ABSTRACT
In the last several decades, agriculture in the United States has been the most productive farming industry in the world (Lu, 1982). Demands for increases in agricultural productivi ty are expected to continue due to an increasing U.S. population and greater international distribution of U.S. agricul tural products. However, valid questions can be raised as to whether or not U.S. agriculture can meet the increasing demands. Current problems and indicators of longer-term concerns relative to agricultural productivi ty include (Lu, 1982): (1) recent declining rates of growth of U.S. agriculture product ivi ty; (2) shortages of energy, water, and soil resources; and (3) increasing concerns about deterioration of environmental quality due to pesticide and fer t i l izer usage and soil erosion. Addit ional constraints on the U.S. agricultural system include urban sprawl and loss of prime farmland, increasing prices for energy and water, and expanding environmental legislation and regulations.
