Farm Management
- Agricultural Sciences
- 700 level
- 2 credit units
- 236 pages
- 16 units
This course introduces fundamental principles and applications of farm management. During this course, students will learn about the meaning and scope of management, how to gather relevant information for making decisions on the farm, and how to use tools of analysis in the decision-making process. It also covers implications of risk and uncertainty on making decisions and precautions that farmers take against them. The course aims to provide an understanding of farm management principles, tools, and techniques to assist in decision-making.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 208 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study
- Practical work
- Yes
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assignments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of AEM753, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
AEM753 · UNIT 1: Meaning and Scope of Farm Management
Management is a decision-making process which coordinates the factors of production to produce desired output. The functions of management includes planning, organizing, directing and controlling. These are explained in detail below.
What you should be able to do
- Explain farm management principles.
- Apply decision-making techniques.
- Gather and analyze data for farm management.
- Determine asset valuation and depreciation.
- Manage risk and uncertainty in farming.
- Analyze financial statements for farm businesses.
- Evaluate resource use efficiency.
- Develop farm budgets.
What it prepares you for
- Farm Manager
- Agricultural Extension Officer
- Agricultural Consultant
- Agricultural Planner
- Agricultural Loan Officer
- Agricultural Production
- Agricultural Finance
- Agricultural Consulting
- Government Agricultural Agencies
- Agribusiness Management
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1:
Unit 3: Data Gathering for Decision Making
This unit requires understanding of complex data collection methods and their impact on decision-making, which can be challenging for students without prior experience in data analysis.
- Module 1:
Unit 4: Valuation and Depreciation of Assets
Advanced calculus integration techniques require strong mathematical foundation and can be difficult for students without sufficient preparation.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 57 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Meaning and Scope of Farm Management · 3 hours
Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study definitions of economics, agricultural economics, and farm management.. Understand the scope of farm management and managerial functions.. Identify characteristics of a good manager.. Explain the importance of farm management in developing countries.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 2: The Problem Solving Approach · 3 hours
Explain the six steps in the problem-solving approach.. Understand the interrelationships between the steps.. Determine how decisions are made.. Study the role of observation and information gathering.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 3Module 1:
Unit 3: Data Gathering for Decision Making · 6 hours
Explain the need for data gathering for decision-making.. Describe basic information needed for farm records.. Explain types of records needed for decision-making.. Describe methods used in gathering farm data.. Improve collection of farm data for decision-making.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 4Module 1:
Unit 4: Valuation and Depreciation of Assets · 6 hours
Explain types of resources and reasons for managing them.. Describe how assets are acquired.. Use valuation methods.. Use depreciation methods.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 5Module 1:
Unit 5: Relevant Basic Economic Principles for Decision-Making · 6 hours
Explain the law of diminishing returns.. Explain how prices are determined by supply and demand.. Explain the relationship between production function and cost curves.. Explain how the equimarginal returns principle works.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 6Module 2:
Unit 6: The Networth Statement · 3 hours
Differentiate between the three categories of assets and liabilities.. Determine the net worth of a farm business.. Analyze the solvency of the farm.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 7Module 2:
Unit 7: The Net Income Statement · 6 hours
Explain the components part of the net income statement.. Determine the net income of a farm business.. Calculate returns to factors of production.. Analyze the profitability of the farm.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 8Module 2:
Unit 8: Measures of Financial Success & Capital Positions · 3 hours
Diagnose when the farm income is low.. Determine ratios indicating financial and capital positions.. Analyze the financial success of the farm.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 9Module 2:
Unit 9: Measures of Size and Resource Use Efficiency · 3 hours
Identify measures used in determining farm size.. Identify measures of resource use efficiency.. Calculate crop yield index.. Analyze the efficiency of resource use.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 10Module 2:
Unit 10: Gross Margin Analysis · 3 hours
Define gross margin and its component parts.. Explain the advantages of gross margin analysis.. Estimate gross margins of farm enterprises.. Use gross margin as a planning tool.. Choose between viable alternatives.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 11Module 2:
Unit 11: Farm Budgeting · 6 hours
Define farm budget.. Enumerate advantages of farm budgeting.. Explain the pre-requisites for budgeting.. Prepare farm budgets using different methods.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 12Module 2:
Unit 12: Risk and Uncertainty in Farming · 3 hours
Explain and differentiate between risk and uncertainty.. Describe methods of overcoming risk and uncertainty.. Enumerate precautions against uncertainty.. Explain causes of price instability in agriculture.. Determine effects of price fluctuation on farmers.. Apply decision rules and strategy models.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
- Week 13Module 2:
Unit 13: Livestock Enterprise Management · 3 hours
Identify factors affecting selection of livestock enterprises.. Identify factors affecting the profitability of milk production, egg production, and pig production.. Explain tips for making profit in livestock production.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
Unit 14: Crop Enterprise Management · 3 hours
Describe factors that affect crop yields and their implications for management.. Describe cropping possibilities in a particular location.. Explain implications of labour profiles on the management of labour on crop enterprises.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment.
Preparing for the exam
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and their solutions to understand key concepts and problem-solving techniques.
- Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on definitions, formulas, and practical applications.
- Practice applying the problem-solving approach from Unit 2 to various farm management scenarios.
- Focus on understanding the economic principles in Unit 5, including supply and demand, and diminishing returns.
- Create practice financial statements (Net Worth and Net Income) using hypothetical farm data.
- Study different methods of asset valuation and depreciation from Unit 4, and practice applying them.
- Develop strategies for managing risk and uncertainty in farming, as discussed in Unit 12.
- Review all formulas and calculations related to financial success and capital positions from Unit 8.
- Practice constructing farm budgets using different methods, as outlined in Unit 11.
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 data gathering, economic principles, and valuation methods.
- Allocate specific study time for each unit based on its complexity and your familiarity with the material.
- Form a study group to discuss challenging concepts and share different perspectives on the course material.
Questions students ask about this course
What is AEM753 about?
This course introduces fundamental principles and applications of farm management. During this course, students will learn about the meaning and scope of management, how to gather relevant information for making decisions on the farm, and how to use tools of analysis in the decision-making process. It also covers implications of risk and uncertainty on making decisions and precautions that farmers take against them. The course aims to provide an understanding of farm management principles, tools, and techniques to assist in decision-making.
How many units does AEM753 have?
AEM753, Farm Management, has 16 units across 3 modules, over 236 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is AEM753?
AEM753 carries 2 credit units, at 700 level in Agricultural Sciences.
Is AEM753 hard?
AEM753 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.
How long does AEM753 take to study?
About 208 hours of study, spread across its 16 units.
How is AEM753 assessed?
AEM753 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.
What can I do with AEM753?
Farm Manager, Agricultural Extension Officer, Agricultural Consultant, Agricultural Planner and Agricultural Loan Officer.