Regulations for The Diploma in Agriculture - DipAg

Official rules and regulations for the Diploma in Agriculture. These regulations are for the 2025 intake to this qualification.

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Qualification Regulations

Part I

These regulations are to be read in conjunction with all other Statutes and Regulations of the University including General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas, and Graduate Certificates.

Part II

Admission

1. Admission to the Diploma in Agriculture requires that the candidate will have met the University admission requirements  as specified and will have successfully completed, to the satisfaction of Academic Board,

(a) 12 weeks farm employment; or

(b) a level 3 NZQF Certificate that is agriculture related.

Qualification requirements

2. Candidates for the Diploma in Agriculture shall follow a parts-based programme of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 120 credits, comprising:

(a) Parts One and Two as specified in the Schedule for the Diploma in Agriculture;

and including

(b) attending field trips, studios, workshops, tutorials, and laboratories as required.

Specialisations

3. The Diploma in Agriculture is awarded without specialisations.

Student progression

4. Candidates are required to complete all courses from Part One before proceeding to Part Two.

5. Students who are admitted to the qualification on the basis of successful completion of the Foundation Certificate in Agriculture will be considered to have completed the requirements of Part One.

6. The Academic Board, in restricted circumstances and on the advice of the examiners, may award a combined results pass. Course 119.101 Farm Production Systems must be passed with a minimum C grade.

Completion requirements

7. A candidate's programme of study may not exceed four years from the date of first enrolment in the Diploma in Agriculture.

8. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification, and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes; candidates who do not meet the requirements for graduation may, subject to the approval of Academic Board, be awarded the Foundation Certificate in Agriculture should they meet the relevant Qualification requirements.

Unsatisfactory academic progress

9. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.

Schedule for the Diploma in Agriculture

Course planning key

Prerequisites
Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
Corequisites
Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
Restrictions
Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Key terms for course planning
Courses
Each qualification has its own specific set of courses. Some universities call these papers. You enrol in courses after you get accepted into Massey.
Course code
Each course is numbered using 6 digits. The fourth number shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Specialisations
Some qualifications let you choose what subject you'd like to specialise in. Your major or endorsement is what you will take the majority of your courses in.

Part One

Course code: 117006 Animal Production and Health 15 credits

An overview of the sheep, dairy and beef cattle industries in New Zealand, and an introduction to the deer and intensive livestock industries. Topics covered include: principles of reproduction, genetics, nutrition, welfare and health of farmed livestock.

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Course code: 119106 Farm and Industry Study 15 credits

An introductory study of farm inputs and products such as meat, milk and wool, and the application of farm practical experience, technical data, and industry procedures and practices, to contemporary issues facing farmers. Focused both within and beyond the farm gate, this course involves individual and group learning and expression.

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Course code: 189006 Soil Productivity 15 credits

A study of the soil as a resource in farming systems. Modification of soil conditions by various agricultural practices such as fertiliser use, liming, drainage and irrigation. Maintenance of the soil through conservation practices and use of soil and land resource information.

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Course code: 283006 Pasture and Crop Production 15 credits

An introduction to the importance of pastoral farming to New Zealand agriculture and the role of legumes in pastures. The identification, selection, and establishment of pasture species and crops, including weed control. The seasonality of pasture growth and matching pasture growth with animal requirements, through monitoring of grazing systems, supplementary feeding, and crop management.

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Part Two

Course code: 117106 Animal Production 15 credits

Development of production outputs of farmed animals and meat production. Students study beef cattle production, sheep production and dairy production. Topics covered in beef and sheep production include nutrition, reproduction, genetic improvement, wool and the wool industry. Topics covered in dairy production include nutrition, reproduction, genetic improvement, principles of milk production, milk harvesting and quality.

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Course code: 119101 Farm Production Systems 15 credits

A detailed analysis of whole-farm systems involving a number of field visits. An analytical approach to problem-solving is developed. Field visits to case farms. This course must be passed to qualify for the award of the Diploma in Agriculture

Corequisites: 117106, 119116, 138106

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Course code: 119116 Farm Management 15 credits

An introduction to farm management principles and the application of techniques for planning, implementation, and control of, agricultural systems. A study of New Zealand farms as social, economic and business units. Decision-making about land, labour, and capital, in the context of farming uncertainty. Visits to farms provide case-studies for aspects of farm management

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Course code: 138106 Agricultural Engineering 15 credits

A study of basic engineering principles as they apply to design and operation of agricultural buildings and structures, farm water, refrigeration and heating, fencing and subdivision, waste management; the utilisation of modern technologies in agriculture; and the Resource Management Act and how that affects agricultural businesses.

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