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On the Distribution of Crop Yields: Does the Central Limit Theorem Apply?

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  • Phoebe Koundouri
  • Nikolaos Kourogenis

Abstract

In this article, we investigate the applicability of the central limit theorem (CLT) to aggregate crop yields. We argue that the aggregation of elementary crop yields is likely to produce nonnormal distributions if, contrary to the standard CLT case, the number of crop acres exhibits substantial time variation. This case is covered by limit theorems for random sums of random variables, which predict nonnormal limiting distributions. The case of substantial variation in the number of summands produces an empirical hypothesis that we test using data from U.S. aggregate state crop yields. The results provide empirical support against the applicability of the CLT. Copyright 2011, Oxford University Press.

Suggested Citation

  • Phoebe Koundouri & Nikolaos Kourogenis, 2011. "On the Distribution of Crop Yields: Does the Central Limit Theorem Apply?," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 93(5), pages 1341-1357.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:ajagec:v:93:y:2011:i:5:p:1341-1357
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/ajae/aar055
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    Cited by:

    1. Gerlt, Scott & Westhoff, Patrick, 2013. "Analysis of the Supplemental Coverage Option," 2013 AAEA: Crop Insurance and the Farm Bill Symposium 156704, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    2. Phoebe Koundouri & Nikolaos Kourogenis & Nikitas Pittis, 2016. "Statistical Modeling Of Stock Returns: Explanatory Or Descriptive? A Historical Survey With Some Methodological Reflections," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 149-164, February.
    3. Liu, Y. & Ker, A., 2018. "Is There Too Much History in Historical Yield Data," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277293, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    4. Wyatt Thompson & Joe Dewbre & Patrick Westfhoff & Kateryna Schroeder & Simone Pieralli & Ignacio Perez Dominguez, 2017. "Introducing medium-and long-term productivity responses in Aglink-Cosimo," JRC Research Reports JRC105738, Joint Research Centre.
    5. Gerlt, Scott & Thompson, Wyatt & Miller, Douglas, 2014. "Exploiting the Relationship between Farm-Level Yields and County-Level Yields for Applied Analysis," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 39(2), pages 1-18.
    6. Xiaodong Du & David A. Hennessy & Cindy L. Yu, 2012. "Testing Day's Conjecture that More Nitrogen Decreases Crop Yield Skewness," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 94(1), pages 225-237.
    7. Gerlt, Scott & Westhoff, Patrick, 2014. "Comparison of County ARC and SCO," 2014 AAEA: Crop Insurance and the 2014 Farm Bill Symposium: Implementing Change in U.S. Agricultural Policy, October 8-9, 2014, Louisville, KY 184289, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    8. Koundouri, Phoebe & Kourogenis, Nikolaos & Pittis, Nikitas, 2012. "Statistical Modeling of Stock Returns: A Historical Survey with Some Methodological Reflections," MPRA Paper 122422, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    9. Phoebe Koundouri & Nikolaos Kourogenis & Nikitas Pittis, "undated". "Statistical Modeling of Stock Returns: Explanatory or Descriptive? A Historical Survey with Some Methodological Reflections," DEOS Working Papers 1331, Athens University of Economics and Business.
    10. Phoebe Koundouri & Nikolaos Kourogenis & Nikitas Pittis, "undated". "Statistical Modeling of Stock Returns: A Historical Survey with Methodological Reflections," DEOS Working Papers 1226, Athens University of Economics and Business.
    11. Christopher N. Boyer & B. Wade Brorsen & Emmanuel Tumusiime, 2015. "Modeling skewness with the linear stochastic plateau model to determine optimal nitrogen rates," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 46(1), pages 1-10, January.

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