Major map:
Agricultural Economics
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.S.A) - View all program options
Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.
Agricultural Economics is the study of how societies use available resources to meet the needs of people. Agriculture represents the single largest user of the earth's resources—a major driving force in the world's economy. Agricultural economists study agriculture from a business context: where and how agricultural products are consumed, developed, financed, grown, marketed, processed, regulated, researched, taxed and transported.
You will learn to look for rational and practical solutions to applied economic, social and environmental issues locally and globally. Students with an Agricultural Economics major can focus on themes like environmental and resource management, food institutions and policy, rural economics, and agricultural business management, finance and marketing. Students can also customize their own program through selection of appropriate restricted and open electives.
Not a USask student?
Learn more about studying agricultural economics at USask and apply for admission.
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
AGRC 111.3 | Introduction to Plant and Soil Sciences
AGRC 112.3 | Animal Agriculture and Food Science
AGRC 113.3 | Introduction to Agri Food Economics
BIOL 120.3 | The Nature of Life
BIOL 121.3 | The Diversity of Life
CHEM 112.3 | General Chemistry I Structure Bonding and Properties of Materials
ECON 111.3 | Introductory Microeconomics
ECON 114.3 | Introductory Macroeconomics
You choose
- AREC 220.3, History of Indigenous Agriculture in Canada, OR INDG 107.3 Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies
- One course (3 c.u.) from a variety of courses in social sciences, humanities, and fine arts to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Explore information about your program in the course and program catalogue
- Meet with an AgBio Student Services academic advisor for help choosing your courses and planning your degree
- Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
- Visit AgBio Student Services to find out about unique supports for AgBio students
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
- Declare your major before the end of your first year by contacting [email protected]
What will I learn?
- Innovate solutions to issues like environmental quality, food safety, management of biotechnology, the structure of commodity supply chains, and trade and globalization from an economics and business perspective
- Develop an agricultural economists’ perspective on science, technology, production practices and product handling, product marketing systems, and consumption of Saskatchewan-produced commodities
- Describe more effective natural resource utilization from an economic policy and management perspective
- Explain how economics can generate considerable insight with respect to various issues and problems affecting Western Canadian agriculture
- Evaluate both farming and agricultural business operations and management, including how to manage and conduct data analyses relevant to farm operations
Gain relevant experience
- Familiarize yourself with study abroad programs to make informed decisions in your later years of study
- Explore undergraduate research opportunities
- Consider enrolling in an experiential learning course
- Become a member of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA)
Create local and global connections
- Sign up for an AgBio Learning Community
- Visit the USask Community Centre to make connections and build community
- Get involved in your campus community through student groups, campus rec, and USask events
- Before you register in your first-year courses, sign up to be a part of a Learning Community
- Get to know your faculty and their research interests
- Consider joining the an AgBio Student Club to connect with other students, build your governance skills, and inform your student experience
Get career ready
- Meet with a career educator at Career Services to explore your career possibilities
- Take a career assessment to learn more about your strengths, personality, interests, and values
- Create your résumé and cover letter to take advantage of part-time and summer job opportunities
- Develop your LinkedIn profile to begin building your professional brand
- Become a student affiliate of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, the professional body for those individuals practicing agrology in Saskatchewan
Featured courses
- AGRC 113.3 Introduction to Agri Food Economics
- AREC 272.3 Introduction to Agricultural Economics
- AREC 315.3 Application of Microeconomic Theory to Agriculture
- AREC 342.3 Industrial Organization of Agricultural Markets
- AREC 492.3 Research Project and Technical Writing
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
AGRC 110.3 | Scientific Literacy and Communication for the Agricultural Sciences
AREC 261.3 | Agricultural Data Analytics I
AREC 262.3 | Agricultural Data Analytics II
AREC 272.3 | Introduction to Agricultural Economics
COMM 101.3 | Introduction to Business
ECON 211.3 | Intermediate Microeconomics
ECON 214.3 | Intermediate Macroeconomics
You choose
- One course (3 c.u.) from the English Language Writing requirement
- Two courses (6 c.u.) from mathematics related courses to fulfill your degree requirements
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
AREC 315.3 | Application of Microeconomic Theory to Agriculture
AREC 322.3 | Agricultural Finance
AREC 342.3 | Industrial Organization of Agricultural Markets
COMM 201.3 | Introduction to Financial Accounting
COMM 203.3 | Introduction to Finance
COMM 204.3 | Introduction to Marketing
ECON 304.3 | Introduction to Empirical Economics
You choose
- One course (3 c.u.) from a variety of history and philosophy courses
- One course (3 c.u.) from a variety of restricted elective courses to fulfill your degree requirements
- One course (3 c.u.) from open elective courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Check DegreeWorks and meet with an academic advisor to ensure your degree is on track
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
- Consider applying for the Honours program in Agricultural Economics
Add to your major
Choose from a variety of options to complement your major.
- Agribusiness Entrepreneurship (minor)
- Field Crop Production (minor)
- Precision Agriculture (certificate)
- Professional Communication (certificate)
- Sustainability (certificate)
Gain relevant experience
- Explore study abroad options or gain support as an international student through the International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC)
- Become a peer mentor through the, University Library, or Peer Health
- Sign up for a Student Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)
- Get involved in research by applying for a research assistantship
- Consider running for a leadership position with the an AgBio Student Club or the USask Students’ Union (USSU)
- Become a member of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA)
Create local and global connections
- Engage with your community through volunteering and Co-Curricular Record activities
- Meet with new people and grow your cultural understanding through Building Bridges and Global Connections
- Get to know your faculty and their research interests
- Consider joining the an AgBio Student Club to connect with other students, build your governance skills, and inform your student experience
Get career ready
- Conduct occupational research through Job Bank and LinkedIn
- Discover job opportunities, explore career options, and meet professionals at Career Services events and career fairs
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- Expand your professional network on LinkedIn
- Get a better understanding of your career possibilities through career informational interviews
- Become a student affiliate of the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, the professional body for those individuals practicing Agrology in Saskatchewan
- Attend Careers Day in September to connect with Ag/Bio employers
- Attend RBC Learn to Work, Work to Learn events
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nurturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Explore your major
Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.
The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.
AREC 492.3 | Research Project and Technical Writing
ECON 408.3 | Econometrics 1
You choose
- One course (3 c.u.) from open elective courses to fulfill your degree requirements
- Three courses (9 c.u.) from a variety of restricted elective courses to fulfill your degree requirements
- Four courses (12 c.u.) from a variety of AREC 400-level restricted elective courses to fulfill your degree requirements
Academic tips
- Check DegreeWorks and meet with an academic faculty advisor to ensure your degree is on track
- Apply for scholarships and bursaries
- Consider applying to a graduate program in Agricultural Economics
Consider applying to a graduate program
- Agricultural Economics (M.Sc., Ph.D.)
- Applied Economics (Ph.D.)
- Economics (M.A.)
Gain relevant experience
- Consider running for a leadership position with the Agricultural Student's Association (ASA) or the USask Students' Union (USSU)
- Become a member of the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association (CAMA)
Create local and global connections
- Join the USask Alumni and Friends community
- Get to know your faculty and their research interests
Get career ready
- Update your résumé, cover letter or CV to apply for jobs
- Meet with Career Services to prepare for your interview
- Explore experiential learning opportunities to gain relevant experience and skills
- If you are new to Canada, take time to learn about how to search for a job in Canada
- Graduates from the B.Sc. Agribusiness degree are eligible for Professional Agrologist (PAg) membership in the Saskatchewan Institute of Agrologists, allowing them to engage in the practice of Agrology
- Attend Careers Day in September to connect with Ag/Bio employers
- Attend RBC Learn to Work, Work to Learn events
- Consider applying to a graduate program in Agricultural Economics
USask Student Competencies
USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:
- Engaging in our intercultural society
- Nurturing successful relationships
- Leveraging technology
- Adaptive design and problem solving
- Communicating meaningfully
- Cultivating well-being
Possible destinations
People with a agricultural economics degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.
Career paths
- Account Executive
- Advertising and Promotion Manager
- Agricultural Economist
- Agriculture Policy Analysis
- Business Agronomist
- Business Management
- Business Management Consultant
- Credit Advisor
- Data Analyst
- District Director
- Intellectual Property
- International Development and Trade
- Market Analyst
- Market Development
- Marketing
- Marketing Manager
- Natural Resource and Environmental Economics
- Policy Advisor
- Price Analysis and Community Development
- Pricing and Products Director
- Product Solution Manager
- Regional Account Manager
- Sales and Consulting Manager
- Supply Analyst
- Territory Sales Representative
- Value Chain Specialist
The Agricultural Economics program provided me with the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics within the agricultural industry, from management practices on small family farms to global trade. The support of the faculty was incredible, helping me apply course theories to real-world scenarios. Completing this degree has laid a strong foundation for my career, leading to my current position as an agricultural lender.
—Nathen, Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (B.S.A.) in Agricultural Economics, '23
Where do USask alumni work?
- Ag Exchange Group
- Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
- BASF
- Bayer Crop Science
- Canadian Western Bank
- Cargill
- Cereals Canada
- Farm Credit Canada
- Federated Co-operatives Limited
- Government of Alberta
- Maple Leaf Foods Inc.
- National Bank of Canada
- Nutrien Ag Solutions
- Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture
- University of Saskatchewan
Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool
"I chose the Agricultural Economics B.S.A. program at the University of Saskatchewan because it aligned with my interests in agriculture, finance, business management, and the global markets that impact farmers daily. Reflecting on my undergraduate journey, the diverse range of courses and opportunities provided a strong foundation that helped me transition seamlessly into the Ag Econ M.Sc. program at USask. The education I have received over the past six years has not only prepared me to enter the workforce with confidence but has also equipped me with valuable knowledge to bring back to the family farm."
—Koal, B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics '23, second-year masters student in Agricultural Economics
"I initially planned a different major, but after taking an economics course at the University of Saskatchewan, I found agricultural economics more engaging. I enjoyed the diverse topics covered in my studies which helped me identify my areas of interest. Through my major, I’ve gained skills in data analysis, economic theories, and policy evaluation. With my undergraduate and graduate degrees in agricultural economics, along with agronomy courses, I’m confident in securing opportunities across various sectors, including consultancy, agricultural policy, and resource management."
—Aminata, B.S.A. in Agricultural Economics ’24, first-year masters student in Agricultural Economics