Although the second edition retains the same broad structure as the first, the text has been enlarged and expanded in several ways. First, the important topic of uncertainty, whose ramifications run throughout the book, is now treated in a new Chapter 16, which also includes an appendix on decision analysis. Secondly, long-term planning and development are dealt with more explicitly, both in terms of general planning principles (Chapter 13) and in relation to budgetary analysis (Chapter 14). Thirdly, sections have been added on focus-loss and MOTAD (Chapter 17), on allowing for seasonal variability in matrix construction (Chapter 18) and on systems simulation models (Chapter 21), as well as appendices on growth theory (Chapter 13), on the hand calculations and basic equations used in linear programming (Chapter 15) and on inflation accounting (Chapter 19). Fourthly, the list of selected reading at the end of the book has been divided by chapters. Lastly, the opportunity has been taken to metricate and update the figures and, in some instances, to substitute new examples.

The authors would like to thank all those who have made useful suggestions on how the book might be improved, and hope that, in following on from the first edition, it will continue to provide a basic text in many universities at home and overseas, and to serve the needs of many others whose interest lies within the field of farm planning.