Spurred by record growth in agricultural export markets, the U.S. agricultural input manufacturing and distribution industries expanded in the 1970's. But export markets contracted sharply in the 1980''s as economic conditions in the U.S. farm sector reversed and overseas agricultural production strengthened. The pesticide, seed, fertilizer, and farm machinery industries have responded by reducing production, prices, capital expenditures, employment, and plant capacity; adjusting corporate structures; and expanding use of international markets. This report examines the agricultural input industries during the 1970’s expansion and the 1980's contraction and factors in the farm sector that influenced these trends.