AGBE - Agricultural Business and Econ

AGBE 210IS Economics of Ag Business: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: ECNS 101IS or ECNS 132. (Sp) This course provides an introduction to marketing, trade, risk, strategic, natural resources, and financial management of farms/ranches and agribusiness firms in the domestic and global economy. Basic economic principles will be applied to farm/ranch and agribusiness management, marketing, and international agricultural trade issues

View Course Outcomes:

Recognize and explain terminology and concepts used in agricultural economics and business.
Analyze the determinants and consequences of business decisions, consumer behavior, market outcomes, and government policies using economic models(in words, graphs, and math).
Apply the tools of economics to understand real-world issues around the operation of, and impact of, agricultural businesses in the modern economy.

AGBE 290R Undergraduate Research: 1-8 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: ECNS 101IS or ECNS 132 and consent of instructor. (On demand.) Intended for lower division undergraduate research/undergraduate scholars program. The student will work closely with the supervising faculty. Course will address responsible conduct of research
Repeatable up to 8 credits.

View Course Outcomes:

Independent Study: Student learning outcomes vary.

AGBE 291 Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: None required but some may be determined necessary by each offering department. On demand. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

View Course Outcomes:

Independent Study: Student learning outcomes vary.

AGBE 292 Independent Seminar: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor and approval of department head. () On demand. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 3 credits.

View Course Outcomes:

Independent Study: Student learning outcomes vary.

AGBE 315 Ag in a Global Context: 3 Credits (2 Lec, 1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: ECNS 204IS or BIOB 110CS or ANSC 265 or AGBE 210IS and consent of instructor. () The primary goal of this course is to provide students with an integrated view of the science, technology, production practices, product handling, product marketing system, and end uses for agricultural products produced in Montana

View Course Outcomes:

Describe issues related to international trade of grain and/or livestock products
Describe the integration of science, technology, production, product handling, marketing, transportation, and logistical structures related to international trade
Describe the importance of cultural differences in determining the structure of grain-based food products and regulation of the grain and food industry
Partake in an international travel experience to study end-users of grain and/or livestock products in important export markets.

AGBE 321 Economics of Agricultural Marketing: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: ECNS 204IS or ECNS 251IS or AGBE 210IS. (F) Issues in marketing agricultural products and the economic principles that assist in analysis of these issues. Factors affecting market prices, and topics associated with methods of marketing are considered. Emphasis on Montana products

View Course Outcomes:

Describe the economic principles that govern the supply and demand of agricultural products
Explain the market structure along the food supply chain, how price is transmitted, and the role of market power
Using economics models, analyze the factors that affect agricultural commodity prices, including transportation costs and trade policies
Explain the futures and options market and how they are used to mitigate price risks in agricultural commodity markets

AGBE 337 Agricultural Law: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing. (F, Sp) Application of general principles of law to ownership and operation of farming business and its relationship with other agribusiness firms, government agencies and people

AGBE 341 Farm and Ranch Management: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: ECNS 204IS or ECNS 251IS or AGBE 210IS. (Sp) This course provides an in-depth exploration of principles and practices in farm and ranch management. Students will gain knowledge and skills related to decision-making, financial analysis, resource allocation, risk management, and sustainable agricultural practices

View Course Outcomes:

Define key concepts and principles related to farm and ranch management to better identify factors influencing decision-making in agriculture.
Create, interpret, and assess financial statements and budgets for farm and ranch operations.
Analyze production data to determine optimal output levels for different crops or livestock. Learn to apply different cost concepts to maximize profits in the short and long run.
Identify and navigate relevant government programs and policies that managers can leverage to improve yield, income, and financial security.
Assess various risk factors and develop risk mitigation strategies, such as insurance and sustainable practices.

AGBE 345 Agriculture Finance and Credit Analysis: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: ECNS 204IS or ECNS 251IS or AGBE 210IS. (F) Alternatives available to farmers for acquiring and maintaining control over resources used in agriculture production. Emphasis is on the management of cash, credit, debt, taxes, and interest in relation to agricultural price levels and general economic conditions. Cross-listed with ECNS 345

View Course Outcomes:

Demonstrate proficiency in understanding fundamental concepts related to present and future value analysis
Describe how inflation and taxes affect the outcomes of intertemporal decision-making
Develop a working knowledge of concepts related to various types of loan amortization methods
Display a familiarity with the contents of basic financial statements

AGBE 353 Co-operative Business Principles and Practice: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: ECNS 204IS or ECNS 251IS or AGBE 210IS. (F) The course will acquaint students with cooperatives and the cooperative way of doing business. Students will learn the role of cooperatives in marketing, bargaining, purchasing, and service. Cooperative business decision making will be emphasized throughout the course

View Course Outcomes:

Identify economic justifications for the cooperative as a business entity;
Illustrate unique characteristics surrounding the governance, finance, and management of cooperative businesses;
Explain the basic steps in starting a business and establishing a cooperative.

AGBE 394 Seminar: 1-2 Credits (1-2 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing. () On demand. Current agricultural problems and writings of people in the profession. Topics vary each semester; check with the department before registering
Repeatable up to 3 credits.

AGBE 421 Advanced Agricultural Marketing: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: AGBE 321 or consent of instructor. (Sp) Economic analysis of current issues in agricultural marketing including market structure, risk, and efficiency; commodity promotion; futures and options markets; price forecasting; and retained ownership options

View Course Outcomes:

Explain the economic analyses of current agricultural commodity marketing issues including market structures, price risk management, efficiency, and price determination;
Demonstrate thorough understanding of the role and mechanics of commodity futures markets in terms of managing agricultural commodity price risk;
Demonstrate thorough understanding of the role and mechanics of commodity options markets in terms of managing agricultural commodity price risks;
Explain the role of global markets and international finance as they relate to agricultural commodity and food product marketing.

AGBE 445 Agribusiness Management: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: ECNS 301, STAT 216Q or BMGT 240IS or EIND 354, and either AGBE 345 or ECNS 345 or BFIN 322. (Sp) Students are expected to use tools and concepts developed in earlier course work to address typical problems faced by agribusiness and agricultural producers. Modern real-world applications of agricultural economics and agribusiness are examined extensively

View Course Outcomes:

Demonstrate how upstream and downstream markets relate to one another in an agricultural supply chain.
Discuss welfare impacts of adding or removing trade barriers for consumers and producers across industries.
Model agricultural production in the presence of risk, uncertainty, and seasonal change.
Model production decisions in markets with imperfect competition.
Develop and assess solutions to real-life agribusiness production and marketing problems through practice with case studies.
Defend business proposal action plans, acknowledging potential strengths and weaknesses of the plan.

AGBE 451RS Economics of Ag Policy: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: ECNS 301. (F) Senior capstone course. Consideration of economic problems in American agricultural policy. Rigorous analysis of the history and consequences of agricultural policy on consumers, producers, and taxpayers

View Course Outcomes:

Recognize and explain economic problems and alternatives related to U.S. agriculture.
Demonstrate rigorous understanding of the causes and consequences of agricultural government programs.
Apply economic principles as a means for understanding economic consequences of governmental agricultural programs on consumers, taxpayers, markets, and producers.
Demonstrate rigorous understanding of international agricultural trade policy issues.

AGBE 467 Quantitative Method in Agricultural Economics: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: ECNS 301, M 221 and approval of instructor. Static and dynamic optimization models in economics. Nonlinear and dynamic programming models are introduced. Emphasis on formulating economic and management problems in terms of quantitative models

View Course Outcomes:

Recognize and explain static and dynamic economic optimization models;
Explain nonlinear and dynamic programming models;
Demonstrate basic ability to formulate economic and management problems in terms of quantitative models;
Demonstrate basic understanding of constrained optimization techniques and their economic applications.

AGBE 490R Undergraduate Research: 1-8 Credits (1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: ECNS 204IS or AGBE 210IS or ECNS 251IS, and approval of instructor. (On Demand.) Junior standing. Intended for upper division undergraduate research/undergraduate scholars program. The student will work closely with the supervising faculty. Course will address responsible conduct of research
Repeatable up to 8 credits.

View Course Outcomes:

Independent Study: Student learning outcomes vary.

AGBE 491 Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Course prerequisites are dependent on the offering. On demand. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

View Course Outcomes:

Independent Study: Student learning outcomes vary.

AGBE 492 Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing, consent of instructor, and approval of department head. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

View Course Outcomes:

Independent Study: Student learning outcomes vary.

AGBE 590 Master's Thesis: 1-10 Credits (1-10 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Master's standing
May be repeated.
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

AGBE 591 Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Upper division courses, and others as determined for each offering. On demand. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

AGBE 592 Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing, consent of instructor, approval of department head and Dean of the Graduate School. () On demand. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.