SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS JULY, 1982 DISCUSSION: RESEARCH AND EXTENSION ISSUES IN PRODUCTION ECONOMICS

The authors share their excitement that "we Clearly, records require more service than the are in center stage and people are listening. " first option: the professionally intriguing ques-Their excitement stems from seeing immediate tion is, Which route makes for more teachable applications of research, of software packages, moments? The authors do not specify whether or of decision-making tips extended in meetings. they believe specialization in decision aids would They, and I, would convey a sense of urgency be healthy, or if, practically speaking, it is even that, in these uncertain times, agricultural econ- possible, once producers know that someone at omists magnify efforts to help our clientele im- the university could develop the packages they prove their decision-making ability. As want. Such a discussion would have been wel-Lacewell-McGrann put it: Nowadays, "the im- come. pact of an error in judgment... is often swift. " "Application of the computer will increase the They are enthusiastic about the expanded de- demand for economics education, " the authors mand for production economics expertise and argue, and surely they are right. Think of it-an project it to continue. The burgeoning demand audience out there that can retrieve or assemble was brought on by the instability of the times: information, analyze it, and project marketing