Henry Agard Wallace, the Iowa Corn Yield Tests, and the Adoption of Hybrid Corn / Richard C. Sutch.

By:

Sutch, Richard C

Contributor(s):

National Bureau of Economic Research

Material type: Text

TextSeries: Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) ; no. w14141.Publication details: Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2008.Description: 1 online resource: illustrations (black and white)Subject(s):

N12 - U.S. • Canada: 1913&ndash

Online resources:

Available additional physical forms:

Hardcopy version available to institutional subscribers

Abstract: This research report makes the following claims:Abstract: 1] There was not an unambiguous economic advantage of hybrid corn over the open-pollinated varieties in 1936.Abstract: 2] The early adoption of hybrid corn before 1937 can be better explained by a sustained propaganda campaign conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the direction of the Secretary of Agriculture, Henry Agard Wallace. The Department's campaign echoed that of the commercial seed companies. The most prominent hybrid seed company, Pioneer Hi-Bred Company, was founded by Wallace and he retained a financial interest while serving as Secretary.Abstract: 3] The early adopters of hybrid seed were followed by later adopters as a consequence of the droughts of 1934 and especially 1936. The eventual improvement of yields as newer varieties were introduced explains the continuation and acceleration of the process.

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June 2008.

This research report makes the following claims:

1] There was not an unambiguous economic advantage of hybrid corn over the open-pollinated varieties in 1936.

2] The early adoption of hybrid corn before 1937 can be better explained by a sustained propaganda campaign conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at the direction of the Secretary of Agriculture, Henry Agard Wallace. The Department's campaign echoed that of the commercial seed companies. The most prominent hybrid seed company, Pioneer Hi-Bred Company, was founded by Wallace and he retained a financial interest while serving as Secretary.

3] The early adopters of hybrid seed were followed by later adopters as a consequence of the droughts of 1934 and especially 1936. The eventual improvement of yields as newer varieties were introduced explains the continuation and acceleration of the process.