Information deficiencies make selecting investments in R,D & E projects a difficult and uncertain task. Gardner (2004) likened the challenges and uncertainties of choosing the right mix of R,D&E projects to that of recruiting football players or breeding racehorses. In this paper approaches are examined to improving the odds of selecting, from a myriad of choices, more of the investments that are likely to deliver sound economic, social and environmental outcomes in primary industries. Pragmatism rules. The approaches proposed are a pragmatic way of evaluating R,D&E investment opportunities ex ante under the conditions where research opportunities are almost unlimited and budgets limited and falling.