Agriculture Extension Services Level 4 - EPA-AESL41125 (AES5)

EBONY PARK HEART ACADEMY

HEART TRUST NTA

          Graded Group Assignment (Theory 1)

 

Group Members: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Group Code:

 

Units: TLMCOM1474A: Collect, analyse and present workplace data and information

            BSBMKP0054B: Design and deliver a presentation

            BSBBAD1174B: Produce management reports to enable effective decision-making

 

Research Description

 

You are a junior Agriculture Extension Officer employed at RADA. Your supervisor has recently received a high poultry mortality rate report from Ebony Park Heart agriculture farm. One of the agricultural farm in clarendon that RADA provides technical assistance to in crop and livestock production.

 

The report reads “over the period of five (5) months a third of the flock of poultry boiler birds have perish in the first two (2) weeks after being place in the boiler bird house. A number of measures have been taken by employees on the farm, such has improved ventilation and the change in feeds but the mortality rate remains high”.

 

“We are seeking technical assistance from the RADA team in collecting, analyzing, presenting data/information on the cause of death of the poultry boiler birds and recommendation of technical measures that can be implemented to reduce mortality rate of the poultry boiler birds”.

 

As junior Agriculture Extension Officers you are being asked to perform a research on the matter being faced. collect, analyze, present data/information on the cause of the poultry boiler birds’ death and provide measures/solutions that can be implemented to mitigate/resolve the matter.

 

Research Outline

1. Identify Required Information (≈10 %)

  • Define the purpose of the investigate this will be your research topic. Example Investigating the Causes and Mitigation Strategies for High Mortality Rates in Poultry Birds….

·       Research questions (only three) should outline the scope of your research and the data/information you would need.

Example

  1. What are the primary biological, environmental, and management-related factors contributing to the high mortality rate of poultry birds?
  2. How do current farm practices—such as housing conditions, feeding, and vaccination—affect the health and survival rates of poultry birds?
  3. What cost-effective strategies can be implemented on the farm to reduce mortality and improve flock health and productivity?

(page1)

  • List information needed for your research (lab reports, cleaning schedule, feed schedule/system, veterinarian logs, past yield logs, weather records, feed suppliers)
  • Map the sources of the information needed (farm records, interviews employees, scholarly journals).

(page2)

2. Collect & Validate Data (≈25 %)

  • Gather primary (farm‑generated, farm records) and secondary (external theoretical sources)
  • Apply triangulation (cross‑check against another source for primary data)
  • Data collection tools (questionnaires, interview questions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example of questionnaires

Poultry Mortality Research Questionnaire

----------- Farmers
All responses will be kept confidential and used for research purposes only.

Instructions: Please complete the questionnaire by place a tick in the box.

Section A: Farm Profile

  1. Parish/Location: __________________________
  2. Type of poultry raised:
    • Broilers
    • Layers
    • Both
  3. Average flock size per cycle:
    • Less than 500 birds
    • 500–1,000 birds
    • Over 1,000 birds

Section B: Mortality Information

  1. What is your average mortality rate per cycle?
    • Less than 5%
    • 5%–10%
    • 11%–15%
    • More than 15%
  2. During which stage do most bird deaths occur?
    • Week 1 (chicks)
    • Week 2–4
    • Week 5–6
    • Week 7+8

Section C: Farm Practices

  1. How often do you clean/disinfect poultry housing?
    • Daily
    • Weekly
    • Monthly
    • Rarely
  2. Do you follow a vaccination schedule for your birds?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Sometime

Section D: Mitigation and Support

11.   What actions do you take when mortality increases? (Check all that apply)

  • Call a vet
  • Change feed
  • Improve housing/ventilation
  • Cull affected birds
  • Seek advice from other farmers
  • Do nothing

12.   What support would help you reduce mortality? (Select up to 3)

  • Affordable vet services
  • Training in poultry care
  • Better access to quality feed
  • Vaccination programs
  • Government subsidies
  • Mortality tracking tools

Thank you for your participation!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Example of interview Questions

All responses will be kept confidential and used for research purposes only.

Open-Ended

A. Background and Farm Operation

  1. Can you describe your poultry operation? (e.g., size, type of birds, how long you've been farming)
  2. What are your daily responsibilities in managing the birds?
  3. Over the years, have you noticed any changes in your birds’ health or survival rates

B. Mortality Patterns and Causes

  1. What is your average mortality rate per flock cycle? Has it increased or decreased recently?
  2. What are the most common reasons birds die on your farm?
  3. Can you describe a recent instance of high bird mortality and what you think caused it?

C. Disease and Health Management

  1. What steps do you take to prevent or control diseases in your flock?
  2. Are your birds vaccinated regularly? Why or why not?
  3. How do you handle sick birds or disease outbreaks?

D. Environmental and Management Factors

  1. How would you describe the ventilation and temperature control in your poultry housing?
  2. Do you think overcrowding contributes to bird deaths on your farm?
  3. How often do you clean the poultry pens, and what methods do you use?

E. Feed and Nutrition

  1. Where do you get your poultry feed, and how confident are you in its quality?
  2. Have you ever experienced feed-related health problems in your birds?

G. Solutions and Suggestions

  1. What have you found to be the most effective strategies for reducing bird mortality on your farm?

 

Place data collected and data collection tools in appendix1.

 

 

 

 

3. Analyse & Prepare Information (≈30 %)

  • Collate data in a spreadsheet (Microsoft excel) or statistical tool from questionnaire.
  • Use at least one visual (chart, map, or dashboard).
  • Ensure accuracy (spot‑check calculations, peer review).
  • Analyze farm records in relation to the farm issue.

Example

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


At least two pages

 

4. Explain Findings (≈15 %)

  • Draft a concise narrative (interview questions)
    • Outline the data collection method used and the data collected
    • Share implications of the issue with theoretical support.

5.     Make Recommendation to mitigate the issue (≈20%)

 

·       Outline feasible solutions given with theoretical support and outline the implementation

·       Outline external support that can be used to mitigate the issue and outline the implementation