This volume investigates the state of agricultural research in the mid-1980s and the technological advancements aimed at improving food production and resource management. Edited by John J. Crowley, the yearbook compiles reports from the United States Department of Agriculture to document the shift toward modern scientific methodologies. It presents a framework for understanding how research initiatives were structured to address the challenges of the era, including soil conservation, crop efficiency, and livestock health.

Experts view this yearbook as a valuable primary source for documenting the specific scientific priorities of the USDA during the 1980s. Readers often note the technical density of the reports, which serve as a historical snapshot of mid-decade agricultural policy and innovation.