AG 203 - Agricultural Finance and Markets

1. Explore the key drivers and trends of the global economy.
2. Assess the impact of global factors (e.g., climate change, tariffs, trade agreements, subsidies, global policies) on the world agricultural market.
3. Explain the principles of commodity marketing including: supply/demand, price determination, and market structures (quota, value chain, vertical integration).
4. Discuss strategies for marketing agricultural commodities effectively.
5. Identify various agricultural risks and mitigation strategies (e.g.: insurance, hedging and diversification)
6. Engage with industry professionals to collaboratively address real world agricultural finance and marketing challenges and solutions.

Attendance will be recorded. Students who are absent are responsible for covering the material. All students are expected to demonstrate a high level of participation.

Financial experts may be invited to speak on specific topics.

Classroom and laboratory attendance is considered vital to the learning process and as significant to the students’ evaluation as examinations and reports.

• Students having a combination of excused and/or unexcused absence of 20 percent or higher for the scheduled course hours are required to withdraw and automatically receive a “RW” (required withdrawal) for the course, regardless of any other evaluation results. (RW is a failing grade.)
• An excused absence is one that is verified with your instructor. Verification should be prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence. Verification of the absence may take the form of a note from your doctor/College nurse regarding illness, or a note from another instructor regarding a field trip or other activity, or authorization by your instructor. An unexcused absence is anything NOT verified by the instructor prior to the absence or the next class day following the absence.

It is the students’ responsibility to know their own absentee record.

Normal hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., with potential for evening courses, exams, or extended field trips. Students are expected to be available for classes during these times.

Content of Course:

1. Global Economy
   • Interest Rates
   • US Dollar/ Global Currency
   • Trade Agreement and Policies, Tariffs, Subsidies
2. Global Factors
   • External unpredictable factors
3. Principles of Commodity Marketing
   • Net exports
   • Contracts and Types
   • Common Canadian Commodities
4. Strategies for Commodity Marketing
   • Marketing Resources
   • Market Analysis
   • Trend Analysis
5. Agricultural Risks and Mitigation Strategies
   • Insurance
   • Biosecurity
   • Succession Planning
   • Social Impact
6. Engagement with Industry Professionals
   • Case Analysis
   • Connection with at least one Industry Partner
   • Solution Orientated

• Official final grades will be available on My Lakeland. Grades posted in D2L should be considered interim grades.  
• “Lakeland College is committed to the highest academic standards. Students are expected to be familiar with Lakeland College policies and to abide by these policies. Violations of these policies are considered to be serious and may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.”  

Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.

Every effort has been made to ensure that information in this course outline is accurate at the time of publication. Lakeland College reserves the right to change courses if it becomes necessary so that course content remains relevant.

In such cases, the instructor will give students clear and timely notice of changes.

No part of this course outline may be reproduced in any form or resold without written permission from Lakeland College.

Copyright©LAKELAND COLLEGE.
2602 - 59 Avenue, Lloydminster, Alberta, Canada T9V 3N7. Ph: 780 871 5700
  5707 College Drive, Vermilion, Alberta, Canada T9X 1K5. Ph: 780 853 8400
Toll-free in Canada: 1 800 661 6490 E-mail: admissions@lakelandcollege.ca