Incentives drive public vs. private agricultural research and development expenditure mix

Across a broad range of topics for agriculture, food, and related issues, research and development (R&D) conducted by U.S. public research institutions (State and Federal institutions) tends to emphasize different themes than R&D conducted by private firms. The two sectors have overlapping research interests in areas related to farm production?crop, animal, and farm machinery innovation. However, in areas where reaping benefits from research results is more difficult for private firms?such as in the environmental impacts of agriculture, and human nutrition/food safety?public sector research dominates.