Course:FRE515
| FRE 515: Agribusiness Management | |
|---|---|
 | |
| FRE 515 | |
| Section: | |
| Instructor: | Karen Taylor, PhD, MBA, P.Ag |
| Email: | kwtaylor@mail.ubc |
| Office: | MCML 352 |
| Office Hours: | before or after class,
or by appointment |
| Class Schedule: | Before Feb Reading Break
Tuesdays 10:00- 1:00 After Feb Reading Break Mons/Weds: 10:30 to 12:00 |
| Classroom: | MCML 154 |
| Important Course Pages | |
| Syllabus | |
| Lecture Notes | |
| Assignments | |
| Course Discussion | |
COURSE INFORMATION
Instructor: Karen W. Taylor, PhD, MBA, P.Ag.
E-mail: kwtaylor@mail.ubc.ca
Cell: 778-875-0385
Class Time:
Part 1: January 5th – February 13th, 2026
Tuesdays: 10:00 – 1:00 pm (MCML 154)
Part 2: February 23rd – April 10th, 2026
Mondays and Wednesdays: 10:30 pm – 12:00 pm (MCML 154)
Fridays: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm Site Visits – details TBD.
Office Hours: upon request
Office: 3rd floor MCML
Website: UBC Canvas
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to further develop concepts learned in FRE 516 and apply them in a practical context with real-life examples in the agriculture, food and resource sectors. Practical context is provided through in-class lectures and site-visits to Lower Mainland agribusinesses.
Course topics include financial statement analysis and how it is used by owners, investors, lenders, and industry stakeholders to make decisions; business valuation using assets, earnings, cash flow, and market factors; real-world financing of agribusinesses; and sources and uses of capital. The management techniques of Just-in-Time, LEAN, vertical integration plus successful leadership is integrated into the course topics. In addition to these practical real world applications, the course will dive into emerging topics of sustainable finance utilization, how lending and businesses are preparing to adapt to upcoming changes related to climate-change, sustainability reporting practices, and how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in the agriculture and food sectors, as well as by banks..
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Analyze financial statements, calculate key ratios and utilize findings to make informed management decisions.
- Assess an agribusiness’s value using EBITDA, cash flow, enterprise value, and discounted cash flows for purchases, sale, or financing decisions.
- Examine agribusiness financing and sustainability finance by identifying capital sources and exploring how sustainable finance is shaping the agribusiness market.
- Learn from real-world agribusiness examples by applying concepts from case studies and site visits to actual agribusinesses, gaining insights from industry leaders on production management, sustainable practices, and the challenges of operating successful agribusinesses.
ASSESSMENT REPORT
Business Analysis & Valuation Presentation: Group Project: Objectives: students have the opportunity to utilize the tools learned in class and take a deep dive into a business, analyze it, determine a valuation, and recommend if they would or would not invest in the business.
REAL-WORLD APPLICATIONS IN CLIMATE, FOOD & ENVIRONMENT
- How should an agribusiness be analyzed to inform strategic decisions, assess its value, and ensure long-term sustainability?
- How can firms, investors, and lenders work together to tackle climate change and accelerate progress on sustainability?
ASSESSMENT METHODS
| Activity | Percent of Grade | |
|---|---|---|
| Class & Site Visit Participation | Throughout the term | 15% |
| Assignments (Best 5 of 6 assignments) | Throughout the term | 20% |
| Midterm | View schedule online | 20% |
| Group Presentation | View schedule online | 20% |
| Final Exam | View schedule online | 25% |
| Total: | 100% |