Risk Reduction For Crop Protection
by: Pat Murphy
Insurance policies, in general, are directed against specific risks. Agriculture insurance is no exception. Whether you opt for farm bureau insurance, farm insurance, farm auto insurance, or horse insurance, there are risks you must be sure to protect your property against. It is likely that most farm insurance companies cover these risks but it could never hurt anybody to be sure and know how losses posed by these risks are determined and prevented.
In choosing farm bureau insurance, farm insurance, farm auto insurance, or horse insurance, keep in mind these risks and how to prevent them. Production risks are generally considered as risks stemming from weather conditions, pests, crop diseases, technology malfunction, genetics, and the kind of the seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers used. To prevent losses due to production risks, crop variation is recommended. This could mean planting different crops in one season or raising livestock and crops together. This is an expensive risk reducing method because this would require greater capital and investment. However, in the long run, greater savings can be had from opting for this risk prevention method. An economical method is to use technology to your advantage. Use genetically altered crop seeds for a bigger crop yield. In addition, this method controls the growth of weeds and improves the crops' resistance to pests and diseases. Pesticides and chemical fertilizers are to be used only as directed because they could strip your land off its nutrients. Crop insurance is also a good option though it is offered only at private insurance companies. Marketing risks are also to be thought of considering the increasingly competitive market. To develop an effective marketing plan, it is important to assess the demand and the supply of your crops. Research crop prices and price your crops competitively. This does not mean that you lower your price but to include production and transportation costs, and market price in placing value on your crops. An efficient marketing plan can ensure a consumer base for your crop, thereby reducing risks of crop rot and low income returns.
Traditionally, agriculture insurance is multi-peril, which means that it covers marketing and production risks. Multi-peril insurance basically involves compensation to the farmer for shortcomings like a lower yield than what the policy requires. In some cases, this spawned improper insurance use which led to unnecessary risk taking like planting crops in inappropriate locations. This increases the growers' risk of incurring losses. Farm bureau insurance, farm insurance, farm auto insurance, and crop insurance can save you from losses but no agency would offer you insurance if you are extremely high-risk. It is therefore important to undertake risk reduction methods such as those mentioned above to prevent losses in the future.
About The Author:
Pat Murphy
For more valuable information on farm bureau insurance and farm insurance, please visit http://www.farminsurances.com.
September 2006
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