Agricultural Economics
Market food, feed, fibre and fuel. Learn about global trade. Challenge political policies. Learn the business aspect of the world's largest industries. These are just a few opportunities available to you when you choose to major in Agricultural Economics at the University of Saskatchewan.
What is Agricultural Economics?
Economics is the study of how societies use available resources to meet the needs of people. Agriculture represents the single largest use of the earth's resources—a major driving force in the world's economy. Agriculture is a modern, complex industry where products are being consumed, developed, financed, grown, marketed, processed, regulated, researched, taxed and transported. Environmental quality, food safety, management of biotechnology and globalization are important issues that agricultural economists study in a business context.
If you have an interest in social studies, the environment, business, finance, international relations, government or science, this program is a great place to start your career path. At the U of S, students learn how to relate theories and concepts from agricultural economics to better understand business management and current, real-world issues.
I chose the College of Agriculture & Bioresources for its history and reputation. Studying Agricultural Economics allows me to learn from internationally recognized teachers and provides an opportunity to apply knowledge to real life problems. Faculty in the department truly care about my goals and will go out of their way to help me attain them.—Andrew Laing
Career Opportunities
The job market for economists is remarkably consistent—regardless of economic ups and downs, experts are always in demand. Economists specializing in agricultural economics are experiencing an expanding range of career options and an increasing demand for their expertise as the industry becomes more diverse, global and high tech in nature.
Students with Agricultural Economics training are actively recruited into the job market, finding positions locally, nationally and internationally in areas such as agriculture policy, business management, intellectual property, international development, international trade, marketing, natural resource and environmental economics, price analysis and community development. As well, the College's strong ties with industry and reputation for producing well-rounded, quality graduates means that many businesses turn here first when recruiting employees.
The U of S Advantage
In 2001, the Agricultural Economics program at the U of S received an 'A' rating by an expert panel of reviewers for the quality of its teaching, courses, facilities and student experience.
The U of S provides a learning environment with an innovative, hands-on approach to education, offered in world-class teaching facilities. In this unique environment students will learn from top-notch faculty, some who are teacher-scholars, teacher practitioners and world-class researchers. Others are running their own agribusinesses part-time.
The College of Agriculture & Bioresources offers a setting that combines the advantages of a full-scale university with the benefits of a small, specialized program. The small class sizes and supportive atmosphere allows students to get to know their instructors and fellow students and to build a network of personal and business contacts.
In addition to oustanding technical instruction, students will also receive essential leadership and professional training including computer skills, business writing skills and public speaking experience.
Choose Your Program!
After a first year of general courses, students have the option of specializing in Agricultural Economics. Beginning in second year, students take a concentration of courses related to their major, plus a variety of required and elective courses. Students can enhance their studies by participating in study abroad or joining the Ag Ec Student's Club or the student chapter of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association.
Some of the topics students will study include a supply chain perspective of science, technology, production practice, product handling, product marketing systems and uses for Saskatchewan-produced grain; natural resource use from the management and policy perspective; problems affecting Western Canadian agriculture; and farm and agricultural business operations management.
Students also have the option of completing a minor program in combination with a major in a related area such as agribusiness or biotechnology. Minors are a great way to broaden career options.
A Major in Agricultural Economics
Students majoring in Agricultural Economics earn the following degrees:
- B.S.A. Four year
- B.S.A. Honours
Students who begin their studies in other colleges or schools, such as Business or Arts & Science, may also transfer into this program.
A Stepping Stone...
A B.S.A. degree in Agricultural Economics is an extremely useful and marketable starting point for studies in other areas such as business, communications, education, international studies, finance, journalism, law or politics.
Graduates from this highly-regarded degree program have excellent prospects as Master's students at the U of S and at other top universities across North America and the world.
Graduates from this department have been accepted at prestigious post-secondary institutions including the University of California-Berkeley, the University of Maryland, the University of Pennsylvania, Oxford University, the University of California-Davis and the London School of Economics.
The best part of studying at the College of Agriculture & Bioresources was the people I met and the friends I made—not to mention a first-class education that is recognized immediately.—Blain van Melle,
B.S.A., M.Sc.
Outstanding Students & Faculty
- Professor Tom Allen, CIBC Scholar in Agricultural Entrepreneurship, spent six months at Massey University in New Zealand studying Indigenous entrepreneurship among the Maori people.
- Marilyn Poitras, LL.M. (Harvard) is leading the development of a program unique in Canada that will enhance the capacity of Indigenous peoples to deal with resource management and environmental issues.
- Dr. Mark Patridge, Canada Research Chair for the New Rural Economy, examines issues that affect the vitality of Rural Canada from a diversified economy, health care, environment, amenities, and transportation to a productive and sustainable agricultural sector.
- Blain van Melle, BSA (Hons) 2001, M.Sc 2003 is utilizing his skills and knowledge gained from the Department every day as a Market Analyst. Blain assists power and natural gas traders in making profitable trading decisions; he analyzes power and natural gas markets in North America, as well as international crude oil markets in order to provide market advice.
- Clinton Monchuk, BSA 2000, M.Sc. (Guelph) works as a Trade Policy Analyst for the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, a non-profit farmer-lead organization. In his position he discusses and develops international and domestic agricultural policies that affect the Canadian agriculture industry.
- Professor Hayley Hesseln examines forest economics and management, agro-forestry development and wildfire and community risks.
Research Facilities
The Department of Bioresource Policy, Business & Economics provides students with access to excellent computer facilities such as C-RERL, a state-of-the-art research facility designed to study Canada's rural economy, quality of life, and environment utilizing the latest GIS software and statistical packages.
Getting Involved!
Join the Agricultural Economics Student Club. The Club is very active and has regularly organized tours of industry, hosted debates by political candidates and prominent guest speakers, including provincial ministers and senior corporate executives.
As a member, you can also belong to the Agriculture Students' Association, one of the campus' most active and spirited student bodies whose activities include everything from debates, to speaker nights, to professional development days, to Telemiracle fundraising, to social nights with the professors.
Admission Requirements
The following is a list of high school subjects required for admission. Please select the province/territory where you completed high school.
Additional Information
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