Agricultural Risk Analysis
Strengthening the Farm Safety Net Through Evidence-Based Policy.
We provide research-driven insights to strengthen agricultural risk management policies, ensuring U.S. farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to navigate uncertainty, protect their livelihoods, and sustain rural economies.
Strengthening Risk Management to Secure the Future of U.S. Agriculture
Farmers and ranchers face constant uncertainty, from extreme weather to market volatility, putting farm operations and livelihoods at risk. Effective risk management programs provide critical support, helping producers recover from setbacks and maintain financial stability. Through research and policy analysis, we work to strengthen the farm safety net, ensuring farmers and ranchers have the resources they need to sustain their operations and secure the nation’s food supply.
We analyze and improve agricultural risk management policies, providing insights that shape smarter, more effective federal programs. Through data-driven research and policy evaluation, we identify gaps, recommend enhancements, and ensure these programs evolve to meet the needs of today’s agricultural producers. By making risk management tools stronger, more accessible, and better aligned with the realities of modern agriculture, we help farmers and ranchers safeguard their operations, maintain financial stability, and plan for the future with confidence.
How Our Work Strengthens Agricultural Risk Management
Crop Insurance – The Federal Crop Insurance Program is the backbone of farm risk management. We study how well it serves farmers, identify gaps in coverage, and recommend ways to make it more affordable, accessible, and responsive to different types of agricultural operations.
Disaster Assistance – When natural disasters strike, farmers need relief quickly. We evaluate disaster assistance programs like the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and Livestock Forage Disaster Program to ensure they provide timely and effective support.
Income Protection – Programs like Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage help stabilize farm income when commodity prices drop or when yields are lower than expected. Our research ensures these programs remain relevant and financially sustainable.
Livestock & Dairy Risk Management – Livestock and dairy producers face unique challenges, from fluctuating feed costs to disease outbreaks. We assess risk management tools such as Dairy Margin Coverage and Livestock Risk Protection to enhance their effectiveness and ensure producers have access to reliable financial safeguards.
Policy & Program Improvements – We use economic analysis and real-world data to recommend improvements that make risk management programs more effective, user-friendly, and financially sound. Our work helps Congress and USDA understand how these programs function in practice and how they can be strengthened to serve farmers better.
Provide Effective Risk Protection – Strengthening policies so they offer meaningful financial security against unexpected losses.
Improve Responsiveness – Ensuring that risk management tools deliver timely and reliable support when disruptions occur.
Enhance Program Efficiency – Identifying ways to reduce complexity and administrative burdens while maintaining strong protections.
Support Market Stability – Helping create policies that protect producers from volatility without distorting agricultural markets.
Strengthen American Agriculture – Ensuring that risk management policies contribute to a competitive and productive farm economy.
Why This Work Matters
We equip policymakers and industry leaders with the research and analysis needed to enhance agricultural risk management programs. Our work informs policy discussions, supports legislative decision-making, and drives improvements to programs that safeguard farmers and ranchers from financial uncertainty.
Through in-depth evaluations, we identify what works and where adjustments are needed, ensuring that U.S. risk management tools remain effective and responsive to the realities of modern agriculture. Whether strengthening crop insurance, streamlining disaster assistance, or refining income protection policies, our research directly contributes to a more stable, efficient, and forward-looking agricultural safety net.