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 pest’s 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

(Approx 150 words)

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.