NES2000 : Current Trends in Agricultural Markets - Undergraduate Study

Offered for Year: 2024/25

Module Leader(s): Mr Simon Parker
Lecturer: Dr Jeremy Robert Franks, Dr Paul Bilsborrow, Dr Helen Gray

Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value:	10
ECTS Credits:	5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

To provide an understanding of the special characteristics of the marketing of agricultural products in a UK context. The module begins with an overview of the subject of marketing and identifies why the subjects have progressed along different paths. The main UK agricultural products sections are then considered in depth.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introduction to the module
Marketing principles and special characteristics of the marketing of agricultural products.

The Food Consumer
Factors affecting the behaviour of food consumers; changing patterns of demand for food products in the UK; consumer attitudes to food safety.

Livestock (red meat) Marketing
Covering the UK marketing system; trends in production and consumption; auction markets and electronic marketing; role of the MLC; and impact of current issues (BSE and Foot & Mouth); the role of UK marketing agencies (AHDB/EBLEX/BPEX).

Cereals Marketing
Covering the UK cereals marketing system; trends in production, consumption and trade; impact of EU cereals regime; the use of futures contracts; and the role of the Home Grown Cereals Authority.

Milk Marketing
Covering the changing structure of Milk Markets; the role of co-operatives and the impact of EU Dairy Policy.

Sugar Beet and Potatoes
Including contracts, grading and impact of EU Sugar Regime

Oilseeds and Pigment
Including farm assurance schemes

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Category	Activity	Number	Length	Student Hours	Comment
Structured Guided Learning	Lecture materials	12	2:00	24:00	Lecture material delivered via PiP.
Guided Independent Study	Assessment preparation and completion	1	15:00	15:00	Simulation Exercise
Guided Independent Study	Assessment preparation and completion	1	25:00	25:00	Revision and completion of computer assessment
Structured Guided Learning	Lecture materials	1	1:00	1:00	Introduction to the commodity simulator and launch of the coursework assignment
Structured Guided Learning	Structured research and reading activities	10	2:00	20:00	Research the variables that cause fluctuation in commodity values
Structured Guided Learning	Structured non-synchronous discussion	10	0:30	5:00	Tutorial and seminar opportunities to discuss significant variance in the market forces
Guided Independent Study	Independent study	1	10:00	10:00	Background reading for lecture preparation.
Total	100:00

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The specialist nature of much of the material makes it appropriate for this to be a lecture-based module with contributions from staff with experience of marketing a range of commodities, related to the different commodity sectors. Linked to Intended Knowledge Outcomes 1,2,3 and Intended Learning Outcome 2.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment

Description	Semester	When Set	Percentage	Comment
Written exercise	2	M	100	Commodity Simulator Completion

Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description	Semester	When Set	Comment
Report	2	M	Formative discussions on issues affecting commodity values

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The simulation exercise allows student's to demonstrate their understanding and practice trading agricultural commodity in a real time circumstance.

Reading Lists

NES2000's Reading List

Timetable

Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
NES2000's Timetable

Module