Estimating economic gains for landowners due to time-dependent changes in biotechnology

This paper presents a model for examining the economic value of biotechnological research given time-dependent changes in biotechnology. Previous papers examined this issue assuming a time-neutral change in biotechnology. However, when analyzing the genetic improvements of increasing a tree's resistance to a pathogen, this assumption is untenable. We derive analytical expressions for the optimal rotation age given non-constant changes in biotechnology. Our model is then implemented using (1) growth and yield simulations, (2) optimal rotation calculations, and (3) survey data on genetic resistance of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) to fusiform rust. Non-parametric regression models are used to estimate the economic gain functions which, for the cases considered, averaged about 1% of forestland value per year.