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Technical Change in Corn Production in the United States, 1870–1960

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  • James O. Bray
  • Patricia Watkins

Abstract

While total U.S. corn production increased until 1920, there is evidence of serious soil fertility depletion up to about 1940. The introduction of hybrid seed in the early 1930's partially obscured the fertility problem. But the economic significance of its solution by mechanization of the nitrogen cycle was clearly of far greater moment than the discovery of hybridization. The price support program for corn appears to have accelerated the rate of adoption of these and other irreversible changes in technique in the 1950's. In consequence, the real cost of producing corn has been decreased. This interpretation of the facts casts doubt on the reliability as well as the meaning of empirical estimates of changes in "factor productivity" in corn production.

Suggested Citation

  • James O. Bray & Patricia Watkins, 1964. "Technical Change in Corn Production in the United States, 1870–1960," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 46(4), pages 751-765.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:ajagec:v:46:y:1964:i:4:p:751-765.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.2307/1236510
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    Cited by:

    1. Peterson, Willis & Hayami, Yujiro, 1977. "PART VII. Technical Change in Agriculture," AAEA Monographs, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, number 337219, january.

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