| Abstract: |
Since the turn of the century, public policy has significantly influenced the production activities of agricultural commodities. Policies designed to support prices, stabilize incomes, and reduce risk tend to stimulate, the production of the commodities receiving these benefits. Commodities receiving government program benefits compete for a limited agricultural land base with all other, non-supported uses. Grasslands, pasture and other non-supported land uses are indirectly affected by policies which consistently favor specific commodities. The lack of public policies for the specific purpose of increasing or maintaining the value of grasslands has contributed further to the reduction in grassland acreage in favor of the more frequently supported commodities. |
