AGEC 340: AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT, Summer II, 2012
Prof. John Siebert
AGLS 212-E
979-845-4805
j-siebert@tamu.edu
T.A. Jessica Martini
361-549-1986
jessica_martini@tamu.edu
Admin. Asst. Ashley Stover
AGLS 212
979-845-5800
aestover@tamu.edu
What is this course?
This course examines how businesses and business executives succeed. Our learning
environment will be the agricultural and food industries. If your personal interest pertains to a
different industry, you should still gain tremendous practical business knowledge from our
course.
Office Hours
I enjoy visiting with you! My office door is always open to you. Please let me know when you
want to visit. Unless I am in class, the chances are great we can meet at the exact time you
request. My cell number is 979-220-8439.
Learning Outcomes
Key learning outcomes pertain to your:
(1) Developing self-confidence in your own reasoning and in demonstrating both your
pleasant speaking and your listening abilities.
(2) Using tools to identify a successful business (as compared to a weak business.)
(3) Learning to put yourself in a position to benefit from such a successful business.
Required Text – Where to Purchase
Our required text is course packet #9214 available from Copy Corner. You can purchase it at
Texas Aggieland Bookstore. The price, with sales tax included, is $71.55. Please buy it now.
It is different from all past packets.
“Texas Aggieland Bookstore”
(Next to Copy Corner)
2307 Texas Avenue
College Station
Ph. 696-3118 (696-3118)
Located North of Discount Tire
Regular
Store Hours
Monday – Friday 7AM – 6PM
Saturday
10AM – 6PM
Sunday
Noon – 4PM
Class Calendar of Events
The table of contents in your course packet exists only to help you locate each case. We will
actually read the cases in the order given by our Class Calendar of Events (see last page).
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Prerequisite
AGEC 105 - Introduction to Agricultural Economics or any college level economics class. Also,
at least junior level standing is required.
Attendance
When you miss class, all of your classmates are losers. Why? Because in this class we teach
each other. When you miss class, you lose too. Why? Because grading in this class is
designed to reward your preparation, attendance, and participation. My job is to make certain
each class is valuable, interesting, and fun.
University Policy – Make-ups/Attendance
If you require a make-up for missing class work, this will only be possible if your reason for
missing class work is due to a properly documented and reported university excused absence.
You will not qualify for make-up work unless you document your request in writing within two
class days of when your excused absence ends. Your T.A. Jessica Martini will need to see an
original copy of your documentation, plus he or she will need to keep a Xerox copy of your
documentation. So be prepared with that copy. In this, and all other areas, we will follow
university policy.
An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those who do
Admittedly one can win in the short run by cheating. But in the long run honest people can
detect what cheaters are doing and they will avoid such opportunists in both overt and also in
covert ways. Consequently, if you choose to cheat, then you will be excluded from good
opportunities. In both business and in life, your reputation of strong character will draw others of
equally positive character toward you. So play it straight – it pays off!
Stated differently, cheaters often wonder why they have such a tough time reaching their life
goals. Sadly, no one explains this problem to the cheater. Yet everyone gossips about the
cheater behind his or her back! Is it any wonder that some people can spend a lifetime trying to
shed a bad reputation?
Americans With Disabilities Act
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all students with disabilities be
guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodations. If you
believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services in
Cain Hall, Rm. B-118 or call 845-1637. For more information visit http://disability.tamu.edu.
Grading Errors
Check your grades frequently on eLearning. Failure to check your grades within one week of
posting means that they are final as posted.
Why teach this way – verbal participation?
Working in industry taught me that individuals who were organized, prepared, and pleasantly
spoke the truth tended to be successful. We will try to replicate this real-life environment.
Successful speaking with others is a primary skill. This skill is needed to break the ice in career
searches and new situations. Later on, texting and e-mail can and do play important roles.
However, successful verbal interaction (in person and on the phone) necessarily comes first.
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Who is your teacher?
I grew up near San Francisco in a town called Palo Alto. My Father was a salesman and
general manager. My wife Andrea and I have been married for 36 years. We have two sons.
Daniel’00 (architecture) and Matthew. I have an A.A. from Ohlone Junior College, a B.A. in
economics from Sonoma State College, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in agricultural economics from
the University of California - Berkeley.
After finishing college, I worked three years as an extension economist in grain elevator and
feedmill management at Purdue University in Indiana. I then worked four years as an
agricultural extension economist at U.C. Davis in California. Next, I worked ten years as a Vice
President at California Cooperative Creamery. In 1995, at age 44, I came to Texas A&M
University and taught my first class ever! I really enjoy teaching TAMU undergraduates!
Grade Calculation
25% - Quizzes When we discuss a case, you will have a quiz at the start of the class that day.
I call these quizzes outsets because they set the stage for our class-wide learning to begin.
Please read and study the assigned case before class. If you do, you will find these outsets to
be relatively easy. Your single lowest outset grade will be automatically dropped.
15% - Guests: When we have guest speakers, your grade here is determined by your being
present. These people come solely to see you and they want to make friends with you. If you
get to know them and if you are interested in their businesses, they will open doors for you.
This is my favorite part of the class! The rest of the class structure is needed to make this part
meaningful. If you arrive late or leave early on these days, you will not receive full points.
15% - Class Contribution: When you raise your hand and are called upon, your contribution to
our class discussion is counted. The course is divided into four parts using the exam dates.
During each of these four parts, your T.A. is tracking your discussion points as follows:
 If we hear from you two or more times - grade of 100%
 If we hear from you one time grade of 50%
 If we do not hear from you grade of 0%
After each exam we start counting all over again. Before or after class you are invited to walk
down to the front of our classroom and check with your T.A. regarding your class contribution
points. Use your seat number for this purpose. Important - we post contribution periodically on
eLearning – check eLearning promptly for accuracy.
25% - Midterm Exams: All classroom activities, readings, and discussion will be covered on
exams. Take notes in class! A proven approach is to re-copy your notes very soon after class.
This enables you to fill-in missing details and helps you to memorize concepts. We will have
three midterms exams and your average will be based upon your two highest scores.
20% - Final Exam: The final is mandatory. It is cumulative.
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Course letter grade assignment: A=100–90; B=80–89; C=70-79; D=60-69; F<60
Grades Posted: Check e-Learning frequently as it gives all your grade details. Failure to
check your grades within one week of posting means that they are final as posted.
A Perfect Class Grade is calculated as Follows:
Activity
Weighting
Quizzes
Guests
Contrib.
Midterm
Final
Total
25
15
15
25
20
100
100%
100%
100%
100%
n.a.
15
15
25
20
100
A student’s average
scores
100%
The weighted grade
impact of scores
25
A
Look! Without Class Contribution, Grade Drops Substantially:
Activity
Weighting
Quizzes
Guests
Contrib.
Midterm
Final
Total
25
15
15
25
20
100
100%
n.a.
20
85
A student’s average
scores
100%
The weighted grade
impact of scores
25
100%
15
0%
100%
0
25
4
B
Class Calendar of Events *
Date Day
7-3
7-4
7-5
7-6
7-9
7-10
7-11
Tu
Wd
Thr
Fri
Mon
Tu
Wd
7-12
7-13
7-16
7-17
7-18
7-19
Thr
Fri
Mon
Tu
Wd
Thr
7-20
7-23
7-24
7-25
7-26
7-27
7-30
7-31
8-1
8-2
Fri
Mon
Tu
Wd
Thr
Fri
Mon
Tu
Wd
Thr
8-3
8-6
8-7
Fri
Mon
Tu
Activity
Introduction and Syllabus
HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
Agribusiness Concepts
How to Read a Case Study
Case: Monsanto, Realizing Biotech Value in Brazil (HBS: 9-507-018)
Case: Pedernales Electric Cooperative (Park & Siebert)
Case: Maintaining a Healthy Equity: Producers Cooperative Association,
Bryan, TX. (Siebert & Park)
Professor for a Day – Rebecca Cain, Nelson Plant Food, Bellville,TX
Mid-Term I
Case: Mid-Missouri Energy (HBS: N9-711-004)
Case: Chuck’s Wagon, Inc. (HBS: 9-805-100)
Case: Integrated Packaging Corporation (HBS: 9-307-064)
Professors for a Day – Todd Froebel or Mark Patranella, Blue Bell
Creameries with Matt Witt and Kyle Hunter of Stanpac, Brenham, TX
Mid-Term II
Case: How I Learned to Let My Workers Lead (HBR No. 90610)
Case: JBS Swift & Co. (HBS: 9-509-021)
Case: Certified Angus Beef Articles
Guest Professor for a Day – To Be Announced
Mid-Term III
Case: BPI Articles
Case: What Is It That Only I Can Do? (HBR No. R1101J)
Case: Supply Chain Management at Walmart (Ivey – 907D01)
Guest Professor for a Day – Dr. Joe Harris, Executive Director, Southwest
Meat Association, Bryan, TX
Case: Farmland Investing: A Technical Note (HBS: 9-211-022)
Problem Solving and Review Session for Final Exam
FINAL EXAM
* If this schedule changes, a new schedule will be distributed in class beforehand.
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