The risk attitudes of dryland wheat, irrigated maize, and dairy producers in Kansas, USA, are examined using the nonlinear mean-standard deviation approach. Observations on farm characteristics, obtained from 1993-97, and the statewide market year average prices for wheat and maize from 1950-97, are used. Results of analyses indicated that dryland wheat and dairy producers are characterized by increasing absolute and increasing relative risk aversion while irrigated maize producers are characterized by constant absolute and increasing relative risk aversion. Both crop enterprises exhibited constant returns to scale technology while the dairy enterprise exhibited decreasing returns to scale. Gross farm income was significant and positively related to relative risk aversion.
