A method for predicting a trait of interest in an agricultural sample comprises (a) obtaining a set of input data from: (i) at least one agronomic property; and (ii) at least one of a chemical property and physical property; (b) inputting the data into a processor containing at least one algorithm wherein the processor performs correlations of the input data with the trait of interest; and (c) outputting a predicted efficacy for the trait of interest. A computer-aided system comprises: (a) a computer readable medium including computer-executable instructions configured for estimating a trait of interest in an agricultural sample; (b) input data from: (i) at least one agronomic property; and (ii) at least one of a chemical property and physical property; and (c) an algorithm capable of correlating the data with the trait of interest; wherein the system outputs a predicted efficacy for the trait of interest. The trait of interest can include ethanol yield and/or digestibility.