RISK is uncertainty that matters. Future events are unknown to us due to two, separate and distinct factors: variability and uncertainty.

Variability means alternatives or different outcomes in the future purely due to the effects of chance. Uncertainty refers to our lack of knowledge about the future. One of the biggest hurdles to good decision making is the separation of variability and uncertainty.

Risk management can be generally defined as taking deliberate action to shape the variability of the outcomes, the consequences, or both for any management decision that might be made. This is accomplished by applying one or more risk controls.

A list of common risk controls is available at
RightRisk.org, see: RightRisk.org\controls.

 
EMPLOYERS must complete a Form I-9 for each person they hire to perform labor or services in the United States in return for wages or other remuneration. Employers use “Form I-9”, officially the Employment Eligibility Verification form, to verify the identity and legal authorization to work of all paid employees in the United States. The Form I-9 is not required for unpaid volunteers or for contractors.

Learn more via the recently completed 4-page, 4-color Ag Help Wanted UPDATE: ¿Qué es un Formulario I-9 y quién lo necesita?

Ag Help Wanted updates are available for download at: AgHelpWanted.org/updates.

 
PASTURE, RANGELAND, FORAGE – Rainfall Index coverage (RI-PRF) is designed to offer protection against revenue losses resulting from decreased forage production, using a rainfall index to indicate low precipitation levels. The Risk Scenario Planning tool from RightRisk.org can, with a little creativity, be used to analyze expected net revenue under an RI-PRF policy. The resulting cumulative distribution graph provides the probability of earning a net return at or below any certain value. With this information in hand we can begin to answer questions like: “How effective is this coverage?” or “How often would it pay?”

For examples using the Risk Scenario Planning tool see Applied Risk Analytics “Evaluating Pasture, Rangeland, Forage – Rainfall Index Coverage” at: RightRisk.org\AppliedRiskAnalytics

The Risk Scenario Planning tool is one of over 30 individual risk analysis tools developed by RightRisk and available free of charge at: RightRisk.org\analytics.

The Enterprise Risk Analyzer is one of over 30 individual risk analysis tools developed by RightRisk and available free of charge at: RightRisk.org\analytics. RightRisk.org\Analytics.

 
The Western Risk Management Library offers over 790 articles across 42 individual categories, covering general, production, market, financial, legal, and human resource risks. The library was developed by members of the 13-state, Western Extension Committee, with partial support provided by Farm Foundation.

Access the Western Risk Management Library and at: FarmManagement.org/library.

 
HAVE you ever tried to estimate your cost of production for enterprises on your farm/ranch? It can be a daunting challenge. The Enterprise Risk Analyzer (ERA) tool can help evaluate farm/ranch enterprise performance, beginning with just an IRS Schedule F.

ERA analysis includes whole farm/ranch net return, enterprise net return, break-even prices, and breakeven yields. ERA also provides risk estimates based on user projections for commodity prices and yields. Providing probability estimates for earning a given level of net income, a break-even price, or a given break-even yield.

The Enterprise Risk Analyzer is one of over 30 individual risk analysis tools developed by RightRisk and available free of charge at: RightRisk.org\analytics. RightRisk.org\Analytics.

 
A CITIZEN of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, unless a visa is not required for individuals from that country of nationality. The visa is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizen­ship. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa, if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The type of visa a person must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law and relates to the purpose of travel. Learn more via the 4-page, 4-color Ag Help Wanted UPDATE: ¿Cuáles son los requisitos para conseguir visa de Estados Unidos para trabajadores agrícolas

Ag Help Wanted updates are available for download at: AgHelpWanted.org\Updates.

 
Machinery and equipment is often one of the largest expense categories for a farm or ranch operation. Many producers do not know their machinery and equipment cost for a given activity. The Machine Risk Calculator from RightRisk.org can help estimate rates for custom field operations and individual machinery costs. The tool will also estimate the risk sensitivity of those costs to changes in various factors. For examples using the tool see Applied Risk Analytics “Estimating Custom Rates and Machinery Costs” at: RightRisk.org\AppliedRiskAnalytics.

The Machine Risk Calculator is a toolbox filled with over 30 individual risk analysis tools developed by RightRisk and available free of charge at: RightRisk.org\Analytics.

 
PROBLEM WORK SITUATIONS: WORKING WITH EMPLOYEES offers nine sets of brief vignettes that illustrate approaches to one-on-one communication in problem work situations. Each includes one scene showing an apparent personnel problem and three scenes showing possible supervisory responses to it, including: Tardiness, Slow Work, Inebriation, Poor Quality Work, Theft, Conflict Between Workers, Insubordination, Sleeping on the Job, and Careless Work. A 3-part guide offers further insights via Rules and Reason for Managing Farm Personnel.

Learn more via Video Links at Ag Help Wanted.org.

 
Evaluating risk management alternatives can be challenging, especially without the right tools. The RightRisk Team has been working for nearly 20 years to develop the right tools to assist managers of agricultural operations to make the best decisions, even when the information at hand is incomplete or difficult to interpret. Each tool includes a written guide to help get started. Some have dedicated online courses or videos outlining their use and application. This online presentation will explore the tools currently available and the general approach followed for each.

Access the presentation at: RightRisk.org\presentations (22 mins.)

RightRisk Analytics is a toolbox filled with over 30 individual risk analysis tools developed by RightRisk and available free of charge at: RightRisk.org\Analytics.

 
The FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards affecting employees in the private sector and in federal, state, and local governments. The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) administers and enforces the FLSA with respect to private employment, state and local government employment, and federal employees. Learn more via the 4-page, 4-color Ag Help Wanted UPDATE: ¿Cuál es la Ley de Normas Justas de Trabajo en agricultura y cómo se aplica a mí?

Ag Help Wanted updates are available for download at: AgHelpWanted.org\Updates.