World food analysis : grain supply and export capacity of American agriculture under various production and consumption alternatives

The food crisis has raised questions about the crop exporting capacities of the U.S. Dietary adjustments in any of the following would make it possible to increase U.S. grain exports by l980: (l) consumption level of meat, (2) substitution of soy protein for animal protein, (3) substitution of silage for feed grain and, (4) allocating crop production among regions in an optimal way comparative advantage method. These are examined and quantitative estimates are made. Potential prices and production for American farm commodities are examined, and estimates are made which assume that consumption patterns of the American public will shift in response to higher meat prices caused by higher livestock feed prices. This analysis indicates that U.S. agriculture has great capacity and flexibility in grain and food production. If the world"s food situation is to improve, however, there must be policies and institutions which will guarantee U.S. farmers prices that cover production costs and give market level returns to their resources.