Summary Report 2 ‘Soils and Crops’ Submit an electronic copy (as a Word document) via LMS This report will be a summary of the most important information that you have compiled and considered in relation to your work on soils and crops of a selected international agricultural system. Report, in your own words, the … Continue reading “selected international agricultural system | My Assignment Tutor”
Summary Report 2 ‘Soils and Crops’ Submit an electronic copy (as a Word document) via LMS This report will be a summary of the most important information that you have compiled and considered in relation to your work on soils and crops of a selected international agricultural system. Report, in your own words, the key findings and your interpretations as related to soils and crops in the agricultural system that you have been researching (include in this report no more than two crops). Introduce your agricultural system (Introduction), describe its key components (Description of soils, climates, on-farm workforce and income) including a Table of inputs and costs and also expected yield and income (and therefore approximate expected profit), identify key constraints, and gap(s) in knowledge regarding the production system (or components) (Current constraints to production). Also, summarise current research activities targeted to improve aspects of the soil management and crop productivity of your agricultural system (Current and future research), before making a brief conclusion (s). See marking rubric (below) for more details. If your focus is on an animal production system, then please frame your report around the sources of plant products used as feed and alternatives, their feed-quality (nutritive value), costs, animal products (and expected income), and issues of waste disposal (e.g. nutrient loads to surrounding soils/water, possible environmental impacts). Alternatively, focus on one main plant product feed source and report how this crop (e.g. forage pasture or harvested for hay/feed) is grown to produce that feed supply. You can use Tables containing lists/dot-points in a user-friendly format – this can be an efficient way to summarise information in a clear way, without long text. In this assignment, any Tables or Figures should be included after the main text and before the reference list. An explanatory caption is essential for each Table/Figure and helps the readers to understand each Figure and/or Table (a good caption means that Figures and Tables can each ‘stand-alone’ i.e., can be read and understood without having to read all the other text). The words in the caption are not included in the word limit. However, you must refer to each Table and Figure in your main text (e.g., Table 1), and so as to ‘lead the reader by the hand’ through the information presented. The Table and/or Figure can be prepared by your group and reproduced in each team member’s report (or a team member might want to modify it in some way); it is fine to share these components of the Table and Figure, but you must acknowledge the people involved in making the Table or Figure in the caption and you must ensure that all text in the main body of the report is your own text (no shared text). Make sure your Table (s) and/or Figure (s) also provides the references used to construct these, and the references are also included in your reference list. The length of summary report text must not exceed 500 words (including in text referencing), excluding your reference list, Figures and Tables. A penalty will apply if the report exceeds 500 words. The UWA policy for an assignment that exceeds the word limit is that a penalty of 1 per cent of the total mark allocated for the assessment task be subtracted for each 1 per cent in excess of the word limit. We recommend that the text is single spaced (e.g., Times New Roman, Font 12) so as to aid readability. Finally, we strongly recommend that you ‘spell-check’ your document before you submit your document as simple spelling errors detract from the presentation. Marking Rubric for Summary Report 3 ‘Soils & Crops’ CriteriaPerfectHigh DistinctionDistinctionCreditPassPartial failComplete failTitle Max marks, 5Outstanding title that is directly relevant to the topic, makes sense, is concise and in active voice, PLUS clever. 5Excellent title that is directly relevant to the topic, makes sense, is concise and in active voice. 4Very good title that is relevant to the topic, makes sense, is concise, but in passive voice. 3.5Good title that is relevant to the topic, mostly makes sense, but is in passive voice or is too long. 3Satisfactory title that is relevant to the topic, mostly makes sense, but is in passive voice AND is too long. 2.5Unsatisfactory title that is irrelevant or nonsensical. 1.5No title provided. 0Introduction Max marks, 10Provides outstanding context (e.g., industry size, lists production system and location, states crop/pasture and livestock system) that is directly relevant and complete. Concludes with report aims. Outstanding clarity and logical flow of ideas. Statements fully referenced. 10Provides excellent context (e.g., industry size, lists production system and location, states crop/pasture and livestock system) that is relevant and complete. Concludes with report aims. Excellent clarity, with only minor issues in logical flow of ideas. Statements fully referenced. 8Provides very good context (e.g., industry size, lists production system and location, states crop/pasture and livestock system) that is mostly relevant and complete. Concludes with report aims. Very good clarity, but with some issues in logical flow of ideas. Statements referenced, but 1 or 2 omissions. 7Provides good context (e.g., industry size, lists production system and location, states crop/pasture and livestock system) that is mostly relevant, but incomplete. Concludes with report aims. Good clarity, but with some issues in logical flow of ideas. Statements referenced, with more than 2 omissions. 6Provides satisfactory context (e.g., industry size, lists production system and location, states crop/pasture and livestock system) that is mostly relevant, but incomplete. Concludes without report aims. Satisfactory clarity, but with several issues in logical flow of ideas that impedes readability. Serious reference omissions and/or includes irrelevant references. 5Unsatisfactory context (e.g., industry size, lists production system and location, states crop/pasture and livestock system) that is irrelevant. Concludes without report aims. Poor clarity, with many issues in logical flow of ideas that impedes readability. No relevant references provided. 3No introduction and aims provided. 0Description of soils, climate, plants, workforce and income Max marks, 20Outstanding description of soil, climate, plant and on- farm workforce components of agricultural system; description is relevant and complete. Explains inputs and their costs, yield and its income value. Supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Outstanding clarity andExcellent description of soil, climate, plant and on-farm workforce components of agricultural system; description is relevant and complete. Explain inputs and their costs, yield and its income value. Supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Excellent clarity, with only minor issues inVery good description of soil, climate, plant and on-farm workforce components of agricultural system; description is mostly relevant and complete. Explain inputs and their costs, yield and its income value, with only minor omissions. Generally well supported using relevant data in text,Good description of soil, climate, plant and on-farm workforce components of agricultural system; description is mostly relevant, but incomplete. Explain inputs and their costs, yield and its income value, with only minor omissions. Not fully supported using relevant data in text,Satisfactory description of soil, climate, plant and on-farm workforce components of agricultural system; description is mostly relevant, but incomplete. Explain inputs and their costs, yield and its income value, but with major omissions. Not fully supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures.Unsatisfactory description of soil, climate, plant and on-farm workforce components of agricultural system that is irrelevant. Does not explain inputs and their costs, yield and its income value. Not supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures.No description of soils, climate, plants and on-farm workforce provided. 0 logical flow of ideas. Statements fully referenced. 20logical flow of ideas. Statements fully referenced. 16tables or figures, with some minor omissions. Very good clarity, but with some issues in logical flow of ideas. Statements referenced, but 1 or 2 omissions. 14tables or figures. Good clarity, but with some issues in logical flow of ideas. Statements referenced, but with more than 2 omissions. 12Satisfactory clarity, but with several issues in logical flow of ideas that impedes readability. Serious reference omissions and/or includes irrelevant references. 10Poor clarity, with many issues in logical flow of ideas that impedes readability. No relevant references provided. 6 Current constraints to production Max marks, 30Outstanding description of main bio-physical constraints (e.g., climate, water, soil properties, pests/weeds/diseases, etc.) to the agricultural system; description is justified and complete. Outstanding explanation of magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints provided. Supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Outstanding clarity and logical flow of ideas. Statements fully referenced. 30Excellent description of main bio-physical constraints (e.g., climatic, water, soil properties, pests/weeds/diseases, etc.) to the agricultural system; description is justified and complete. Excellent explanation of magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints provided. Supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Excellent clarity, with only minor issues in logical flow of ideas. Statements fully referenced. 24Very good description of main bio-physical constraints (e.g., climatic, water, soil properties, pests/weeds/diseases, etc.) to the agricultural system; description is mostly justified and complete. Very good explanation of magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints provided, with only minor omissions. Generally well supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures, with some minor omissions. Very good clarity, but with some issues in logical flow of ideas. Statements referenced, but 1 or 2 omissions. 21Good description of main bio-physical constraints (e.g., climatic, water, soil properties, pests/weeds/diseases, etc.) to the agricultural system; description is mostly justified, but incomplete. Good explanation of magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints provided, with only minor omissions. Not fully supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Good clarity, but with some issues in logical flow of ideas. Statements referenced, but with more than 2 omissions. 18Satisfactory description of main bio-physical constraints (e.g., climatic, water, soil properties, pests/weeds/diseases, etc.) to the agricultural system; description is mostly justified, but incomplete. Explains magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints, but with major omissions. Not fully supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Satisfactory clarity, but with several issues in logical flow of ideas that impedes readability. Serious reference omissions and/or includes irrelevant references. 15Unsatisfactory description of main bio-physical constraints (e.g., climatic, water, soil properties, pests/weeds/disease s, etc.) to the agricultural system that is irrelevant. Does not explain magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints. Not supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Poor clarity, with many issues in logical flow of ideas that impedes readability. No relevant references provided. 9No description of current constraints to production provided. 0Current and future researchOutstanding description of main bio-physical constraintsExcellent description of main bio-physical constraints (e.g.,Very good description of main bio-physical constraints (e.g.,Good description of main bio-physical constraints (e.g.,Satisfactory description of main bio-physical constraints (e.g., climatic,Unsatisfactory description of main bio-physicalNo description of current constraints to Max marks, 15(e.g., climate, water, soil properties, pests/weeds/diseases, etc.) to the crop/pasture production in the agricultural system; description is justified and complete. Outstanding explanation of magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints provided. Supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Outstanding clarity and logical flow of ideas. Statements fully referenced. 15climatic, water, soil properties, pests/weeds/diseases, etc.) to the crop/pasture production in the agricultural system; description is justified and complete. Excellent explanation of magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints provided. Supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Excellent clarity, with only minor issues in logical flow of ideas. Statements fully referenced. 12climatic, water, soil properties, pests/weeds/diseases, etc.) to the crop/pasture production in the agricultural system; description is mostly justified and complete. Very good explanation of magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints provided, with only minor omissions. Generally well supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures, with some minor omissions. Very good clarity, but with some issues in logical flow of ideas. Statements referenced, but 1 or 2 omissions. 10.5climatic, water, soil properties, pests/weeds/diseases, etc.) to the crop/pasture production in the agricultural system; description is mostly justified, but incomplete. Good explanation of magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints provided, with only minor omissions. Not fully supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Good clarity, but with some issues in logical flow of ideas. Statements referenced, but with more than 2 omissions. 9water, soil properties, pests/weeds/diseases, etc.) to the crop/pasture production in the agricultural system; description is mostly justified, but incomplete. Explains magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints, but with major omissions. Not fully supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Satisfactory clarity, but with several issues in logical flow of ideas that impedes readability. Serious reference omissions and/or includes irrelevant references. 7.5constraints (e.g., climatic, water, soil properties, pests/weeds/disease s, etc.) to the crop/pasture production in the agricultural system that is irrelevant. Does not explain magnitude or likely order of importance of the constraints. Not supported using relevant data in text, tables or figures. Poor clarity, with many issues in logical flow of ideas that impedes readability. No relevant references provided. 4.5production provided. 0Conclusion (s) Max marks, 5Outstanding conclusion(s), based on the content of the report, and that are well-aligned with the aims outlined in the Introduction. Outstanding clarity and logical flow of ideas. 5Excellent conclusion(s) based on the content of the report, and well- aligned with report aims outlined in the Introduction. Excellent clarity, with only minor issues in logical flow of ideas. 4Very good conclusion(s), mostly based on the content of the report, and mostly aligned with report aims outlined in the Introduction. Very good clarity, but with some issues in logical flow of ideas. 3.5Good conclusion(s), mostly based on the content of the report, but not aligned with report aims outlined in the Introduction. Good clarity, but with some issues in logical flow of ideas. 3Satisfactory conclusion(s) that are not based on the content of the report, or not aligned with report aims outlined in the Introduction. Satisfactory clarity, but with several issues in logical flow of ideas that impedes readability. 2.5Unsatisfactory conclusion(s) that are not based on the content of the report and not aligned with report aims outlined in the Introduction. Poor clarity, with many issues in logical flow of ideas that impedes readability. 1.5No conclusion (s) provided. 0 Tables/Figures Max marks, 10Outstanding presentation of supporting data in figures and/or tables. All figures and tables are referred to in the text, and have descriptive (and numbered) captions that are self- explanatory (stand alone from the text). Tables/figures constructed by the author (not cut-and- paste) using a consistent format throughout. Tables/figures constructed by the team are identified, and the contribution of team members acknowledged. 10Excellent presentation of supporting data in figures and/or tables, with minor issues in clarity. All tables and figures referred to in the text, and have descriptive (and numbered) captions that are self- explanatory (stand alone from the text). Tables/figures constructed by the author (not cut-and- paste) using a consistent format throughout. Tables/figures constructed by the team are identified, and the contribution of team members acknowledged. 8Very good presentation of supporting data in figures and/or tables, with minor issues in clarity. All tables and figures referred to in the text, and have descriptive (and numbered) captions that are mostly self- explanatory (stand alone from the text). Tables/figures constructed by the author (not cut-and- paste) using a mostly consistent format throughout. Tables/figures constructed by the team are identified, and the contribution of team members acknowledged. 7Good presentation of supporting data in figures and/or tables, with one or two major issues of clarity. All tables and figures referred to in the text, and have descriptive (and numbered) captions that are mostly self-explanatory (stand alone from the text). Tables/figures constructed by the author (not cut-and- paste) using a mostly consistent format throughout. Tables/figures constructed by the team are identified, and the contribution of team members acknowledged. 6Satisfactory presentation of supporting data in figures and/or tables, with one or two major issues clarity. Tables and figures mostly referred to in the text, and have descriptive (and numbered) captions, but they are not self- explanatory (stand alone from the text). Tables/figures mostly constructed by the author (not cut-and- paste) using a mostly consistent format throughout. Tables/figures constructed by the team are mostly identified, and the contribution of team members acknowledged. 5Unsatisfactory presentation of supporting data in figures and/or tables due to lack of clarity. Tables and Figures not referred to in the text, do not include descriptive (and numbered) captions. Tables/figures mostly not constructed by the author (cut-and- paste from other sources). Tables/figures constructed by the team are not identified. 3No Tables/Figures provided. 0Presentation Max marks, 5Outstanding written language that is completely free of spelling and grammatical errors. Consistent referencing style (which is NOT numerical) used throughout. 5Excellent written language that only includes one or two spelling and grammatical errors. Consistent referencing style (which is NOT numerical) used throughout. 4Very good written language, that includes more than two spelling and grammatical errors. Consistent referencing style (which is NOT numerical) mainly used throughout. 3.5Good written language, that includes more than two spelling and grammatical errors that impedes readability in parts. Minor inconsistencies in referencing style (which is NOT numerical). 3Satisfactory written language, however spelling and grammatical consistently impedes readability. Minor inconsistencies in referencing style or a numerical style used. 2.5Unsatisfactory written language. Major inconsistencies in referencing style, and a numerical style used. 1.5Incomprehensi ble written language. Major inconsistencies in referencing style, and a numerical style used. a You can change the names to make shorter headings e.g., Introduction, Soil and Plants, Constraints, Current Research, Conclusions, References.
