The projects in Goal III are concentrated in two 

 major areas, as shown in Table 3. Over 67% of all 

 expenditures for research in Goal III are in these two 

 areas. Research in these two main areas is for: 

 (1) the improvement of biological efficiency in the 

 production of field crops; and (2) the improvement of 

 biological efficiency in the production of livestock, 

 poultry, and other animals. 



Based upon the CRIS research classification system, 

 this type of research seems to emphasize increased 

 yields to meet foreign and domestic needs. Moreover, 

 this research does not have the reduction of total costs 

 as its purpose. Rather, this research is defined as 

 research to decrease cost per unit of production, with 

 the primary objective of providing adequate supply of 

 farm products to allow the expansion of exports and 

 increased consumption. 



A decrease in the average per unit costs of 

 production is not the same as a reduction in the total 

 costs of an operation at minimal input levels. The 

 distinction is both important and fundamental. Research 

 to reduce average per unit costs generally seeks 

 attainment of greater productive efficiency that is 

 achieved through application of greater inputs, the use 

 of more machinery, and the employment of expensive 

 production methods. Per unit costs may be lower; 

 however, total overall costs may be higher. Further 

 scrutiny of research under Goal III may be justified. 



Concern about the direction of agricultural 

 research also extends to the Montana Cooperative 

 Extension Service, which is the university's research 

 outreach program. In addition, however, there seem to 



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