What is Agricultural System Management?
Agricultural
System Management is the planning, installation, operation, and
support of physical systems used in modern agricultural production
and associated commodity handling industries. This specialty
prepares students for career success in the delivery, management,
and support of physical systems for food and agriculture. This
program is design for the students whose interest lie directly in
the function of application, operation, and management of the
equipment (power and machinery), natural resources (soil and water
management), or commodity (handling and processing) elements of the
system. 
Structures within
ASM
A structure can range from many
different shapes and sizes. These shapes and sizes can range from
different ideas that change every year for economical reasons. One
might not think that a hog barn or dairy house is in the same aspect
as a skyscraper, but there are many similarities. These similarities
can range in detail from the ventilation system to the structural
design. In either cases, many factors have to be taken into
consideration.
How big is the facility? What is the climate like? How can this structure be designed to fit these questions? In ASM you will have the opportunity to attend classes that focus on these questions. You will have a choice to take a series of architectural classes dealing with the stresses and the strains of a structure. The class ACSM deals with types of loads (live, dead, and snow) for particular buildings in certain areas. Class 241, you will have the opportunity to construct (hands on) wood and masonry walls. With these and other classes offered, this will strengthen an individual’s background for any field within ASM.
Environment within ASM
The environment is another
aspect of the ASM field. The environmental concepts that are
discussed in class have a direct relationship with structures. For
example, if the design of a livestock facility is designed so that
runoff from the area is harmful to the environment, then there is a
problem. The sewer system of a facility is improperly installed and
is not functioning properly. This in turns kills the fish aquatic
life at a nearby lake. These will be issues you will be taught to
deal with. There are several classes that cover the environmental
concepts. In ACSM 370, one learns how to deal with hydrology,
irrigation, and erosion. ACSM 550 learns the effective and proper
waste management and pollution control techniques. Furthermore, ACSM
575 deals with planning and managing soil and water facilities. All
these classes provide a thorough education on the environment that
prepares ASM specialty students for the future.
ASM
is Important to Everyone
The assets of
physical systems used in the production and processing of agricultural
products are estimated to be over $400 billion dollars. The estimated
percentages of total assets by group are:
-
Machinery, equipment and power systems - 25%
-
Service structures and dwellings - 25%
-
Improvements to land such as, drainage, irrigation and water control - 25%
-
Commodity/food processing machinery and facilities - 25%
The value of the
manufactured inputs delivered annually to support production and on-farm
processing is $22 billion. Repair and maintenance costs to maintain
agriculture's capital assets average 7$billion each year. The annual costs
of new agricultural assets exceeds $12 billion (Source: USDA). Thousands
of companies, agencies, and firms perform a wide range of services in
delivering these physically oriented inputs to nearly two million farms
and ranches. Thousands of processing facilities have comprise
the agricultural production and processed a certain system. These
companies, agencies and firm require specialized employees who can respond
changing customer needs.
