Farm real estate in the Midwest has increased in value at rates not seen since the 1970s. The combination of low interest rates, an increase in the domestic demand for corn for ethanol production, and higher world demand for grain in conjunction with lower stocks have all pushed grain prices...

This study analyzed a pilot insurance program for pastures, rangeland, and forage called Rainfall Index (RI-PRF). It is designed as a risk management tool to insure against declines in the accumulated rainfall index within a geographic grid. Although conceptually RI is an easy to understand risk...