The Analysis of Response in Crop and Livestock Production

 Content: Front Cover; The Analysis of Response in Crop and Livestock Production; Copyright Page; Dedication; Table of Contents; Preface to Third Edition; Chapter 1. Modelling Response Processes; 1.1 Philosophy; 1.2 Types of Models; 1.3 Persistent Problems in Modelling; 1.4 Further Reading; Chapter 2. Response Curves and Surfaces; 2.1 Notation; 2.2 Theory of Response; 2.3 Variable, Fixed and Unimportant Input Factors; 2.4 Single Variable Input; 2.5 Two Variable Inputs; 2.6 Numerical Example with Two Variable Inputs; 2.7 n Variable Inputs; 2.8 Further Reading; 2.9 Exercises. Chapter 3. Efficiency in Response3.1 Purposes of Response Analysis; 3.2 Best Operating Conditions; 3.3 Output Gains and Input Losses; 3.4 Single Variable Input; 3.5 Two Variable Inputs; 3.6 n Variable Inputs; 3.7 Multiple Response without Input Control; 3.8 Multiple Response with Input Control; 3.9 Constraints on the Objective Function; 3.10 Further Reading; 3.11 Exercises; Chapter 4. Duality of Response Relationships; 4.1 Introduction; 4.2 Duality; 4.3 Using Concepts of Duality; 4.4 Flexible Functional Forms; 4.5 Further Reading; 4.6 Exercises. Chapter 5. Estimation of Response in a World where Risk is Unimportant5.1 Introduction; 5.2 Experimental Design; 5.3 Statistical Estimation; 5.4 Choice of Response Model; Chapter 6. Response Efficiency over Time; 6.1 Introduction; 6.2 Time Influences on Response; 6.3 Time-Price Effects; 6.4 Time and the Objective Function; 6.5 Planning over Time; 6.6 Unconstrained Profit Maximization over Time; 6.7 Constrained Profit Maximization over Time; 6.8 Time Classification of Response Processes; 6.9 Examples of Time-dependent Response Analysis; 6.10 Further Reading; 6.11 Exercises. Chapter 7. Response Efficiency Under Risk7.1 Introduction; 7.2 Sources of Risk; 7.3 Risk and the Objective Function; 7.4 Best Operating Conditions under Risk; 7.5 Empirical Appraisal under Risk; 7.6 Stochastic Efficiency Analysis; 7.7 Further Reading; 7.8 Exercises; Chapter 8. Difficulties in Field Research; 8.1 Introduction; 8.2 Response Variability over Space and Time; 8.3 Farm versus Experimental Response; 8.4 Making Farm Recommendations; 8.5 Farming Systems Research; Chapter 9. Aggregate Response Analysis; 9.1 Introduction; 9.2 Production, Cost and Supply Functions. 9.3 Normative Estimation of Supply Response9.4 Positive Estimation of Supply Response; 9.5 Further Reading; 9.6 Exercises; Chapter 10. Economics of Response Research; 10.1 Introduction; 10.2 Aggregate Benefits of Research; 10.3 Distribution of Benefits; 10.4 Economics of Research on Response Processes; 10.5 Issues in Measurement; REFERENCES; AUTHOR INDEX; SUBJECT INDEX.
 Abstract:             The role of the agricultural scientist is to manipulate crop and livestock response phenomena so that they serve society's needs better, enabling countries to obtain full benefit from their agricultural resources. By producing food more efficiently, resources can be made available for non-agricultural development and other needs beyond the essentials of food and fibre. This text provides an introductory outline of the analytical principles involved in appraising the efficiency of crop-fertilizer and livestock-feed response. It provides students of both agricultural science and economics wit