Case Study File
Case Study A
The course specification for AGR8003 shows that assessment is by two (2) case
studies and a presentation. The background statement and task specifications to the
first case study is provided bellow. Your task is prepare a 2000 word report
(excluding references).
Note: All assessment for AGR8003 is to be submitted via studydesk.
Background Statement
In carrying out this case study, you are to assume that you are an employee in the
research department of the (fictional) Australian horticultural industry peak body
(Fresh Grow Federation). Fresh Grow Federation represents the interests of the
Australian horticultural industry overall and it members includes growers, packers,
marketers, exporters, and those that support the industry (e.g. resellers, farm
advisors, researchers, transport and logistics ect). You have been tasked to
undertake the task outlined below and provide a comprehensive report to this
industry body.
Task specifications
In late 2019 there was an outbreak of fall armyworm in Northern Australia that
affected a range of horticultural crops. You task is to provide a report to your
employer that investigates the pests lifecycle, the causes of the outbreak, and how
it this relates to the interaction between agriculture and the environment. Also
discuss the implications of the outbreak in relation to other potential human impacts
on the environment. You are to make recommendations on how the potential
human impacts on the environment should be minimised in future similar outbreaks.
Presentation of the report
It is expected that the report will be no more than 2000 words in length (excluding
references), will be presented in the form of a research report and at a minimum,
contain the following sections.
Cover Page
Index
Executive Summary
Terms of Reference*
Sections on:
– Fall army worm life cycle
– The potential cause(s) of the Australian outbreak and how this relates to
interactions between agriculture and the environment
– Implications of the outbreak on human impacts on the environment
– Recommendations on how the potential human impacts on the
environment should be minimised in future similar outbreaks
– References
* These can be derived from the background statement and task statement
provided
Marking Guide
Inadequate (Deficient to
Poor)
Fair to Good Excellent Your
mark
Executive summary
Approx 250 words
Very brief, does not
adequately describe the
case study, approach taken,
findings, and has few
substantial
recommendations
Fair to good attempt to describe
the case study, approach taken,
findings, and has some substantial
recommendations but is not
altogether clear how these relate
to the case study
Good to excellent
description of the case
study, approach taken,
findings, and has
substantial
recommendations that are
well supported
0-1.5 2-3 3.5-4.5
Terms of reference
Vague statements of terms
of reference which provide
little information on the
expected content of the
case study
Fair to good statement of terms of
reference that provides a sound
though somewhat limited guide to
content of the case study
Good to excellent
statement of terms of
reference that provides
clear guide to content of
the case study
0-0.5 1-2 2.5-3
Fall army worm life
cycle
Approx 400 words
Vague statements showing
limited understanding of
the pests life cycle
Fairly clear to clear statements
showing substantial
understanding of the pests life
cycle
Clear and incisive
statements showing
comprehensive
understanding of the pests
life cycle
0-1.5 2-3 3.5-4.5
The potential
cause(s) of the
Australian outbreak
and how this
relates to
interactions
between
agriculture and the
environment
Approx 500 words
Vague statements showing
limited understanding of
the potential cause(s) of
the Australian outbreak
and how this relates to
interactions between
agriculture and the
environment
Fairly clear to clear statements
showing substantial
understanding of the potential
cause(s) of the Australian
outbreak and how this relates to
interactions between agriculture
and the environment
Clear and incisive
statements showing
comprehensive
understanding of the
potential cause(s) of the
Australian outbreak and
how this relates to
interactions between
agriculture and the
environment
0-1.5 2-3 3.5-4.5
Implications of the
outbreak on human
impacts on the
environment
Approx 500 words
Vague and incomplete
statements that show little
understanding of the
implications of the
outbreak on human
impacts on the
environment
Fair to good statements that show
substantial understanding of the
implications of the outbreak on
human impacts on the
environment
Good to excellent
statements that show
comprehensive
understanding of the
implications of the outbreak
on human impacts on the
environment
0-1.5 2-3 3.5-4.5
Recommendations
Approx 200 words
Imprecise recommendations
not well supported by
foregoing material
Fairly precise recommendations
supported by foregoing material,
but some limitations in scope
Comprehensive and precise
recommendations
supported by the forgoing
material, covers the scope
of the topic chosen
0-1.5 2-3 3.5-4.5
In text Referencing,
Bibliography and
report structure
Limited, too much reliance
on a few references,
diversity of sources not
evident, relies on a few
sources, non- standard
citation and bibliographic
listing, report does not
follow structure provided
Reasonably comprehensive, some
errors in citation and
bibliographic listing, some
limitations in diversity of sources
and some over-reliance on a few
references, few deviations from
report structure provided
Comprehensive, correctly
cited and presented, uses a
diversity of source, does not
rely on a limited number of
sources, and follows report
structure provided.
0-1.5 2-3 3.5-4.5
Total Marks: _____/30
Comments:
Case Study A
It is expected that the report will be no more than 2000 words in length (excluding references), will be presented in the form of a research report and at a minimum, contain the following sections.
