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An Analysis Of The Risk Aversion Of Farm Operators: An Asset Portfolio Approach

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  • Lins, David A.
  • Gabriel, Stephen C.
  • Sonka, Steven T.

Abstract

The absolute and relative risk aversion characteristics of a large sample of farm operators were estimated from the observed portfolio responses to changes in wealth. Regression estimates suggest that farm operators display decreasing absolute risk aversion. Relative risk aversion varies by type of farm. However, the definition of risky assets has an important bearing on relative risk aversion characteristics. Non-wealth variables are also important in explaining the holding of risky assets by farm operators.

Suggested Citation

  • Lins, David A. & Gabriel, Stephen C. & Sonka, Steven T., 1981. "An Analysis Of The Risk Aversion Of Farm Operators: An Asset Portfolio Approach," Western Journal of Agricultural Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 6(01), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:wjagec:32078
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.32078
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    2. Love, Ross O. & Robison, Lindon J., 1984. "An Empirical Analysis Of The Intertemporal Stability Of Risk Preference," Southern Journal of Agricultural Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 16(01), pages 1-7, July.
    3. Havlik, Peter & Enjolras, Geoffroy & Boisson, Jean-Marie & Jacquet, Florence & Lherm, Michel & Veysset, Patrick, 2008. "Environmental good production in the optimum activities portfolio of a risk averse-farmer," Review of Agricultural and Environmental Studies - Revue d'Etudes en Agriculture et Environnement (RAEStud), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), vol. 86(01).
    4. Rejesus, Roderick M. & Nelson, Carl H., 2000. "Determinants Of The Value Of Site-Specific Information (Ssi) In Agriculture: A Unifying Theory To Analyze Its Relative Impacts," 2000 Annual meeting, July 30-August 2, Tampa, FL 21779, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    5. Agabriel, Jacques & Lherm, Michel & Mosnier, Claire & Reynaud, Arnaud & Thomas, Alban, 2009. "Estimating a Production Function under Production and Output Price Risks: An Application to Beef Cattle in France," TSE Working Papers 09-046, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE).
    6. Perry, Janet E. & Johnson, James D., 2000. "Influences Of Human Capital And Farm Characteristics On Farmers' Risk Attitudes," 2000 Producer Marketing and Risk Management Conference, January 13-14, Orlando, FL 19581, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    7. Just, David R., 2011. "Calibrating the wealth effects of decoupled payments: Does decreasing absolute risk aversion matter?," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 162(1), pages 25-34, May.
    8. McCarl, Bruce A. & Musser, Wesley N., 1985. "Modeling Long Run Risk In Production And Investment Decisions," Regional Research Projects > 1985: S-180 Annual Meeting, March 24-27, 1985, Charleston, South Carolina 271799, Regional Research Projects > S-180: An Economic Analysis of Risk Management Strategies for Agricultural Production Firms.
    9. Arriaza Balmón, Manuel & Gomez-Limon, Jose Antonio, 2003. "Modelling Farmers' Response To A Decoupled Subsidy Via Multi-Attribute Utility Theory And E-V Analysis," 2003 Annual Meeting, August 16-22, 2003, Durban, South Africa 25925, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    10. McCarl, Bruce A., 1984. "Model Validation: An Overview with some Emphasis on Risk Models," Review of Marketing and Agricultural Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 52(03), pages 1-21, December.
    11. Ifft, Jennifer & Wu, Shang & Kuethe, Todd, 2014. "The Impact of Pasture Insurance on Farmland Values," Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 43(3), pages 1-16, December.
    12. Gomez-Limon, Jose Antonio & Riesgo, Laura & Arriaza Balmón, Manuel, 2002. "Agricultural Risk Aversion Revisited: A Multicriteria Decision-Making Approach," 2002 International Congress, August 28-31, 2002, Zaragoza, Spain 24827, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    13. Gomez-Limon, Jose A. & Arriaza, Manuel & Riesgo, Laura, 2003. "An MCDM analysis of agricultural risk aversion," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 151(3), pages 569-585, December.
    14. Sharma, Sankalp & Bairagi, Subir K., 2021. "Role of Producer Risk-preferences on Debt Undertaking: Evidence from Nebraska," 2021 Annual Meeting, August 1-3, Austin, Texas 313998, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    15. Bardsley, Peter & Harris, Michael, 1987. "An Approach To The Econometric Estimation Of Attitudes To Risk In Agriculture," Australian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 31(2), pages 1-15, August.
    16. Escalante, Cesar L. & Barry, Peter J. & Park, Timothy A. & Demir, Ebru, 2004. "Farm-Level And Macroeconomic Determinants Of Farm Credit Migration Rates," 2004 Annual meeting, August 1-4, Denver, CO 20227, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    17. Escalante, Cesar L. & Park, Timothy A. & Barry, Peter J. & Demir, Ebru, 2002. "Determinants Of Farm Credit Migration Rates," 2002 Regional Committee NC-221, October 7-8, 2002, Denver, Colorado 132368, Regional Research Committee NC-1014: Agricultural and Rural Finance Markets in Transition.
    18. Messina, C. D. & Hansen, J. W. & Hall, A. J., 1999. "Land allocation conditioned on El Nino-Southern Oscillation phases in the Pampas of Argentina," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 60(3), pages 197-212, June.

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    Farm Management; Risk and Uncertainty;

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