The Productions emphasis in the Mechanized Systems Management major is a career path that connects management skills to production operations of food, feed, fuel and fiber. 
This unique combination of selected courses in animal, crop, soil, and physical sciences, as well as mechanized systems management, prepares you to be successful in production agriculture and related careers. This option is for the student interested in the integration of mechanization and natural resources for production agriculture. You will be prepared to apply principles of mechanization and management in farming and ranching, in service and consulting, or preparation for teaching.
Integration of principles of crop and soil science, plant breeding, climatology and integrated pest management in the development and evaluation of crop management practices. Efficient use of solar radiation, water, nutrients, heat, carbon dioxide, and other resources in field crop management.
Farm & Ranch Management
Various economic principles and business management concepts which are involved in the decision-making process when organizing and operating a farming/ranching operation. Includes production economics, record keeping systems, financial budgets and analysis, crop and livestock enterprise analysis, leasing arrangements, depreciation, farm business organizations, farm investment analysis, pasture/rangeland management, and production efficiency indicators.
Marketing of Agricultural Commodities
Operation and use of agricultural commodity markets and institutions as applied to enterprise and firm risk management. Cash; futures and futures option markets; basis; hedging; price discovery; fundamental analysis; and risk management strategies.
Animal Management
Principles of managing animals in typical production systems. Basics of managing beef, dairy, horses, poultry, sheep, and swine through the life cycle for economic and efficient production.
MSYM Electives - Select three courses [9 hours]
Operational characteristics of field, farmstead materials handling, processing and turf maintenance machines and their components. Includes objective comparisons of performance, principles for alignment and adjustment, calibration of metering systems and standards necessary for effective operational management of machines.
Animal Housing Systems
Production facilities for livestock and poultry will be developed with emphasis on building and feedlot layout, ventilation, heating and cooling systems; energy utilization; and construction materials and methods.
Hydraulic Power Systems
Theory and application of fluids under controlled pressure to perform work in mobile and industrial applications. Operation of components and functional planning of circuits with emphasis on troubleshooting and analysis.
Site-specific Crop Management
Principles and concepts of site-specific management. Evaluation of geographic information systems for crop production practices. Practical experience with hardware and software necessary for successful application of information affecting crop management.
Equipment & Tractor Testing
Principles and procedures involved in testing agricultural equipment and tractors. Actual test planned, scheduled, conducted and reported. Test may be based upon procedures used at the Nebraska Tractor Testing Laboratory or involve other equipment being used for research in the department.
Irrigation Systems Management
Irrigation management and the selection, evaluation, and improvement of irrigation systems. Includes soil-water measurement, crop water use, irrigation scheduling, irrigation efficiency, measurement of water flow, irrigation systems, groundwater and wells, pumping systems, applying chemicals with irrigation systems, and environmental and water resource considerations. Two laboratory sections are available; one which emphasizes agricultural applications and one which emphasizes horticultural applications.
Production Agriculture Electives:Select from CASNR courses at 200 level or above [refer to DARS for complete list of courses][8-11 hours]
Rudiments of differential and integral calculus with applications to problems from business, economics, and social sciences.
Internship in Mechanized Systems Management
Practical experience, directed learning, and career exploration and development in a selected business, industry, agency, or educational institution.
Any business or agricultural economics course.
After completing a B.S. in Mechanized Systems Management with an emphasis in Production, students go on to have fulfilling careers in a variety of directions. Many graduates find work managing farms or ranches. Other students will be hired by industrial companies for service and consulting on animal, crop, soil and physical sciences.