Mixed Farming

Your first set of course materials will be sent to you when you enrol. You can start as soon as you want and progress through the course at your own pace, studying when and where you choose.

This flexibility makes it easy to fit learning around work and family commitments.

The extensive course materials have been developed by farming experts and are clear and straightforward, so your studying is easy and enjoyable. As you complete each lesson, your tutor will promptly return your marked assignment with constructive feedback and guidance. (You can also contact your tutor or the support team for help at any point during your studies.)

The course includes all the required study materials.

There is no formal examination. On successful completion you will be awarded an HCC Certificate. You have 2 years to complete the course.

We are proud of our friendly, caring ethos and aim to do all we can to help you succeed.

Our tutors are all experienced, highly qualified and passionate about sharing their love of their subject. You can phone or email your tutor throughout the course – to ask questions, for advice, encouragement or to draw on their wealth of knowledge.

You can also contact the support team who are here to help you Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

All learners are eligible for an NUS Extra card.

Lesson 1 Introduction/Principles of Cropping – Capital

• Types of farming
• Maintenance of fertility
• Farm planning
• Soil characteristics
• Cultivation
• Drainage & irrigation
• Crops and plant growth
• Botany

Lesson 2 – Principles of livestock management

• Anatomy
• The systems of the animal body – the circulatory system, respiratory system, excretory system, nervous system, etc.
• Breeding livestock – signs of health, disease, immunity, the feeding of livestock

Lesson 3 – Principles of cropping

• Organic manures
• Compost
• Crop residues
• Use of manures and fertilisers
• Crop protection
• Diseases of crops
• Weeds and herbicides
• Insect pests of crops
• Variety and the choice of seed

Lesson 4 – Grassland and forage crops

• Grasses and clovers
• Special mixtures
• Seed rates
• Establishing leys
• Grassland output
• Stocking rates
• Making use of grass
• Grazing systems
• Silage
• Harvesting forage crops
• Hay-making
• Improvement of poor grassland
• Root crops
• Various crops

Lesson 5 – Management of cattle

• Dairy breeds
• Dual purpose breeds
• Breeds of beef cattle
• Foreign or `continental’ breeds of beef cattle
• Rearing of cattle
• Calf stage
• Calf disorders
• Formulation of rations for growing cattle
• Diseases of cattle

Lesson 6 – Dairy cattle

• Milk production
• Cattle breeding
• Selection of dairy cattle
• Fundamental principles of managing dairy cows
• Feeding the dairy cow
• The art of milking – the milking machine, milk and dairies regulations, sale of milk, quotas

Lesson 7 – Arable crops

• Cereals – wheat, barley, oats, rye
• Diseases of cereals and cereal pests
• Continuous cereal growing
• Use of disposal of straw
• Potatoes
• Other arable crops – beans, peas, etc
• Herbage seed production
• Economics of growing crops
• Labour and machinery costs

Lesson 8 – The management of sheep

• The carcass
• Wool quality
• Sheep names and terms
• Breeds
• The system of stratification
• Management of a breeding flock
• Early fat lamb production
• Artificial rearing of lambs
• Management of grazing sheep
• Common sheep diseases

Lesson 9 – Management of beef

• Meat in supply and demand
• The beef carcass
• Sources of and trade in beef cattle
• Breeding cattle – beef breeds
• Beef production systems
• Features to be considered in choosing a system
• Suckled calf production
• Finishing of suckled calves and stores
• Grass cereal beef
• Intensive cereal beef
• Bull beef
• Maize silage beef

Lesson 10 – Types of pig required

• Marketing pigs
• Breeds and breeding
• The MLC improvement scheme
• Selection of breeding stock
• Weaner production
• Feeding growing pigs
• Pig rations
• Practical pigmanship
• Outdoor pigs
• Taking up pig farming

If needed you have 2 years to complete the course. Many students are able to complete this course in approximately 6-12 months*.

*Timescales are approximate and depend upon application and motivation.

There are no exams. On successful completion of this course you will receive an HCC Certificate*, graded to show the standard you have reached. The HCC’s reputation means this can be highly regarded on a CV and, combined with your portfolio of coursework, is evidence of your achievements (whether you are applying for a job or a more advanced study course).

* The HCC Certificate will be issued once you have successfully completed your course and finished your course payments.

• Once you have successfully completed this course you could work on a farm, either self-employed or working for a farmer. You may be suitable for roles such as a general farm worker, herdsperson, shepherd or trainee assistant farm manager.
• You could progress to the following HCC courses:

  Organic Arable Farming
  Organic Livestock Farming
  Tropical Agriculture
  Sheep Farming
  Crop Tech
  Market Gardening

You do not need previous farming knowledge or experience to enrol on this course

There are 2 ways you can enrol

• Pay the total course fee of £295 in one sum and also receive a special gift from our selection – free
• or
• Pay a deposit of just £95, followed by 4 instalments of £50