Agricultural Economics Research Unit review, 1977-78

Abstract

The need for greater interaction between agricultural policy makers and economics researchers expressed in the 1975/76 Review has become even more apparent over the past two years. This need has been partly answered by the Agricultural Economics Research Unit (AERU) in its policy of assisting by way of contract research those groups involved in producing, processing, distributing, and marketing farm outputs and inputs, as well as government departments and organisations associated with agriculture and policies affecting agriculture. The principal objective of this second Review is to continue to present abstracts of agricultural economics and management research recently carried out at Lincoln College. It is hoped that the abstracts may be of value to decision makers associated with New Zealand agriculture by placing before them a reasonably comprehensive account of research completed or in progress. This review has two major parts. The first part is made up of an article by Frank Ward, until 1978 Director of The New Zealand Meat and Wool Boards' Economic Service. The article reviews growth in the New Zealand meat and livestock industries over recent years. The second part presents abstracts of research studies which have been recently completed or which are in progress in the AERU and the two associated teaching Departments at Lincoln College. Personnel in other Departments involved in research with clear economic and management implications have also contributed abstracts; all these contributions are gratefully acknowledged.