Key facts

UNE unit code: ECON223

*You are viewing the 2024 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start
  • Trimester 1 - On Campus
  • Trimester 1 - Online
Campus
  • Armidale Campus
24/7 online support
  • Yes
Intensive schools
  • No
Supervised exam
  • Yes
Credit points
  • 6

Unit information

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Managing farms and other natural resource-based businesses is especially complex because of the strong impact that international commodity markets and uncertain weather events have on profitability.  

Studying this unit, you will gain practical farm management skills and hands-on experience solving real-world problems in farm businesses. 

You will explore basic management functions such as planning, implementing and monitoring business performance. 

The techniques you will learn will allow you to assess the current state of the business and evaluate potential improvements to enhance profitability and sustainability while accounting for the limited resources available to the operation. 

Offerings

For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.

Teaching period
Mode/location
Trimester 1On Campus, Armidale Campus
Trimester 1Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

There are no intensive schools required for this unit.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites
24cp or candidature in a postgraduate award
Restrictions
ARE210 or BM203

Notes

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

profile photo of Stuart Mounter
Stuart MounterAssociate Professor - UNE Business School

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. identify and evaluate the financial and economic performance of a farm business by producing a set of benchmark budgets;
  2. demonstrate an understanding of economic and resource consequences of changes to the farm operation;
  3. analyse information and undertake basic risk analysis in the context of agricultural production;
  4. identify appropriate strategies for whole-farm analysis by integrating management objectives, resource constraints and optimisation techniques (linear programming); and
  5. design and implement spreadsheets as analytical tools for farm and resource management.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

TitleMust CompleteWeightOfferingsAssessment Notes
Assignment 1Yes15%All offerings

Problem Solving and Short Answer Questions

No. Words: 1200

Assignment 2Yes15%All offerings

Problem Solving and Short Answer Questions

No. Words: 1200

Assignment 3Yes20%All offerings

Problem Solving and Short Answer Questions

No. Words: 1600

Final ExaminationYes50%All offerings

Students must obtain at least 50% in the examination (and at least 50% overall) to receive a pass (or better) in the unit.

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Recommended material is held in the University Library — purchase is optional.

The Farming Game

ISBN: 9780521537551

Malcolm, B., Makeham, J.P. and Wright, V., CUP 2nd ed. 2005

Text refers to: All offerings

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