FACTS Northern Ireland - Basis

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The examination is comprised of 3 elements: FACTS EXAMINATION STRUCTURE Written – 60 multi-choice questions (no books / notes allowed) Completion of a scenario question - incorporating a nutrient planning exercise – open book exam (text books and notes allowed) Viva – involving the chairman and two people from the fertiliser industry. Elements of both the multi-choice and scenario papers may be included in the viva discussions. EXAMINATION TIMING 08.15 am Coffee / meet Independent BASIS appointed Chairman 08.30 - 08.45 am Examination begins and consists of: 60 multi-choice questions 75 mins 10.00 am Short break 10 mins 10.10 am 1 scenario question (open book) 45 mins 11.00 am Viva Examinations 15-20 mins per person If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the FACTS office, c/o BASIS® (Registration) Ltd, St Monica’s House Business Centre, (37-39) Windmill Lane, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1EY Tel: 01335 340857 / 340854 (Fax: 01335 346488) e-mail training.courses@basis-reg.co.uk web site: www.basisreg.com 12
Pre-FACTS Training Before taking a FACTS training course, some background reading will be extremely helpful for the more experienced advisers and essential for those with little on-farm experience. It is highly unlikely that a four or five day course alone will raise knowledge to the level needed for success in the exam. The preparatory reading material outlined below will cover the main issues in every module of the syllabus. The documents should be used as required to improve knowledge before formal FACTS training. A key document is the Defra Fertiliser Manual/RB209 that can be downloaded from the Defra web site www.defra.gov.uk. Although developed for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, this document covers the principles of crop nutrition and some sections will be helpful in Scotland. Additional information for Scotland is in Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity (PEPFAA) that can be downloaded from www.scotland.gov.uk and in Technical Notes that can be downloaded from www.sac.co.uk. Most of these are available without charge. Module 1. The soil in relation to plant nutrients 1. Fertiliser Manual (RB209) Section 1 2. A Guide to Better Soil Structure (from National Soil Research Institute, Cranfield at www.soil-net.com/legacy/downloads/resources/structure_brochure.pdf) 3. thinksoils from Environment Agency (£8.50 from EA web site www.environment-agency.gov.uk, enter ‘thinksoils’ in search box) Module 2. Organic nutrient sources 1. Fertiliser Manual (RB209) Section 2 or, in Scotland, Prevention of Environmental Pollution from Agricultural Activity (PEPFAA) Section 4 (from www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/03/20613/51366) 2. Managing Livestock Manures (series of four booklets by ADAS/IGER/SRI, from www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/landmanage/land-soil/fertilisers.htm#2) Module 3. The nature and properties of fertilizers 1. Mineral Fertiliser Manufacture (from the AIC web site www.agindustries.org.uk, in the Fertiliser section, select Publications for farmers and advisers) Module 4. Crop nutrients in plants and the factors influencing nutrient management planning 1. Fertilizer Manual (RB 209) Section 1 or, in Scotland, SAC Technical Notes 2. Managing Livestock Manures, a series of four booklets by ADAS/IGER/SRI, (from www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/landmanage/land-soil/fertilisers.htm#2) 3. Understanding Nitrogen and its Use in Agriculture, Understanding Phosphorus and its Use in Agriculture and Understanding Potassium and its Role in Agriculture, a series of three booklets (from www.efma.org) Module 5. Use of fertilisers on the main crop groups in the UK 1. Fertilizer Manual (RB209) Sections 3, 4 and 7 or, for Scotland, relevant SAC Technical Notes Module 6. The transport, handling and storage of fertilisers Farm Storage and Transport Requirements for AN-based Fertilisers (from the AIC web site www.agindustries.org.uk, in the Fertiliser section, select Publications, Health and Safety) 1. Security of fertilisers on farms. Northern Ireland version of the ‘Ten Point Plan’ available at www.secureyourfertiliser.gov.uk/documents/fertliser leaflet NI.pdf 13
Page 1 and 2: CONTENTS Page General Information I
Page 3 and 4: FACTS SYLLABUS & INFORMATION Introd
Page 5 and 6: FACTS SCHEME - OBJECTIVES The overa
Page 7 and 8: FACTS TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINITIONS R
Page 9 and 10: THE BASIS® DILPOMA IN AGRONOMY Bot
Page 11: The form should be presented to the
Page 15 and 16: THE NATIONAL SYLLABUS The overall a
Page 17 and 18: Aim MODULE 2 - ORGANIC NUTRIENT SOU
Page 19 and 20: Aim MODULE 3 - NATURE AND PROPERTIE
Page 21 and 22: • demonstrate an awareness of mar
Page 23 and 24: Aim MODULE 6 - THE TRANSPORT, STORA
Page 25 and 26: Aim MODULE 8 - CODE OF GOOD AGRICUL
Page 27 and 28: SAMPLE FERTILISER SCENARIO The foll
Page 29 and 30: REFERENCE MATERIALS The following l
Page 31 and 32: BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE FROM: Landsmans
Page 33 and 34: The FACTS qualification (by examina
Page 35 and 36: CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE IN FERTIL
Page 37 and 38: The following Colleges, Trainers an

FACTS Northern Ireland - Basis

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