Module
Farm Business Management
- Module code
- 1120
- Module leader
- Mike Draper
- Module level
- 4
- Module credits
- 15
- Prerequisites
- None
- Min study time
- 150 hours
- Contact Hrs within study time
- 40 hours
- Teaching period
- Semester 2
Module content
This module introduces the different types of farming and land based business and leads into the process of enterprise analysis, determining variable and fixed costs, developing gross margin analysis, simple profit and loss statements, cash flows, PAYE/National Insurance, personal and company taxation, employment, resource appraisal and the use of simple computerised management tools to support decision making within the farming business.
Module outcomes
To achieve credit for this module, students must be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the use of business analysis in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a land based business.
- Assess the physical and financial performance of a business against industry standards.
- Explain the process of undertaking a resource appraisal for a farming business and why it is crucial to a farm business plan
Assessment
| Assessment | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | 1 x Essay one of a choice of farm business management topics | 30% |
| Coursework | 1 x Group coursework | 40% |
| Examination | 1 x 1.5 hour Unseen Examination | 30% |
Key texts
Students should be familiar with the content of at least one of the following:
- Agro Business Consultants (annual). Agricultural Budgeting and Costing Book. Agro Business Consultants.
- Barnard, C.S. and Nix, J.S. (1979). Farm Planning and Control. 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press.
- DEFRA (2004). Getting Started in Farm Management Accounting: Part 1: Using the Farm Accounts to Point the Way. (PB; 8916A). Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
- DEFRA (2004). Getting Started in Farm Management Accounting: Part 2: Mapping Out a Farming Future. (PB; 8916B). Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
- Turner, J. and Taylor, M. (1998). Applied Farm Management. 2nd edn. Blackwell Science.