Course Units

Trimester 1

FPM521 - Introduction to Agricultural Production Systems

Introduction to the key fundamentals of whole farm production systems. You will learn to systematically identify and rate key resources, understand the fundamentals affecting agricultural enterprises; introduction to livestock physiology & nutrition; principles of agricultural engineering; and, pasture-based systems.

Agriculture fundamentals
Farm profile and resource analysis
Livestock physiology and nutrition
Principles of agricultural engineering
Pasture production systems

AAF521 - Farm Accounting

This unit develops your knowledge to effectively collect and record financial data for farm businesses. You will understand accounting principles as they apply to farming, and producing fundamental reports, such as income statements and statements of financial position

Cash accounting
Cash control
GST
Introduction to financial statements
Agricultural accounting

EMS521 - Basics of Business Systems

This is a multi-discipline unit which is broken up in topics to cover the many areas which support farm management. You will understand the environments in which farm businesses operate and the fundamental business tools that provide the basis for business management.

Principles of supply and demand
Principles of marketing
Introduction to business software
Principles of business spreadsheets
Writing for business

IMS521 - Integrated Studies

Wellbeing strategies are critical to the successful operation of a sustainable farm enterprise. You will be introduced to the concept of systems thinking and be exposed to real-world examples of how a business decision in one area affects other aspects of the operation. This unit includes a 5-day domestic study tour.

Health & resilience
Farm planning simulation (The Farm Game)
Professional writing & reporting for business
Domestic study tour

Trimester 2

FPM522 - Development of Agricultural Production Systems

You will gain an understanding and be able to apply the basic principles of animal production relating to ruminant nutrition, reproductive physiology and management. You will understand soil structure and fertility in the context of crop production and pastures. You will develop an understanding of the efficacy and efficiency of energy use systems in farm operations.

Livestock reproduction and technology
Soils and fertilisers
Crop production
Pasture production and management
Agricultural power units and pumps

AAF522 - Developing Financial Proposals

During this unit you will use your understanding of production systems to build a budget that reflects the proposed production activity. You will develop an understanding of the key drivers of profitability and how they affect the preparation of a budget. You will use your production knowledge and budgeting to prepare a bank finance proposal

Gross margin analysis
Livestock schedules
Cash flow budgeting
Sensitivity analysis
Finance proposals

EMS522 - Developing Business Management Systems

Building on previous units, this unit will give you a wider understanding of the environment that a business operates within, exploring issues of competitor behaviour, environmental scanning, market value chain for food and fibre industries, and understanding behaviour of people managing in these environments.

External analysis
Marketing and the value chain
Conflict negotiation
Time and stress management
Negotiation skills

IMS522 - Farm Business Performance

You will expand your concepts of systems thinking utilising knowledge gained from all units you have studied. You will synthesise the knowledge obtained from your studies with the experience gained from visiting a range of farm enterprises to develop a comprehensive understanding of the performance of a property, chosen for the case study. This unit includes an extended international study tour.

International study tour
Enterprise profitability case study
Intercultural communication
Comparative farming systems

Trimester 3

FPM623 - Management of Agricultural Production Systems

This unit introduces decision processes in managing farm production systems, including issues of weeds, pest and diseases; feed budgeting, fodder conservation, livestock genetics & breeding. You will be able to apply the decision matrix for introducing technology, electronics and mechanisation in farm operations.

Weeds, pests and diseases
Feed budgeting
Fodder conservation
Genetics and breeding
Electronics and mechanisation

AAF623 - Enterprise performance Analysis

You will develop skills to use both financial and non-financial data to analyse business performance. You will determine the value of information held and the means to discover what additional information is necessary to assess performance of a farm business enterprise

Farm accounting & budgeting software
Farm business analysis
Production economics
Financial ratio analysis

EMS623 - Management Fundamentals in Agricultural Business

This unit focusses on developing your knowledge of industries and operational issues that are specific to agricultural businesses. You will learn to use tools that are enablers of farm business management decisions.

Micro economics
Occupation Health and Safety
Managing work teams
Business communications
Advanced spreadsheets

IMS623 - Farm Performance in Action

This unit is delivered over an extended period. You will be able to apply theories and practices learnt in the classroom to farm businesses. This unit includes an 11-month practical placement at an approved farm business, where you can apply and reflect your insight in your assessments. You will develop your analysis and budgeting skills on a selected property.

Budget and projections case study
Practical placement case study I: analysis of the farm business
Practical placement case study II: recommending change to enhance profitability of the farm business
Approved 11-month practical placement (full time employment)

Trimester 1

FPM624 - Advanced Agricultural Production Systems

Your knowledge of a range of farming systems will be further developed to enhance your decision-making capabilities. You will explore production factors affecting management in a range of intensive and extensive enterprises, including the use of emerging technologies to capture and analyse production performance.

Winter and summer cropping
Meat science, production and processing
Intensive animal systems
Irrigation systems and methods
Precision agriculture technologies

AAF624 - Capital Management and the Farm Investment Decision

Using the knowledge gained in profit analysis and cash flow you will develop knowledge and tools to make investment decisions to increase value. You will evaluate investment risk and return issues and their relationship with equity.

Farm financial management
Discounted cash flows
Long term decision making
Capital management and structures
Portfolio management

EMS624 - Strategy and Farm Business Systems

Utilising the concept of competitive advantage, you will advance your understanding of behaviours of consumers and competitors, develop research skills to help source, analyse and interpret relevant data. You will gain an understanding of price risk management models and derivative tools.

Strategic thinking for competitive advantage
Research methods
Statistical analysis
Commodity marketing
Options, futures and forwards

IMS624 - Enterprise Management and Business Performance

This unit is designed to reinforce the learning gained in your practical placement by exposing you to further examples of businesses that are managing complex and interconnected enterprises. You will explore different performance measures and factors limiting potential production and the issues that surround them. This unit includes a 5-day domestic study tour.

Domestic study tour
Applied livestock and grazing management
Reflection of work integrated learning experience
Assessment of genetic gain and performance

Trimester 2

FPM725 - Farm Production Decision Systems

This unit requires you to understand the decision process as you develop more advanced knowledge of farming systems. You will begin to build complex decision structures around the knowledge and experience that you have gained, seeking more relevant knowledge as you enhance your decision-making skills.

Advanced winter cropping
Wool production and processing
Animal health and management
Soil resources and water management

AAF725 - Ownership and the Farm Business

The ownership of a farm business has an impact on how the business is structured and how capital in contributed. You will understand ownership structures, their impact on taxation and how the owner will take a dividend.

Taxation
Succession planning
Business structures
Off-farm investments

EMS725 - International Marketing and Applied Economics

Advance your knowledge of applied economic principles as they apply to commodity price and the influence of domestic and international markets. You will develop an understanding of factors and influences on international trade and how that relates to the farm business.

International marketing
International policy and trade
Applied economics
Global economic systems

IMS725 - Applied Farm Management

During this unit you will have access to a particular farm where you will explore the management decisions over the course of a production cycle. This will give you opportunities to apply the principles learnt and make recommendations for tactical change. You will integrate your learning through case study to develop a long term sustainable strategy.

Site visits to a selected farm
Workshop ideas and present decisions for change
Case study – development of strategy

Trimester 3

FPM726 - Advanced Production Systems

Your understanding of managing resources in a farm business requires that you extend your knowledge of production systems to emerging opportunities of capital investment in farming enterprises. You will also explore contemporary issues affecting agricultural systems.

Intensive cropping
Animal welfare and behaviour
Ruminant nutrition
Farm structures and machinery decisions

AAF726 - The Farm Business Decision Environment

This unit will examine how farm businesses operate in an environment subject to government regulation, law, consumer expectations, and risk. You will learn to adapt your decision-making processes to this complex, challenging and uncertain environment.

Risk management
Advanced decision making
Farm business law
Stochastic modelling

EMS726 - Strategy and People

The single greatest influence on both developing a strategy and implementing a strategy are the people that you work with. You will synthesise the theories and practices of people management for the implementation of successful business strategy.

Human Resource Management
Personnel strategy and workforce planning
Industrial relations
Leadership and change management
Employment law

IMS726 - Integrated Management

This capstone unit is designed to bring all aspects of your experience and learning together. Within this unit you will follow Australian produced commodities as they are exported to international markets, exploring the issues of competitor, consumer and environment. Your final case study will design a growth and development strategy for a corporate agricultural business which meets the owner’s investment criteria. This unit includes an extended international study tour.

International study tour
Growth strategy case study
Intercultural awareness

Course Units – Agriculture

Bachelor of Business (Agriculture)

YEAR 1

Trimester 1

FPM521 - Introduction to Agricultural Production Systems

AAF521 - Farm Accounting

EMS521 - Basics of Business Systems

IMS521 - Integrated Studies

Trimester 2

FPM522 - Development of Agricultural Production Systems

AAF522 - Developing Financial Proposals

EMS522 - Developing Business Management Systems

IMS522 - Farm Business Performance

Trimester 3

FPM623 - Management of Agricultural Production Systems

AAF623 - Enterprise performance Analysis

EMS623 - Management Fundamentals in Agricultural Business

IMS623 - Farm Performance in Action

YEAR 2

Compulsory 11-month practical placement

YEAR 3

Trimester 1

FPM624 - Advanced Agricultural Production Systems

AAF624 - Capital Management and the Farm Investment Decision

EMS624 - Strategy and Farm Business Systems

IMS624 - Enterprise Management and Business Performance

Trimester 2

FPM725 - Farm Production Decision Systems

AAF725 - Ownership and the Farm Business

EMS725 - International Marketing and Applied Economics

IMS725 - Applied Farm Management

Trimester 3

FPM726 - Advanced Production Systems

AAF726 - The Farm Business Decision Environment

EMS726 - Strategy and People

IMS726 - Integrated Management