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Farmer responses to changing risk aversion, enterprise variability and resource endowments

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  • Komarek, Adam M.
  • MacAulay, T. Gordon

Abstract

The focus of this article is on assessing how risk aversion, enterprise variability and resource endowments affect farm land-use decisions and economic returns. A theoretical model of a two-enterprise, two-constraint farm is developed, and then, an empirical illustration for an Australian farm is provided. The methodology used builds on previous expected mean-variance (EV) models by incorporating land and budget constraints. The Kuhn–Tucker conditions of the EV model are examined to highlight that changes in resource endowments have larger effects on economic returns, than do changes in risk aversion or enterprise gross margin variability. It was also found that combinations of enterprise mixes that do not use all available resources can produce higher economic returns, relative to some enterprise mixes that use all available resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Komarek, Adam M. & MacAulay, T. Gordon, 2013. "Farmer responses to changing risk aversion, enterprise variability and resource endowments," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 57(3).
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:aareaj:245954
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.245954
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    Cited by:

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    2. Buchholz, Matthias & Musshoff, Oliver, 2014. "The role of weather derivatives and portfolio effects in agricultural water management," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 34-44.
    3. Tamini, L.D. & Doyon, M. & Zan, M.M., 2014. "Investment Behavior of Canadian Egg Producers: Analyzing the Impacts of Risk Aversion and Variability of Prices and Costs of Production," Working Papers 163032, University of Laval, Center for Research on the Economics of the Environment, Agri-food, Transports and Energy (CREATE).

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