Government payments may hinder farmers' risk management strategies, impacting farm welfare.
Farmers in Germany face risks from fluctuating prices and yields. A model was created to show how farmers make decisions to manage these risks. The study looked at how government payments affect farmers' use of risk management tools. The results suggest that government payments can discourage farmers from using other risk management strategies, which can impact their income and well-being. The best policy depends on whether the government wants to reduce risk or support farmers' welfare.