of the use of capabilities of spatial analysis. Students will apply model building tools to advanced geostatistical methods. Spatial modelling and analysis techniques like spatial interpolation, multi-criteria decision making, Fuzzy Logic, predictive modelling, regression, network analysis, routing, site selection and data mining skills will be explored.

Corequisite: GEOS-0026 GIS Analysis
The course introduces students to computer-assisted cartographic methods and processes. Emphasis is on map design and cartographic communication using computer-assisted cartographic techniques. Students examine multimedia cartographic visualization prospects. Cartographic ethics are observed and adhered to during the various cartographic products generated.

Prerequisites: GEOS-0023 GPS Applications, GEOS-0026 GIS Analysis
Evaluate precision agriculture equipment options (including operation and training) to meet the agronomic and economic suitability for a variety of agricultural conditions and concerns. Install, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair precision agriculture software and hardware systems. Integrate a variety of different digital agricultural field data types using precision agriculture software to provide recommendations for sustainable cropping decisions.

Prerequisite: GEOS-0018 Cartography
Students explore the basic principles and theories related to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications. Students apply these principles to different industry management situations using a variety of GIS software packages. Using fundamental GIS concepts, students explore the vector and raster data analysis geoprocesses. Various methods of spatial data manipulation and interpolation are implemented along with grid cell analysis.

Co-requsite: GEOS-0023 GPS Applications
In this course, students explore how geospatial data is created, shared and stored. Topics will focus on data management, conversion and manipulation within a geospatial context. Initial focus is on data transfer, sources of digital geographic data and geographic data formats. Students progress into advanced database solutions, including theory and design of a relational database. Interface design principles of data input, complex queries, relationship classes, topological rules, hierarchical geospatial data layers, domains and classes are applied to spatial and non-spatial data.

In this course, students will explore how geospatial data is created, shared and stored. Topics will focus on data management, conversion, and manipulation within a geospatial context. Initial focus is on data transfer, sources of digital geographic data and geographic data formats. Students will progress into advanced database solutions, including theory and design of a relational database. Interface design principles of data input, complex queries, relationship classes, topological rules, hierarchical geospatial data layers, domains and classes are applied to spatial and non-spatial data.

Pre-requsite: GEOS-0026 GIS Analysis
Co-requisite: GEOS-0017 Advanced Spatial Analysis
This course familiarizes students to the use of GIS cloud and server resources. Students evaluate and implement systems using three cloud service models (infrastructure, platform, and software services). The setup of server and cloud services for creating maps, managing spatial data, and processing spatial data will be accomplished. Students explore a range of open source and close source (proprietary) GIS industry service systems. This course integrates GIS programming skills in a variety of different situations such as custom geoprocess analysis and web integration.

Co-requsite: GEOS-0021 GIS Database Management
This course introduces students to the application of tools related to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). Decision-making as it relates to Global Positioning System (GPS) implementation is stressed. Students learn proficiency in operating a variety of GPS equipment, mission planning, data collection, data accuracy, documentation, processing and field techniques. Students are exposed to innovative GPS equipment and mapping techniques. Emphasis is placed on data collection, quality and management.

This course introduces students to GIS programming software to create applications using the graphical user interface (GUI). Students develop visual and event-oriented approaches to programming. Instruction covers the development interface, the use of most available controls and their properties, cutting-edge interface design methods, debugging techniques and programming tips. This integrates GIS programming skills in a variety of different situations such as custom geoprocess analysis and web integration.

Prerequisite: GEOS-0026 GIS Analysis, GEOS-0018 Cartography
This course implements the fundamental skills and principles involved in acquiring, manipulating, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting remotely sensed data. The data is presented or integrated with other data forms for direct implementation within a GIS. The students learn to manipulate digital and non-digital images using a variety of software packages. An overview of digital image processing techniques for commercial and research-based remotely sensed earth resource monitoring systems is provided. Emphasis is on the use and interpretation of passive (optical) satellite imagery using both automated and semi-automated information extraction. Learners are introduced to microwave sensing (radar). Various standard image enhancements, formats and analysis procedures are practiced.