The extent to which losses in agriculture can be prevented through 
the utilization of known technical information has not been examined 
in a comprehensive manner. However, certain specific hazards have been 
analyzed. 
Losses from diseases of cotton could be reduced by about 75 percent 
with complete and adequate seed treatment, full use of known and adapted 
resistant varieties, proper application of soil-deficient elements, and 
proper practices for control of soil=-borne organisms, It is estimated 
that losses from apple diseases could be reduced one-half (from 6 percent 
to 3 percent) if all producers would use recommended control procedures, 
and if weather permitted their efficient use. If all growers made the 
fullest possible use of all the measures now recommended for control of 
potato diseases, it is estimated that the present losses might be re- 
duced about 50 percent. By use of appropriate control methods for 
diseases of wheat, the losses could be reduced an estimated 23 
percent. With tobacco a slightly greater saving, 29 percent, is 
estimated to be possible by proper disease prevention. 
About one-third of the losses in weight gains of animals and milk 
production could be averted by the intelligent use of modern insecticides, 
The application of known control measures, namely, chemoprophylaxia and 
sanitation, could reduce the loss caused by coccidiosis of chickens and 
turkeys about 90 percent. Procedures developed by research, when 
properly applied in the field, make it possible completely to eradicate 
brucellosis in cattle, swine, and goats. 
Benefits of Improved Technology 
Considered historically, research to find ways of making losses in 
agriculture physically and economically preventable and educational work 
to get them adopted have made great contributions to the welfare of 
farmers and the public generally. If it were not for research discoveries 
and their application to farming, the cost of producing farm and forest 
products now would be much higher, the output would be less, and levels 
of consumption might be lower. 
Looking ahead, national requirements for agricultural products to provide 
for a growing population and improved levels of living may be expected to 
increase greatly. Projections of population growth made by the U. S. 
Bureau of the Census indicate that total population is likely to increase 
10 percent by 1960 and nearly one-third by 1975. If large additional re- 
quirements for farm and forest products are to be met at prices to con= 
sumers that will allow continued improvement in levels of diet, it will 
be necessary to find ways of expanding output without higher costs of 
production. 
Further progress in finding ways of preventing losses, as in the past, 
will have two desirable economic effec*s = (1) increased total production 
of farm and forest products and (2) reduced costs of their production. 
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