This paper explores the potential use of quantitative genetics principles in evaluating economic returns to plant breeding research. Basic factors affecting genetic progress are described along with possibilities for quantifying them in relation to research expenditures. An example with soybeans...

The focus of this analysis is to measure, by use of production functions, the contribution to total output of not only the quantity of traditional inputs (land, labor, fertilizer, etc.), but also the quality of certain inputs, particularly irrigation; technology; environmental factors (soil...

This paper briefly reviews approaches that have been used to assess returns to U.S. agricultural research and explains the usefulness of benefit cost analysis in such evaluations. Benefit-cost analysis is applied to the Land Grant Universities federal budget requests for additional funds for...