Technological Change Embodied in Southern NSW and British Wheat Varieties

A comparison was made of increases in British and southern NSW wheat yields associated with genetic improvements. Estimates of these improvements were initially compared in each location using two different techniques. These techniques were a "variety improvement index" and a "vintage yield function". Yield increases "due to" genetic improvements were then compared between countries using both techniques. The variety improvement index technique suggested that there was little overall difference between genetic improvement in wheat in Britain and southern NSW. The vintage yield function technique suggested that the rate of yield increase for all varieties "due to" genetic improvement was markedly inferior in southern NSW. Estimated genetic improvement in southern NSW "food" wheats was similar to estimated genetic improvements in British bread wheats