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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://purl.umn.edu/23637

Title: STRATEGIC HEDGING FOR GRAIN PROCESSORS
Authors: Wilson, William W.
Wagner, Robert
Nganje, William E.
Authors (Email): Wilson, William W. (bwilson@ndsuext.nodak.edu)
Keywords: hedging
optimal hedge ratios
food processors
risk management
Issue Date: 2003
Series/Report no.: Agribusiness & Applied Economics Report No. 479
Abstract: Price risk management problems confronting grain processors differ somewhat from conventional motives for hedging. There are two components of this problem that are addressed in this study. One is the competitive characteristics of the processing sector, the structure and conduct of which ultimately determines the relationship between input and output prices. In some cases, these are highly correlated and in others they are not. The second refers to the hedge horizon, or, how far forward a firm should cover its inevitable short cash positions. This study incorporates these two components of hedging into a mean-variance framework to evaluate how they impact price risk management decisions for processors. A theoretical model is developed which is then solved numerically to illustrate the relationships between optimal hedge ratios, the correlation between input and output prices, and the hedge horizon. The model is applied to the case of the United States bread baking industry to further illustrate how these impact hedging in a particular industry.
URI: http://purl.umn.edu/23637
Institution/Association: North Dakota State University>Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics>Agribusiness & Applied Economics Report
Total Pages: 20
Language: English
Collections:Agribusiness & Applied Economics Report

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