Overview of Agriculture

Question 0

What is a subsystem?

Answer 0

A subsystem is a small unit of a larger arrangement of things.

Eg. A pasture production subsystem, a stud cattle production subsystem, a labour production subsystem

Question 1

What is an agricultural system?

Answer 1

A system is a group of objects which interact in order to achieve some purpose.

Eg. A farm is a system.

The systems approach is one that can be used in problem solving situations and concentrates on the ways in which various parts work together to form a whole.

Question 2

What are inputs in a subsystem?

Answer 2

Inputs are materials added to a subsystem in order to operate. 
Eg. 
- drench chemical 
- fertiliser
- feed (hay)
- pesticides
- seeds
- fuel
- electricity
- oil
- water
- bedding
- limestone

Question 3

What is an output in a subsystem?

Answer 3

Outputs are items produced in a subsystem and are sent off.

Eg.

• eggs
• peaches
• vegetables
• stud animals

Question 4

What is a boundary in a subsystem?

Answer 4

A boundary is the extent of an area which affects a subsystem.

Eg. Honey production subsystem has a boundary - as far as the bees are willing to fly for food if needed

Question 5

What is an interaction in a subsystem?

Answer 5

Interaction is how one subsystem affects another.

Eg. Pasture subsystem and cattle production subsystem:
Pasture —provides nutrition—> cattle
<—provides nutrients–

Question 6

What is feedback in a subsystem?

Answer 6

Feedback is information about the output.

Eg. Feedback in the broiler subsystem: underweight poultry tells us something is wrong.

Question 7

What is monitoring in a subsystem?

Answer 7

Monitoring is a method of checking upon a subsystem from time to time.

Eg.

• weigh cattle/sheep
• count
• measure height

Question 8

What is an enterprise in a subsystem?

Answer 8

An enterprise is a subsystem that is operated to produce an output that can be sold.

Eg. peaches, oranges, broilers, layers, vegetables, prime lamb, honey production enterprise