Farm Conservation in the United States: Investment and Capital Values 1935-80

摘要

From 1935 through 1980, cumulative conservation investments in the agricultural sector of the U.S. economy were $19.1 billion, in historical dollars. When 'deflated' to a 1977 base the 'real' total investment from 1935 through 1980 came to $43.0 billion. The corresponding real 'goal capital stock' in 1980 was $20.7 billion. It measures the real full cost of conservation improvements still in service. The net or partially depreciated value of conservation capital was $13.2 billion in 1980. Compared with other farm business assets, the $13.2 billion net capital value of conservation improvements in 1980 amounted to about 3.7 percent of the net value of all land in farms.