A programming technique, utility-efficient programming, is developed for farm planning under risk. The objective function is the parametric sum of two parts of the utility function in which the degree of risk aversion varies systematically with the parameter. This technique has several...

The complexity of modelling risk in farming systems is explained and the artistic nature of the task noted. A brief outline is presented of an appropriate conceptual framework, drawing attention to the merits of stochastic efficiency criteria for analysis of systems when risk preferences of...

We argue for greater recognition of the risky nature of most policy decisions. In this context we discuss the gulf between public risk perceptions and attitudes and those of 'experts'. Public views of risk are often inconsistent and seemingly irrational. They nevertheless influence policy...

An assessment is presented of the costs and benefits of a scheme in the New England region of New South Wales for the control of footrot in sheep. An ex post evaluation is presented of the operation of the scheme since its inception in 1960 to the present, and also an ex ante appraisal is made...

Because relevant historical data for farms are inevitably sparse, most risk programming studies rely on few observations. We discuss how to use available information to derive an appropriate multivariate distribution function that can be sampled for a more complete representation of the possible...

The concept of stochastic dominance is described and its use is illustrated in relation to the evaluation of the output of a systems simulation model of lucerne haymaking in south-west Spain. Two alternative machinery systems are ranked for various lucerne areas using the criteria of stochastic...

Evaluating the risk of a particular decision depends on the risk aversion of the decision maker related to the underlying utility function. The objective of this paper is to use stochastic efficiency with respect to a function (SERF) to compare the ranking of risky alternatives using alternative...