AEC 305
Exam II – Fall 2007 (105 points)
Name ______________________________________________
1. Briefly indicate how each of the following events would affect the U.S supply for corn AND
whether it would be illustrated as a movement along a given supply curve for corn, a shift (in
which direction) in the supply curve for corn , or have no affect on the supply curve for
corn. Note: you do not need to draw any graphs to answer this question, just explain. (4 points
each)
a. A 10% increase in the expected price of corn because of an increased demand for
livestock feed overseas.
b. A 10% increase in the expected price of soybeans.
c. The development of a new variety of corn that increases yields by 10%.
d. A 10% increase in personal income
e. An increase in the price of fertilizer (an input to produce corn)
2. Define the term price elasticity of supply. Would you expect the short-run price elasticity of
supply for corn to be relatively small or large in the Midwest, where most of the U.S. corn
production is grown? Explain your answer. (5 points)
3. Assume the following equation represents the supply of wheat in a given region.
Q = 34 +2.5 PW – 40 PF
where: Q = million bushels of wheat
PW = price/bushel of wheat
PF = price/lb of fertilizer
Set up an expression (i.e., you do not need to solve) the price elasticity of wheat supply if the
price of wheat is $4.00/bushel and fertilizer is $0.10/lb. (5 points)
4. We read several articles in class this semester discussing the controversial issue of using an
increasing quantity of corn to produce fuel (ethanol and biodiesel). As an agricultural economist
you have been asked by the U.S. Congress to testify how this may affect agricultural consumers
and producers. What are the key points of your testimony? Be sure to discuss the potential
magnitude this may have on grain and livestock farmers and food prices. Is this the major reason
for changes in food prices or are there other factors having a greater impact on food prices. (10
points)
5. Fill in the blanks using some, but not necessarily all, of the following terms. Note: Some terms
may be used more than once (derived, primary, production, marketing, farm-level,
secondary, retail level). (4 points)
The demand for farm products (such as wheat) is “________________” from consumer demand
(for bread and bakery products) and thus is commonly referred to as the ___________ or farmlevel demand curve. This curve will change when one of the ______________ demand shifter
variables such as income, population, or tastes and preferences change or when ______________
costs change.
6. Which one of the following will NOT shift the primary demand curve for cranberries (3 points)?
a. an effective advertising campaign by the U.S. Cranberry Association
b. an increase in transportation costs
c. a research study indicating the health benefits of consuming cranberries
d. an increase in the introduction of new beverage products using cranberries
7. Farm level prices are determined by the intersection of (3 points)
a.
b.
c.
d.
derived demand and primary supply
primary demand and retail supply
derived supply and primary demand
derived demand and primary demand
8. Why is contracting increasing relative to other price discovery systems? (3 points)
a. More discriminating consumers who demand quality, uniformity and product information
b. Food safety issues/increased regulation
c. Enables firms to better control supply, quality, rapidly changing consumer demand and take
advantage of food marketing technologies and marketing efficiencies
d. All the above
9. In addition to evaluating the number of buyers and sellers, identify two other variables or
characteristics that an economist uses to evaluate an industry’s market structure. (4 points)
10. In class we discussed that agricultural producers are increasingly selling their commodities to
firms that possess imperfect market structure characteristics, while consumers are generally
buying food (groceries and meals) from firms that possess imperfect market structure
characteristics – both of which result in pricing and operational inefficiencies. (4 points each)
a. Briefly describe what is meant by the terms pricing and operational efficiency.
b. Briefly describe or illustrate graphically how price may be determined by a firm
competing in an imperfectly competitive marketing environment.
c. Identify a concern that food consumers may have for imperfectly competitive markets and
a concern that agricultural producers may have for this type of market structure.
d. As a CEO for one of these imperfectly competitive agribusinesses, provide two reasons
why this type of market structure may be beneficial to either agricultural producers or food
consumers instead of a consumers/producers participating in a perfectly competitive market.
11. Answer one of the following two questions. (4 points)
Farmers markets are becoming more popular as farmers are selling produce and other
food items directly to consumers. Typically farmers are able to sell their products at
these markets for a premium (i.e., higher price) than what they would receive from
selling their goods to a large agribusiness using some other price discovery method.
Provide two reasons why this price premium typically occurs.
Recall that price discrimination is the ability of a firm to sell the same product at
different prices in different locations. Identify the two market conditions that a food
exporter must have present for this marketing concept to benefit their company.
12. We discussed in class how agricultural contracting is increasing as a form of price discovery for
agricultural products.
a. As a livestock producer, identify two benefits and two concerns that you might have of this
type of price discovery for your commodity. (4 points)
b. As an economist, identify two benefits and two concerns that consumers might have about this
type of price discovery. (4 points)
c. As a marketing manager for a large agribusiness, provide an argument to your management
team of two potential benefits of moving to this type of price discovery system for your food
business. (2 points)
Read the following statements. Indicate if the statement is True or False. If the statement is False,
correct the statement to make it True. (3 points each)
13. True or False? The demand curve for an oligopolist is likely steeper (i.e.,less elastic) than the
demand curve for a firm in a monopolistic competition marketplace.
14. True or False? A decrease in food processing costs (a marketing input) will shift both the derived
supply and the derived demand to the right, causing the marketing margin to decrease, assuming a
competitive market.
15. True or False? A livestock auction that consists primarily of three buyers whose actions are
interdependent is a good example of an oligopoly.
16. True or False? A relatively high concentration ratio for the top four firms (CR4) would indicate that
it is fairly easy for a new firm to enter the industry.
17. True or False? Organic food companies are attempting to shift the primary demand curve for
organic food products to the right and make it more elastic which enables them to have more pricing
power.
18. True or False? A marketing contract is a formal agreement among buyers and sellers which specifies
required production practices, along with delivery and payment terms and where the contractor, not the
farmer retains ownership throughout the length of the contract.