Research in Agricultural Economics

The diversity of agriculture and agribusiness enterprises in Texas provides opportunities for a wide variety of research. We conduct impactful, relevant and innovative research at the intersection of agriculture and the environment, promoting long-term sustainability of social, ecological and food systems.

Our faculty experts receive approximately $2 million in private and federal grants each year to conduct multidisciplinary research, making them a gateway for science-based policy. Thanks to the dedicated work of our faculty to publish and disseminate their findings, our department is among the top five in the country in research output in our discipline.

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Areas of Research Expertise

We are a collaborative faculty with a wide scope of interests, bringing innovation and creativity to solving complex problems at the intersection of agriculture, economics, and agribusiness.

Food and Nutrition

Our researchers are working to bring affordable and healthy food to consumers to improve diet quality and nutrition of consumers through innovative agriculture. Our experts help produce solutions and strategies that empower growers, producers and traders to navigate their options and empower consumers to make decisions in a global economy.

Environmental Sustainability and Climate

Natural resources and environmental quality are critically important to the wellbeing of people and the economies. Our faculty are recognized world leaders working to promote long-term sustainable and identify solutions surrounding water management, climate change, fisheries economics, environmental policy, environmental risks, land use, and energy. They have a global network of industry partners, environmental organizations and policy makers.

Domestic and International Policy

Our researchers in this area identify and investigate emerging issues relating to agricultural, resource and food policy. These experts conduct unbiased and objective economic analyses of the impacts government policy and procedures have on producers, agribusinesses, taxpayers, and consumers. These economists are the gateway to science-based policy, responding to legislative requests from governing bodies, particularly the U.S. Congress’s Agriculture Committees.

Research and Extension Centers

Our centers conduct innovative research to contribute information relating to key agribusiness market issues.

Agribusiness, Food and Consumer Economics Research Center
Agricultural and Food Policy Center
Center for North American Studies
Center on Conflict and Development
Human Behavior Lab

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Agricultural Economics Research News

To label or not to label?

In their latest work, scientists in the Human Behavior Lab demonstrate how calorie distance in food choices creates temptation and reduces the benefit of disclosing a food calorie count to the consumer.

Economists contribute to multistate collaboration against disease devastating citrus.

A public-private collaboration across Texas, Florida, California and Indiana will draw on prior successes in research and innovation to advance new, environmentally-friendly and commercially-viable control strategies for citrus greening.