FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES IN A WHOLE-FARM SETTING

Risk programming and simulation methods are used to analyze the opportunity to reduce whole-farm risk in a diversified cash crop farm through reduced leverage and/or adjustments in rental arrangements. These two financial strategies are shown to extend the ability of the farm operator to manage downside risk beyond the singular effects of a diversified farm plan. The analysis indicates that a trade-off occurs between these strategies, but that the reduction of debt has a greater impact on the distributions of net cash flow (before taxes) and outstanding term debt.