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Native Grassland Conversion: the Roles of Risk Intervention and Switching Costs

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  • Miao, Ruiqing
  • Hennessy, David A.
  • FENG, HONGLI

Abstract

We develop a real option model of the irreversible native grassland conversion decision. Upon plowing, native grassland can be followed by either a permanent cropping system or a system in which land is put under cropping (respectively, grazing) whenever crop prices are high (respectively, low). Switching costs are incurred upon alternating between cropping and grazing. The effects of risk intervention in the form of crop insurance subsidies are studied, as are the effects of cropping innovations that reduce switching costs. We calibrate the model by using cropping return data for South Central North Dakota over 1989-2012. Simulations show that a risk intervention that offsets 20% of a cropping return shortfall increases the sod-busting cost threshold, below which native sod will be busted, by 41% (or $43.7/acre). Omitting cropping return risk across time underestimates this sod-busting cost threshold by 23% (or $24.35/acre) and hence underestimates the native sod conversion caused by crop production.

Suggested Citation

  • Miao, Ruiqing & Hennessy, David A. & FENG, HONGLI, 2013. "Native Grassland Conversion: the Roles of Risk Intervention and Switching Costs," 2013 Annual Meeting, August 4-6, 2013, Washington, D.C. 149865, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea13:149865
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.149865
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    Cited by:

    1. Miao, Ruiqing & Khanna, Madhu, 2013. "Crop Insurance for Energy Grasses," 2013 AAEA: Crop Insurance and the Farm Bill Symposium 156936, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    2. Miao, Ruiqing & Khanna, Madhu, 2015. "Costs of Meeting the Cellulosic Biofuel Mandate with an Energy Crop with Establishment Cost and Yield Risk: Implications for Policy," 2015 Conference, August 9-14, 2015, Milan, Italy 212458, International Association of Agricultural Economists.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Land Economics/Use; Risk and Uncertainty;

    JEL classification:

    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • Q38 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Nonrenewable Resources and Conservation - - - Government Policy (includes OPEC Policy)
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies

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