Ag economics for 50: Taking the big quiz

Two teams of three agricultural economics students intently watch a screen that resembles the Jeopardy television game show. One chooses a category and point level, and a question appears on the screen. A contestant hits the buzzer, and the judges compare her answer with the correct response visible on their own screen.

These agricultural economics students are participating in Quiz Bowl, played over two days at the annual meeting of the American Agricultural Economics Association. About three dozen teams from campuses across the United States and Canada travel to the national meetings for this highly competitive event as well as for the opportunity to attend sessions and look for jobs.

UI agricultural economist Larry Makus is in charge of Quiz Bowl at this yearÕs annual meeting in Tampa, Florida. The UI has sent at least one team of three students each of the past five years and has placed consistently in the top half of the double-elimination tourney.

So demanding is Quiz Bowl that team members take a one-credit class to prepare for this competition. "Students feel the class helps them learn material in their other classes, and it is particularly helpful for developing the quick response needed for exams," according to course instructor John Foltz, a UI agricultural economist.

Now go ahead and test your own grasp of agricultural economics.

-Kate Painter

Answers: A. 60 pounds, B. A vertical line, C. Eurodollar, D. Free rider, E. 640, F. 1930, G. Dumping

Illustration by Melissa Rockwood