IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v12y2022i8p1227-d888790.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Developing a Moving Average Crossover Strategy as an Alternative Hedging Strategy for the South Africa Maize Market

Author

Listed:
  • Markus Arlindo Monteiro

    (Department of Agricultural Economics University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Bennie Grové

    (Department of Agricultural Economics University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Nicolette Matthews

    (Department of Agricultural Economics University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

Abstract

Grain marketing is complex because important decisions are made on the timing of sales and the quantities sold at every trading activity. The literature suggest various grain-hedging strategies, however these strategies are not adaptable to changing market conditions or are difficult for a producer to implement. To address these limitations, our study developed tailor-made moving average crossover (MAC) strategies that are adaptable to changing market conditions and can be easily followed by risk neutral and risk averse grain producers. The study used daily closing prices for the white maize May futures contract for the period 2009/2010 to 2019/2020. An optimization model was solved using the evolutionary algorithm embedded in Excel ® to identify the optimal MAC strategy that maximizes the margin above marketing cost for a risk aversion level. The results showed that optimal MAC strategies differ amongst producers with different levels of risk aversion. Furthermore, it was found that the risk-averse producers perform best by marketing their grain early in the marketing season. Meanwhile, the risk-neutral producers perform better by spreading their marketing activities throughout the season. The results further showed that the optimal MAC strategies performed better than the previously proposed routine strategies. The conclusion is therefore that an optimal MAC strategy outperforms routine strategies because of its ability to adapt to changing market conditions, while still being easy to implement.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus Arlindo Monteiro & Bennie Grové & Nicolette Matthews, 2022. "Developing a Moving Average Crossover Strategy as an Alternative Hedging Strategy for the South Africa Maize Market," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-14, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:8:p:1227-:d:888790
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/8/1227/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/12/8/1227/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Babcock, Bruce A. & Choi, E. Kwan & Feinerman, Eli, 1993. "Risk And Probability Premiums For Cara Utility Functions," Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 18(1), pages 1-8, July.
    2. J. Brian Hardaker & James W. Richardson & Gudbrand Lien & Keith D. Schumann, 2004. "Stochastic efficiency analysis with risk aversion bounds: a simplified approach," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 48(2), pages 253-270, June.
    3. Meyer, Jack, 1977. "Choice among distributions," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 326-336, April.
    4. Zulauf, Carl R. & Larson, Donald W. & Alexander, Christopher K. & Irwin, Scott H., 2001. "Pre-Harvest Pricing Strategies in Ohio Corn Markets: Their Effect on Returns and Cash Flow," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 33(1), pages 103-115, April.
    5. Kane, Michael A. & Beierlein, James G. & Dunn, James W., 1983. "Price Risk Reduction in Marketing Corn From Using Hedging Strategies," Northeastern Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 0(Number 1), pages 1-4.
    6. M.M. Venter & D.B. Strydom & B. Grové, 2013. "Stochastic efficiency analysis of alternative basic grain marketing strategies," Agrekon, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(sup1), pages 46-63, March.
    7. Marcelo José Carrer & Rodrigo Lanna Franco da Silveira & Hildo Meirelles de Souza Filho, 2019. "Factors influencing hedging decision: evidence from Brazilian citrus growers," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 63(1), pages 1-19, January.
    8. Carlotta Penone & Elisa Giampietri & Samuele Trestini, 2021. "Hedging Effectiveness of Commodity Futures Contracts to Minimize Price Risk: Empirical Evidence from the Italian Field Crop Sector," Risks, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-14, December.
    9. Lu‐Tao Zhao & Ya Meng & Yue‐Jun Zhang & Yun‐Tao Li, 2019. "The optimal hedge strategy of crude oil spot and futures markets: Evidence from a novel method," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 24(1), pages 186-203, January.
    10. Stuart D. Frank & Scott H. Irwin & George H. Pfeiffer & Charles E. Curtis, 1989. "Further Evidence on Soybean Marketing Strategies: The Role of Options," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 11(2), pages 213-219.
    11. Robert N. Wisner & E. Neal Blue & E. Dean Baldwin, 1998. "Preharvest Marketing Strategies Increase Net Returns for Corn and Soybean Growers," Review of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 20(2), pages 288-307.
    12. Chen, Xiangyu & Tongurai, Jittima, 2021. "Cross-commodity hedging for illiquid futures: Evidence from China's base metal futures market," Global Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    13. Yingying Xu & Donald Lien, 2020. "Optimal futures hedging for energy commodities: An application of the GAS model," Journal of Futures Markets, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 40(7), pages 1090-1108, July.
    14. Kane, Michael A. & Beierlein, James G. & Dunn, James W., 1983. "Price Risk Reduction in Marketing Corn From Using Hedging Strategies," Journal of the Northeastern Agricultural Economics Council, Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association, vol. 12(1), pages 1-4.
    15. Peter J. Barry & Bruce J. Sherrick & Jianmei Zhao, 2009. "Integration of VaR and expected utility under departures from normality," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 40(6), pages 691-699, November.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Eihab M. Fathelrahman & James C. Ascough II & Dana L. Hoag & Robert W. Malone & Philip Heilman & Lori J. Wiles & Ramesh S. Kanwar, 2011. "Continuum of Risk Analysis Methods to Assess Tillage System Sustainability at the Experimental Plot Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 3(7), pages 1-29, July.
    2. Eihab Fathelrahman & Aydin Basarir & Mohamed Gheblawi & Sherin Sherif & James Ascough, 2014. "Economic Risk and Efficiency Assessment of Fisheries in Abu-Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE): A Stochastic Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(6), pages 1-21, June.
    3. Tzouramani, Irene & Karanikolas, Pavlos & Alexopoulos, George, 2008. "Risk and Income Risk Management Issues for Organic Crops in Greece," 108th Seminar, February 8-9, 2008, Warsaw, Poland 48116, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    4. Lien, Gudbrand D. & Flaten, Ola & Schumann, Keith D. & Richardson, James W. & Korsaeth, Audun & Eltun, Ragnar, 2005. "Comparison of Risk Between Cropping Systems in Eastern Norway," 2005 International Congress, August 23-27, 2005, Copenhagen, Denmark 24663, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    5. Williams, Jeffery R. & Llewelyn, Richard V. & Pendell, Dustin L. & Schlegel, Alan J. & Troy, Dumler, 2009. "A Risk Analysis of Converting CRP Acres to a Wheat-Sorghum-Fallow Rotation," 2009 Annual Meeting, January 31-February 3, 2009, Atlanta, Georgia 45985, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    6. Schumann, Keith D. & Richardson, James W. & Lien, Gudbrand D. & Hardaker, J. Brian, 2004. "Stochastic Efficiency Analysis Using Multiple Utility Functions," 2004 Annual meeting, August 1-4, Denver, CO 19957, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    7. Adusumilli, Naveen & Wang, Hua & Dodla, Syam & Deliberto, Michael, 2020. "Estimating risk premiums for adopting no-till and cover crops management practices in soybean production system using stochastic efficiency approach," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    8. Liu, Yangxuan & Langemeier, Michael & Small, Ian & Joseph, Laura & Fry, William, 2015. "Risk management strategies using potato precision farming technology," 2015 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 26-28, San Francisco, California 205417, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    9. Leiva, Akssell J. & Skees, Jerry R., 2008. "Using Irrigation Insurance to Improve Water Usage of the Rio Mayo Irrigation System in Northwestern Mexico," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 36(12), pages 2663-2678, December.
    10. Pablo Urtubia & Alfonso Novales & Andrés Mora-Valencia, 2021. "Cross-Hedging Portfolios in Emerging Stock Markets: Evidence for the LATIBEX Index," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(21), pages 1-19, October.
    11. Lau, Michael H. & Richardson, James W. & Outlaw, Joe L. & Fuller, Stephen W. & Nixon, Clair J. & Herbst, Brian K., 2004. "Location Of A Mixalco Production Facility With Respect To Economic Viability," 2004 Annual meeting, August 1-4, Denver, CO 20025, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    12. Yangxuan Liu & Michael R. Langemeier & Ian M. Small & Laura Joseph & William E. Fry & Jean B. Ristaino & Amanda Saville & Benjamin M. Gramig & Paul V. Preckel, 2018. "A Risk Analysis of Precision Agriculture Technology to Manage Tomato Late Blight," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-19, August.
    13. Flaten, O. & Lien, G., 2007. "Stochastic utility-efficient programming of organic dairy farms," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 181(3), pages 1574-1583, September.
    14. Jack Meyer & James W. Richardson & Keith D. Schumann, 2009. "Stochastic efficiency analysis with risk aversion bounds: a correction," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 53(4), pages 521-525, October.
    15. McDonald, Jeffrey D. & Moffitt, L. Joe & Willis, Cleve E., 1997. "Application of mean-Gini stochastic efficiency analysis," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 41(1), pages 1-18.
    16. Ram N. Acharya & Rajan Ghimire & Apar GC & Don Blayney, 2019. "Effect of Cover Crop on Farm Profitability and Risk in the Southern High Plains," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-13, December.
    17. Neyhard, James & Tauer, Loren & Gloy, Brent, 2013. "Analysis of Price Risk Management Strategies in Dairy Farming Using Whole-Farm Simulations," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Southern Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 45(2), pages 1-15, May.
    18. repec:ags:aaea22:335895 is not listed on IDEAS
    19. Brummett, Robert G. & Richardson, James W., 2008. "Risk, Research, and Returns: Valuation of the Potential of Improved Citrus Cultivars," 2008 Annual Meeting, February 2-6, 2008, Dallas, Texas 6759, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.
    20. Flaten, Ola & Lien, Gudbrand D., 2005. "Stochastic Utility-Efficient Programming of Organic Dairy Farms," 2005 International Congress, August 23-27, 2005, Copenhagen, Denmark 24743, European Association of Agricultural Economists.
    21. Liu, Yangxuan & Langemeier, Michael & Small, Ian & Joseph, Laura & Fry, William & Ristaino, Jean & Saville, Amanda, 2017. "A Risk Analysis of precision farming for tomato production," 2017 Annual Meeting, February 4-7, 2017, Mobile, Alabama 253119, Southern Agricultural Economics Association.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:8:p:1227-:d:888790. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.