LSU AgCenter economists equip producers with tools, insights

LSU AgCenter economists offer a wide assortment of information to help agricultural producers navigate market trends, policy changes and other economic forces.

Through spreadsheets, reports, newsletters, workshops and other avenues, economists Michael Deliberto and Naveen Adusumilli are a resource for farmers as they face decisions that affect their bottom lines. Some highlights of their work include:

Interactive enterprise budgets. These budgets are released annually to help with planning for the upcoming crop year. “They allow producers to tailor the anticipated cost and returns to reflect their farming operation,” Deliberto said. “In addition to providing detailed estimates on the variable and fixed cost of production, break-even analysis is conducted over a range of price and yields.”

Farm financial benchmarking tool. These spreadsheets allow users to compare historical crop prices, yields, production costs, cost per unit and return on investment for the most recent five-year period. Deliberto developed the tool in response to rising energy costs and supply chain disruptions so producers can better evaluate costs and returns of soybean and feed grain crops.

Risk management tools. Several of these tools are released each year. One is a projection tool that can assist farmers in deciding whether to enroll in either Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage, which are federally backed crop insurance programs. The choice between the two boils down to a producer’s risk tolerance, Deliberto said. “The focus of this research is to analyze alternative price and yield combinations that illustrate the mechanics and effectiveness of price and revenue protection available,” he said. He holds workshops to provide additional information.


Two men sitting in an office with a computer in front of them, looking at each other and having a conversation.

LSU AgCenter economics Michael Deliberto, left, and Naveen Adusumilli look over a graph regarding U.S. corn production. Photo by Olivia McClure


Social media. Adusumilli has found success in using the social platform X, formerly Twitter, to share important policy information with stakeholders. “The Louisiana Ag Policy (@LA_AgPolicy) page runs under my direct supervision and has a very active engagement,” he said.

Student projects. Adusumilli has hired students to expand his research scope. Students are undertaking projects evaluating how conservation funding can help reduce inefficiencies in the production of soybeans and other crops. “These projects have led to bigger opportunities for contribution to the upcoming farm bill discussions through report writing for farmer advocacy groups at the national level,” he said.

Newsletters. Adusumilli and Deliberto both use newsletters to communicate with clientele. Adusumilli’s “Conservation and Commodity Updates” publication has a reader base of more than 500. Deliberto writes a widely read monthly market report that summarizes domestic and international factors affecting commodity prices. He also puts together a quarterly newsletter that informs producers and other stakeholders on policy-related issues such as trade, labor and programs conservation.

Newsletters, decision-making tools and other information from the economists can be accessed at www.LSUAgCenter.com/agecon.

9/23/2024 7:00:01 PM
Rate This Article:

Have a question or comment about the information on this page?

Innovate . Educate . Improve Lives

The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture

Top