Optimum Allocation of Resources for South Central Nebraska Irrigated and Non-Irrigated Farms

Authors

Gordon Cisney, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Document Type

Thesis

Date of this Version

7-1965

Citation

Thesis (M.S.)—University of Nebraska—Lincoln, 1965. Department of Agricultural Economics.

Comments

Copyright 1965, the author. Used by permission.

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study potential crop and livestock production in Nebraska, to determine the farmers’ probably response to change in feed grain and livestock prices, and to determine the effect of the level of intensity of irrigation on the returns to the farmer under the above-mentioned price changes.

This study deals with the optimal use of available resources from the viewpoint of profit maximization. This is a part of a North Central Regional study on supply response and production adjustments for hog and beef cattle which has as its general objective the construction of a research background for the appraisal of farm programs, and the provision of information needed by the individual farmer in making adjustments in his farming during the ensuing years.

The objectives of this present study are:

1. To inventory present resources of farm operators and the manner of utilization of these resources.

2. To ascertain the allocation of resources, which would give optimum return, on different individual farms under five different price combinations.

3. To determine the difference in allocation of resources and returns to the individual farms under varying intensity of irrigation.

4. To determine the effect of an increase in the labor supply on the allocation of resources for the large farms.

The counties included in the study are: Adams, Clay, Hamilton, Polk, Butler, York, Seward, Fillmore, Saline, Thayer, and Jefferson. The soils are well adapted to cultivation with about 65 percent of the area composed of Hastings and Crete soils.Longtime average precipitation ranges from 28 inches in the eastern part to 24 inches at the western edge. Corn, grain sorghum, and wheat are the major corps of the area. Approximately 97 percent of the total land is in farms, which are predominately cash grain and livestock.

Advisor: A. W. Epp