Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 April 2015
Conducting an outlook program appears to be simple. The aim of outlook is to accurately predict future economic conditions and to rapidly disseminate this information to producers, agribusiness firms and/or consumers, to help them make intelligent production, purchasing and marketing decisions. But those involved know that the appearance of simplicity in conducting an outlook effort is deceiving. Outlook work is frustrating—sometimes gratifying-just as often, humiliating.
The focus here is upon outlook programs in agricultural economics department of the land-grant universities. The role of USDA in outlook work is discussed only in the context of its support of state efforts.
The constructive comments of Larry Bauer, Ed Faris, Joe Havlicek, David Kenyon, and three reviewers for this Journal are gratefully acknowledged.