A key introductory text for agricultural students. Covers a broad range of agriculture topics to introduce students to agricultural practices, including: crops and pasture; animal production; farm management and economics; climate change and the future of farming.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Introduction Chapter 1 Understanding Agriculture Introduction World Population Food supply and demand Science and economics in managing productive systems Part 2 Resources and Farming in Australia Chapter 2 Agricultural Resources of Australia Climate in Australia Land Irrigation water Agricultural production around Australia Chapter 3 Farming Introduction The farm economy Part 3 Fundamental Processes of Plant Production Chapter 4 Principles of Plant Production Introduction How crop and pasture plants grow Soil fertility and plant growth Chapter 5 Practice of Plant Production Introduction Agricultural field crops Pasture plants Crop or pasture establishment Protection from weeds, insect pests and diseases Managing soil fertility Part 4 Fundamental Processes of Animal Production Chapter 6 Principles of Animal Production Introduction Animal functions Environmental adaptation Feed conversion Feed requirements Pastures and grazing Chapter 7 Practice of Animal Production Beef Lamb Wool Milk Intensive controlled-environment animal activities Poultry for eggs Poultry for meat (broilers) Broilers Part 5 The Whole Farm Business Chapter 8 Whole Farm Analysis: Principles Introduction Four principles and the one approach to farm management analysis Chapter 9 Whole Farm Analysis: Practice Introduction Farm performance Whole farm financial management Analysing change on farms Risk and agricultural production Part 6 Changing Agriculture Chapter 10 Sustaining Agriculture Introduction Sustainability Sustaining the state of natural resources Towards more sustainable farming systems Chapter 11 Improving Cropping Activities Introduction Improving the profitability of dryland cropping Chapter 12 Improving Grazing Activities Introduction Improving profitability from grazing land Improving high-rainfall pastures in southern Australia Chapter 13 Changing Climate Introduction Greenhouse gases and global climate Climate change and future global climates Future Australian climates Adaptation of Australian agriculture to climate change Mitigation of greenhouse gases in agriculture Appendices Glossary Index

About the Author

Bill Malcolm - Associate Professor, School of Land and Environment, University of Melbourne Peter Sale - Associate Professor and Reader, Department of Agricultural Sciences, La Trobe University Brian Leury - Associate Professor, School of Land and Environment, University of Melbourne Snow Barlow - Professor, School of Land and Environment, University of Melbourne