Customer Reviews

Agricultural and Food Policy (6th Edition)

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It's a shame that these respected Agricultural Economists would allow such a poor example of a textbook to be published under their names. While there may be some meagre updates, the book is so watered down that it is probably more appropriate to a high school class than college. In addition, at 54 cents a page, its price far exceeds the price of most other quality books dealing with agriculture. A decent faculty member would never, in good conscience, require that students purchase this book.

The 4th edition of this text was a truly outstanding edition. It fit the needs of a wider vairety of courses ranging from the traditional Ag Policy course to courses focusing on the environment and rual development. Unfotunately, this is 5th edtion. If the reader wants a "CLiff-Notes" version then this is the text. It lacks the depth and breadth of a decent college textbook. The authors would have served the academic community much better by giving this watered down fifth edition a totally new title while leaving the 4th edition in print.

I have taught Agricultural Policy for a number of years. Count me out on adopting this edition.

I used earlier editions of this book extensively to teach senior level agricultural policy. I stopped assigning the book when the 5th edition was published. Most graphical economic analysis had been removed from the book. It supposedly was now geared toward "policy makers" rather than university students. If you want a decent textbook, go for the older editions and update the data as needed.