Regulations for The Foundation Certificate in Agriculture - FoundCertAg

Official rules and regulations for the Foundation Certificate 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.

Part II

Admission

1. Admission to the Foundation Certificate in Agriculture requires that the candidate will have successfully completed, to the satisfaction of Academic Board:

(a) 12 weeks of farm employment; or

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

and will have

(c) been selected into the programme on the basis of interview, if required by the Academic Board or their delegate

Qualification requirements

2. Candidates for the Foundation Certificate in Agriculture shall follow a fixed programme of study, which shall consist of courses totalling at least 60 credits, comprising:

(a) the courses listed in the Schedule for the Qualification;

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

Specialisations

3. The Foundation Certificate in Agriculture is awarded without specialisations.

Completion requirements

4. A candidate’s programme of study may not exceed two years from date of first enrolment in the Foundation Certificate in Agriculture.

5. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes.

Unsatisfactory academic progress

6. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.

Schedule for the Foundation Certificate 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.
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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