Hilary Donlon Davis

Hilary Donlon Davis
  • Masters Student
  • University of Idaho
  • Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology

Advisor: 

Kate Painter

Thesis or Dissertation Citation: 

Davis, H. 2014. An economic analysis of a longitudinal survey of wheat growers in the inland Pacific Northwest. University of Idaho MS Thesis, pp. 1-80.

Research Focus: 

Longitudinal survey of wheat growers in the inland PNW

Research Abstract: 

Thesis (M.S., Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology (Applied Economics)) -- University of Idaho, December 2014 | Current information on farm production practices are lacking for dryland cropping systems of the Pacific Northwest. The objectives of this project were to collect baseline wheat production data and assess economic differences among three agroecological classes (AECs). Wheat production data were collected annually for three years (2011-2013) using a longitudinal survey of dryland wheat growers. Collected data were used to develop AEC representative farm enterprise budgets. Economic differences among AECs were evaluated using pairwise statistical tests. Results from observed data showed the grain-fallow AEC winter wheat return of $37 per acre was statistically different from returns in the annual and transition AECs of $170 and $73 per acre, respectively. Winter wheat production in the annual AEC was the most profitable, the transition AEC followed, while the grain-fallow AEC was the least profitable. In conclusion, the longitudinal survey was successful for developing current, baseline production data and for determining significant economic differences among AECs.

Biography: 

Hilary was raised on a typical Iowa farm growing corn, soybeans, and hogs. She attended Iowa State University from 2007-2011 and graduated with a BS in Agricultural Business and Economics. After moving to Idaho she started her MS degree in the Fall of 2012.