Agrobusiness Management

This is a comprehensive subject aimed at introducing the principles and practice of business management with particular emphasis on financial management of small agribusinesses. Major topics of study include: management concepts; understanding financial statements, evaluating past performance planning ahead; financing the business.

Basics knowledge in economic and marketing.

• Introduction to farm management from economic perspective (financial statements and the evaluation of performance).
• Strategy: define objectives, crafting a pertinent strategy, action plan. Strategic management issues.
• Marketing: knowledge of the market, adaptation to the market
• Marketing plan: marketing plan components, general price forecasting methods, marketing control,
• Budgeting: principles for management, role of budgeting, budget development
• Commercialization: basis of commercial organization, different commercial strategies, management of commercials actions
• Staffing and organization: human resource management, business organization
• Management and financial analysis: production costs, financial analysis, determinants of activity and ratability of an exploitation.
• Production: adapt the production tool, sustainable production monitoring.
• Concepts of management and financial management in small agribusiness.

Knowledge and understanding: * Understanding of the concept of management and management activities. * Understanding of the particular problems of small business management. * Understanding of and apply business planning procedures and investment analysis to long-term investments. * Understanding of business finance, sources of finance and financial planning.

A feature of this course is a case study/business plan for an agricultural estate. All students are required to conduct extensive research on a winery organization’s internal and external environments, including all its operational and financial issues. From that information, each student writes an individual strategic business plan for the operating winery including profit and cash budgets.

• K. Olson, Farm Management: Principles and Strategies, Wiley-Blackwell, 2003 Catalogue
• Principles of agribusiness managements: James G. Beierlein, Kenneth C. Schneeberger, Donad D. Osburn, 2007 Catalogue
• ROZMAN, Črtomir, TURK, Jernej, PAŽEK, Karmen. Menedžment v kmetijstvu. 1. izd. Slovenj Gradec: Kmetijska založba, 2009. 175 str.
• Slides
• Papers

Seminar is obligatory to participate to written examination, Written exam (100%)

prof.dr. Ivan Toroš is associate professor for field Marketing.

His professional and scientific references are evident on this link.