This article describes factors that influence the risk perceptions of producers of agricultural commodities of the geographic micro-region of Vacaria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The conceptual background is based on the influence of social-economic and farm asset characteristics on farmers' perceptions. Data were collected using questionnaires applied to farmers, and analyzed by descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis. Two factorial analyses were carried out, followed by the generation of multiple regression models. The results showed the risk sources and risk management mechanisms perceived as more relevant by the farmers. The factors that most influenced farmers' perceptions were age, management experience, having a successor, planted area, main crop, owning the machinery, and participation in associations.