Are you interested in effectively managing grain crop production? If so, this course, which focuses on sustainability and efficiency in agronomy practices, is ideal for you.
The Certificate of Agronomy—Grain Crops is an online professional development course designed to help deepen your knowledge of grain crop production.
In this online agronomy course, you will learn about the science of growing cereal crops and the practicalities of post-harvest processing. You will also explore key grain crops such as wheat, barley, oats, maize, sorghum, millet, pulses and emerging crops like pseudo-cereals.
You will develop a strong understanding of crop physiology, cultivation techniques, soil fertility management, and harvesting practices across varied climates and ecological zones. You will also learn about the critical areas of grain processing, storage, and using grains for human consumption and livestock feed.
On completion of this course, you will be prepared to enhance your career in agriculture, focusing on grain cultivation and processing.
Course Structure
Unit - Agronomy - Grain Crops
Unit 1 – Introduction To Grains (Cereals)
- Production of crops in different climates and ecological zones
- Temperate crops
- Temperate crops
- Climate, soil, aspect and altitude
- Crop growing periods and growing degree days
- Cropping season as affected by moisture availability
- Water balance p seasonal evapotranspiration
- World cropping
- Cereal crop growth stages
- Jointing stage
- Booting stage
- Grain fill stage
- Zadock scale
- Grain types
- Wheat, Barley, Sorghum
- Oats, rice, corn, canola and pulses
- Production systems
- Crop rotation
- Cover crops
- Crop islands
Unit 2 – Grain Growing and Processing Infrastructure and Machinery
- Basic infrastructure
- Equipment requirements
- Choosing a tractor and accessories
- Equipment and tools used in different crop production operations
- Tillage
- Effect of soil cover on soil erosion loss
- Seeds
- Certified and saved seed
- Seed production
- Hybrids
- Genetically modified (GMO) seeds
- Planting
- Broadcasting
- Furrow or row planting
- Other crop production operations
- Irrigation equipment
- Crop lodging
- Harvest
- Cereal harvesting equipment
- Threshers/ combined harvester thresher
- Cleaning
- Grain storage
- Silos, silo bags and bunkers
- Insect pest control in grain storage
Unit 3 – Wheat, Spelt, Triticale, Oats, Barley, Rye
- Wheat and Spelt (tritichum.)
- Cultivars, appearance, cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium and zinc
- Crop health
- Crown rot
- Stripe rust
- Leaf rust
- Stem rust
- Yellow leaf spot
- Nematodes
- Tritosecale
- Appearance
- Cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Harvest& uses
- Oats
- Cultivars, appearance, cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Crop health
- Harvest and uses
- Barley
- Cultivars, appearance, cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Aluminium and Boron toxicity
- Crop health
- Rye
- Winter and Spring Rye
- Cultivars
- Appearance
- Cultivation
- Soil and Fertility
- Crop Health
- Harvest and Uses
Unit 4 – Maize, Sorghum and Millet
- Maize
- Cultivars, appearance, cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Crop health
- Boil smut
- Rust
- Stalk and Cob rots
- SORGHUM
- Cultivars, appearance, cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Crop health
- Insects/pests
- Heliothis
- Sorghum midge
- Harvesting and uses
- Millet
- Cultivars, appearance, cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Crop health
- Grey leaf spot
- Charcoal rot
- Pests
- Harvesting and uses
Unit 5 – Rice
- Rice (ORYZA SPP)
- Cultivars
- Commonly cultivated varieties of rice
- Grain type
- Grain type
- Different varieties for eating
- Cultivation
- Environmental overview
- Altitude
- Water
- Irrigating rice
- Rainfed
- Terrace systems
- Crop health and diseases
- Bacterial blight
- Bacterial leaf streak
- Blast, leaf and collar
- Red stripe
- Harvest
- Ratooning
- Rice-wheat systems
Unit 6 – Pulse Crops
- Introduction
- Soybeans
- Crop health
- Pidgeon peas (congo beans)
- Appearance, cultivars, cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Crop health
- Harvest
- Lima beans
- Appearance
- Cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Crop health
- Harvest
- Cowpeas
- Appearance
- Cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Crop health
- Harvest
- Mung Beans
- Cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Crop health
- Harvest
- Chick Peas
- Cultivation
- Soil and fertility
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus (P)
- Potassium
- Sulphur and Lime
- Crop health
- Ascochyta Blight
- Botrytis Grey Mould
- Phytothphera Root Rot
- Insect Pests
Unit 7 – Pseudo Cereals
- Chia
- Quinoa
- Appearance
- Cultivation
- Soil and Fertility
- Crop Health
- Harvest
- Amaranth
- Appearance
- Cultivation
- Soil and Fertility
- Crop Health
- Harvest
- Buckwheat
- Cultivation
- Soil and Fertility
- Crop Health
- Sesame seed
- Appearance
- Cultivation
- Soil and Fertility
- Crop Health
- Harvest
Unit 8 – Processing Grains for Human Consumption
- Introduction
- Post-harvest processing
- Drying
- Morphologically determining moisture content
- Portable moisture meters
- Simple drying test to determine moisture
- Laboratory testing
- Types of drying
- Natural drying
- Heat-drying (hot air drying)
- Storage
- Aerating and cooling
- Moisture content in stored grain
- Treatment during storage
- Grain processing for consumption
- Hulling
- Wheat processing
- Cleaning and scouring
- Tempering
- Grinding /milling of wheat
- Bleaching the flour
- Blending and final production of flour
- Extraction rate
- Processing maize (corn)
- Corn refining
- Processing rice
- Processing oats
- Processing pseudo-grains – quinoa and amaranth
- Fortifying foods
Unit 9 – Grains for Livestock Consumption
- Introduction
- C3 and C4 grasses
- C3 plants
- C4 plants
- Legume forage
- Mixed grass and legume forages
- Nutrient-dense forages and forage quality
- Forage maturity and nutritional value
- Forage quality
- Specific forage, feed and grass types
- Cereal grains
- Barley
- Corn, oats, wheat
- Soybeans
- Lentils and peas
- Feeding and ration calculations
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for:
- Farmers
- Agricultural Professionals
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