The dairy herd buyout program : An impact analysis for the US feeder cattle industry

Dairy production decisions are considered to be determined outside the beef cattle industry. However, through its effects on non-fed cattle marketings, the Dairy Herd Buyout Program affects both feeder and slaughter cattle prices in the US feeder cattle industry. An impact analysis of a year-long buyout programme indicates relatively severe first-quarter price effects. However, by the second quarter price flexibilities show lessened relative price impacts, even though prices continue to decline in absolute terms. Within two years, reduced beef cattle numbers lead to higher prices than would have occurred without the buyout programme.     

The impact of agricultural research in Africa: aggregate and case study evidence

This paper presents case-study results and aggregate data to evaluate the impact of research in African agriculture. Of 32 case studies, all but eight report annual returns over 20% and many are far higher, with most gains arising in the late 1980s and 1990s. Spurred by policy reforms and changing incentives, these innovations have led to sustained growth in aggregate cereal crop yields since 1985. Africa's belated ‘green revolution’ is based on new varieties (often with early maturation for drought escape), complemented by new management techniques (typically labor-intensive efforts to conserve soil moisture and build soil fertility).