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AERD40140

Academic Year 2024/2025

Analysis of Prices and Markets in Global Agri-Business (AERD40140)

Subject:
Agribus Extension & Rural Dev
College:
Health & Agricultural Sciences
School:
Agriculture & Food Science
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr James Breen
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This is a level 4 module that aims to enhance students understanding of agricultural prices and markets, with particular emphasis on the current factors affecting market volatility. The module includes: (1) Overview of main Irish agricultural inputs and outputs and their markets. (2) Review of trends and recent developments in agricultural prices (3) The role of supply and demand in price formulation and the impact of supply and demand shocks on agricultural prices (4) Enhancing students understanding of the inter-linkages between different agricultural markets both domestic and international (5) Mechanisms to offset price volatility.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

This module aims to enhance students understanding of agricultural input and output markets focussing on the drivers of demand and supply for agricultural inputs and outputs, particularly in the context of the highly volatile markets for agricultural commodities that currently prevail. Upon completion of the module students should understand how agricultural prices have evolved, how supply and demand shocks impact on agricultural prices and how farmers respond to these shocks. Students should have gained an understanding of the mechanisms available to farmers to offset price volatility.

Indicative Module Content:

Analysis of factors that impact on supply and demand for agricultural commodities.
The factors that determine the price o agricultural commodities.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

28
Computer Aided Lab

8
Autonomous Student Learning

70
Total

106

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module uses a range of approaches to support teaching and learning. These include lectures, in-class discussion and computer lab sessions. Students will develop their analytical skills, computer skills and report writing skills.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
AERD30200 - Statistics and Econometrics


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (In-person): Two hour Final Exam at the end of the trimester Week 14 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Students will prepare a report discussing one agricultural commodity in terms of past trends in production, yield, price, exports etc. Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
25
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Students will produce projections for future production and price of their chosen crop and write a report on their projections. Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
30
 No
Quizzes/Short Exercises: Students will complete an in-class quiz. Week 6 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 1 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will be provided with the results of the quiz within one week of completing the quiz. Students will be provided with individual written feedback on both of their assignments within one week of the assignment being submitted.

Westhoff, P. 2009 The Economics of Food: How Feeding and Fueling the Planet Affects Food Prices. Pearson Education, FT Press. New Jersey 07458
Ferris, John. 2005. Agricultural prices and commodity market analysis. Michigan State Univ. Press.
Goodwin, John W. 1994. Agricultural price analysis and forecasting. New York: John Wiley.
Tomek, W.G., and K.L. Robinson. Agricultural Product Prices, 4th Ed., Cornell
University Press, Ithaca, NY 2003.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 16:00 - 16:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 11 Wed 13:00 - 13:50
Autumn Computer Aided Lab Offering 1 Week(s) - 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
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