Degree Name
Master of Science
Graduate Program
Agribusiness Economics
Advisor
Sanders, Dwight
Abstract
Corn is a vital commodity in both production and the trade market. Being one of the most abundant crops grown in the United States, it is crucial that we understand what factors of corn production are most important. Most of the research found up until now is mainly on how weather affects the average corn yields. Looking at the other factors, like biotech acres planted, row width, and plant population per acre, give the public and farmers the knowledge they need to make important decisions about what they consume or grow. Since there is such a big debate on whether or not biotech or genetically modified crops should be produced, it is a good thing to know if these traits have a significant effect on corn yield. This research, with variables other than just weather, is to show exactly just how much they affect the average bushels per acre.