22741 - Organisation and Management of Livestock Breeding Farms

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, studentsare aware of ther relevantbreeding firms organisation and management models, in relation to the supply chain and agrofood system context; they can analyse management choices in the relevant firm and system environment, based on economic indexes, and autonomously judge about their effectiveness in the technological, economic and institutional context. They can communicate and justify their economic analysis to the private and public stakeholders involved in the firm management. Finally the can individually learn about innovation in firm management,based onscientific literature and onpractice feedback.

Course contents

Production theory. Production operations. Natural production laws. Production function (one and two variable inputs). Sector decision. Cost of production. Production function.

Farm management. Management tools derived from production theory. Farm balance sheet. Cost calculation and analysis. Partial budgeting. Cost of machinery (cash-or-rent problem). Feed processing cost. Investment analysis. Farm efficiency analysis.

Market models. Market structure and behaviour. The Structure-Conduct-Performance paradigm. Real markets in the AFS. Organization and integration  of animal food supply chains.

The Agro-Food System (AFS). Food consumption models in real societies. Socio-economic drivers of food consumption models. Food supply models. The supply chains of animal food. Co-evolution of demand and supply in the national AFS from the '70s.

Agricultural science and feed production related to the organization of a milk farm (basic concepts).

Practical exercises in production cost calculation related to real cases (milk production cost, investment analysis), based participative methods and working groups.

Non attending Students are warmely adviced to put particular attention to the following issues: production theory and production cost calculation (Zucchi, 2006), AFS organization (Mariani and Viganò, 2002) (see Reading/Bibliorgafy section).

Readings/Bibliography

Notes and slides delivered by the Teacher during the course.

Zucchi, G. Zooeconomia. Economia del sistema delle produzioni animali. Ed. Avenue media, Bologna, 2006

Mariani A., Vigano' E. (2002) Il sistema agroalimentare dell'Unione Europea, Carocci Editore, Roma

Airoldi G., Brunetti G., Coda V. (2005) Corso di economia aziendale. Il Mulino Editore, Bologna

Teaching methods

Front courses

Case study analysis and problem solving approach

Participatory teaching methods. 1) During the classes, Students are regularly required to apply the basic economic concepts and analytical schemes to practical cases and problems, suggested by the Sudents or by the Teacher himself. 2) At least once during the course (mid/final part) a review session is developed, based on Teacher instruction, where Students are demanded to recall the arguments treated during the classes, structure them according to logical criteria, identify functional links among concepts and analytical schemes. In case of remote learning, this activity can be substituted by mid-term test (multi-choice test).

Assessment methods

Oral examination. The aim of the oral examination is knowledge assessment.

Examination list will be published on Alma Esami. On-line examinations are performed through institutional platforms (Teams), directly linked to the public examination list (e.mail convocation and participation link).

No support material is allowed during the examinations. Students with particular needs will aks the Teacher for adequate solutions. The duration is at least 30'.

During the examination Students will be asked at least 3 questions concerning respectively: 1) Production theory, 2) Agronomy and farm management, 3) Markets and food system organization. The result of the examination is positive when the Candidate shows at least a minimal knowledge concerning the above-mentioned points.

A deep and complete knowledge of the topics addressed in the course, together with high skills of critical analysis, connection and a sure command of specific terminology will be evaluated with the maximum score (30-30L);

A thorough knowledge of most of the topics addressed in the course, together with good analytical and critical skills and the possession of a sure command of specific terminology will be evaluated with good marks (25-29/30);

A technically adequate preparation even with some lacks, a sufficient analytical capacity though not completely articulated, expressed in a correct language, will produce notes between 20 and 24/30);

A preparation showing some lacks, a sufficient analytical capacity which require Teacher support, expressed in a barely correct language, will determine lower evaluation (18-19/30).

Teaching tools

Slide presentation

Case analysis

Exercises and test based on web applications

Course materials are available at IOL. Students are invited to e.mail the Teacher for any problem concerning the access, the organization or the content of published materials.

 

Office hours

See the website of Maurizio Aragrande