A Pattern for Regional Adjustment

Since a land-retirement type of program on a regional basis is among the possibilities for overcoming surplus farm output, an analysis has helped to determine an approximation of how such a program might work

Adjust Farm Production by Regions?

Nationwide, across-the-board production control could solve our immediate farm surplus problem. But it may not achieve or encourage the more stable, permanent and economic types of adjustments necessary for the longer run

Regional changes in grain production

The study reported in this bulletin is the second in a series dealing with the apparent over-capacity of agriculture and the relative competitive advantages of different producing regions of the United States. Like the previous study, analysis is restricted to wheat and feed grains. Initial research was reported in United States Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin No 1241(.1)· Interpretation and summary of this initial study, especially to provide background information for the research reported in this bulletin, is given in a following section.https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/card_reports/1015/thumbnail.jp

Analysis of the efficiencies of alternative farm leasing arrangements (An application of linear programming)

Approximately half of Iowa\u27s farms are operated under some form of leasing arrangement. The terms of these leasing arrangements play a vital role in determining how resources are allocated on these farms. Imperfections in leasing systems may reduce returns to landlords and tenants and restrict the total amount of product available to society. Under many leases in use, the farm plan which maximizes returns to the landlord\u27s resources may not be the optimum farm plan from the tenant\u27s standpoint, and vice versa. While the conditions of resource efficiency are not attained on many owner-operated farms, the leasing arrangement, ideally, should not contribute further to inefficiences in resource use. Within an owner-operated farm, then, an optimum allocation of the owner\u27s resources is reached when these resources are organized in a manner to maximize his profits. The problem is more difficult on rented farms, however, because specialized resources are separately furnished by the landlord and tenant. Resource efficiency on rented farms is achieved only when the combined resources of the landlord and tenant are organized into a farm plan which maximizes profits to their combined resources. An efficient lease should permit and encourage the adoption of this single farm plan by the landlord and tenant. In other words, an efficient lease is one which allows the same farm plan to be most profitable for both the landlord and the tenant; this plan should also be the one which is optimum for the farm as a whole, without regard to resource ownership. In any case where the lease leads to a plan which is most profitable for one party but not for the other, imperfections exist in the lease

Retire Our Excess Grain Capacity?

Now, more than ever, agriculture can outproduce market demand. It looks as though some things will stay this way for some time. Agriculture is faced with a problem of output management or supply control, just as are some nonfarm industries. (See Output Management for Agriculture? in the April issue or reprint FS-910.

A Single Matrix Method for Several Problems

Matrix algebra has become a familiar research tool in recent years, but the teaching and learning problem is still formidable for many individuals. The purpose of this paper is to present a simple generalpurpose method of handling matrices for solving simultaneous equations, including those involved in regression and linear programming problems. High-speed computers and different methods are now used in most practical analysis in this field, but teaching must rely on manual approaches to illustrate the mathematical principles. The method presented here is believed to shorten learning time .and reduce the memory burden. In short, this is an introduction to matrix algebra in one easy lesson. The author wishes to thank Rex Daly and Martin Abel for suggestions that have helped to improve this article

Efficient Regional Allocation of Farm Products and Programmed Supply Prices

Information on efficient regional patterns of agricultural production can be useful in devising policies for adjustments in farming that are consistent with modern conditions and concepts of economic development. Such knowledge can also indicate the amount and location of land to be withdrawn from production if surpluses and related treasury costs are to be reduced. If long-run solutions to the "farm problem" are to be attained, the Nation needs data indicating the number and location of crop acreages and outputs under a variety of situations. This information can be made available only by analysis of relationships among regions. In this paper the writers discuss the application of relatively simple linear programming models to the specification of efficiein interregional allocation of agricultural production. A more detailed discussion appeared in a recent report of cooperative research with Iowa, U.S. Department of Agriculture Technical Bulletin 1294, Regional Analysis of Production Adjustments in the Major Field Crops: Historical and Prospective (November 1963)