We analyze the effects of crop insurance and the Marketing Loan Program onoptimal nitrogen use and acreage allocation for a case cotton–sorghum farmin Texas. A mathematical programming model is used to solve for the optimalnitrogen fertilizer rate, crop acreage allocation, coverage level, and priceelection factor, along with participation in the crop insurance and theMarketing Loan Program for both crops. Results show that depending on thecrop and farmer risk aversion, these federal risk management programsincrease or decrease optimal fertilizer rates –6% to 3%, increase optimalcotton acreage 94% to 144%, and decrease sorghum acres up to 50%.
