Agricultural-Food Policy Review: Commodity Program Perspectives

by Alden C. Manchester, James Langley, and Barbara Stucker

This review prepared for 1985 farm legislation provides an historical overview of U.S. farm policies, an evaluation of the performance of current commodity programs, a description of the general economic setting in which the legislation will operate, and a discussion of possible alternative policy tools and concepts. Particular focus is given to the purpose of commodity programs and an economic assessment of their performance.

Keywords: 1981 Farm Act, 1985 Farm Act, commodity programs, farm policy

In this publication...

• Entire Report
• Frontmatter (Preface, Acknowledgements, and Contents)
• Introduction
• Historical Overview of U.S. Agricultural Policies and Programs
• U.S. Agriculture and the Macroeconomy
• Profile of the U.S. Farm Sector
• The Implications of Emerging Technologies for Farm Programs
• World Agricultural Markets and U.S. Farm Policy
• The U.S. Competitive Position in World Commodity Trade
• Commodity Price and Income Support Policies in Perspective
• Effectiveness of Acreage Reduction Programs
• Agricultural Export Programs and U.S. Agricultural Policy
• Resource Conservation Programs in the Farm Policy Arena
• Alternative Tools and Concepts
• Toward a Broader Agenda
• Glossary of Agricultural Policy Terms