Progress 10/01/99 to 09/30/04
Outputs
Six studies have been completed. The first study involved a simulation of feeding dairy cattle, beef cattle, feeder steers, sheep, and horses. The results suggest that intensive irrigated pasture use can be competitive with existing or traditional feeding practices, though it depends on the livestock type being grazed. The second study involved a simulation of beef cattle feeding under a variety of precipitation and price patterns. Four additional studies have involved sensitivity analyses the above cited studies, which allow us to identify how sensitive each of the model coefficients (i.e., price, costs, and productivity measures) is relative to the optimal solution. All of these studies utilized linear programming models (using LINDO software). Based on productivity measures resulting from pasture trials conducted at Utah State University, irrigated pasture is more cost effective than other forms of feed except for access to the forage on public lands. Access to
public lands, however, is conditional upon the amount of precipitation that is received. During drought periods, irrigated pasture becomes a viable alternative to lost range forage. Five budgets have been prepared showing the economic costs and benefits associated with intensive irrigated pasture management.
Impacts
An increased utilization of intensively managed irrigated pastures may provide financial and physical relief to current livestock producers who face dual problems of potential public land grazing losses and difficult economic times.
Publications
- Birch, S. And D.L. Snyder. 2000. Sensitivity analysis related to intensively managed irrigated pastures in dairy cattle, beef cattle, feeder steers, sheep flocks, and horses in Utah. Economics Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
- Birch, S. And D. L. Snyder. 2000. Sensitivity analysis related to improving private grazing land for beef production in Utah. Economics Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
- Hammon, K. 2001. Determining the economic importance of intensively managed irrigated pasture sin various small to moderately sized livestock production operations in Utah. Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT. Upublished M.S. Thesis.
- Neibar, M. and D.L. Snyder. 2001. Irrigated pasture coefficient sensitivity as related to dairy cattle, beef cattle, feeder steers, sheep flocks, and horses in Utah. Economics Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT.
- Neibar, M. and D.L. Snyder. 2001. Private land use and production coefficient sensitivity related to private land for beef production in Utah. Economics Department, Utah State University, Logan, Utah.
- Sainsbury, L. 2001. Intensification in a risky environment: the case of improving private grazing land for beef production in Utah. Range Science Department, Utah State University, Logan, Utah. Unpublished MS Thesis. (Resubmitted from 2000 and approved by committee and School of Graduate Studies)
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
Two additional studies have been completed todate. Both involve sensitivity analysis related to two earlier completed linear programming problems. The first study involved a simulation of feeding dairy cattle, beef cattle, feeder steers, sheep, and horses. The results suggest that intensive irrigated pasture use can be competitive with existing or traditional feeding practices, though it depends on the livestock type being grazed. There are a number of parameter coefficients that are particularly sensitive to changes in value, primarily feed grains and hay. With changes in prices over the past ten years average plus or minus 50 percent, it is not unlikely that these coefficients will reach the point that the LP problem bases would be altered, changing the proportion of the various feeds used. This suggests caution in a wholesale movement into intensively managed, irrigated pastures. A sensitivity analysis was also completed with respect to the second study, which
involved a simulation of beef cattle feeding under a variety of precipitation and price patterns. These results are highly dependent upon the productivity measures obtained through pasture trials at Utah State University. If pastures are not as productive as found in various trials completed thus far, all of which involved simulated grazing, then improved irrigated pastures should be examined very carefully as their efficacy is based largely on the USU pasture productivity figures. This second study also suggests that any loss of public lands will reduce producer incomes and increase the need for and reliance on irrigated pastures, as well as other ranch-based feeds. More work is needed in determining the appropriate transition process into irrigated pastures from a diversified farming operation. Also, actual grazing-related data are needed to supplement the information available through the above completed simulation studies.
Impacts
An increased utilization of intensively managed irrigated pastures may provide financial and physical relief to current livestock producers who face dual problems of potential public land grazing losses and difficult economic times.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
Two studies have been completed to-date. The first study involved a simulation of feeding dairy cattle, beef cattle, feeder steers, sheep, and horses. The results suggest that intensive irrigated pasture use can be competitive with existing or traditional feeding practices, though it depends on the livestock type being grazed. The second study involved a simulation of beef cattle feeding under a variety of precipitation and price patterns. Sensitivity analyses have also been completed for both of these studies, which allow us to identify how sensitive each of the model coefficients (i.e., price, costs, and productivity measures) is relative to the optimal solution. Both of these studies have utilized linear programming models (using LINDO software). Based on productivity measures resulting from pasture trials conducted at Utah State University, irrigated pasture is more cost effective than other forms of feed except for access to the forage on public lands. Access to
public lands, however, is conditional upon the amount of precipitation that is received. During drought periods, irrigated pasture becomes a viable alternative to lost range forage. Five budgets have been prepared showing the economic costs and benefits associated with intensive irrigated pasture management. While intensively managed pastures may provide a viable option for some producers, additional research is needed to better quantify the tradeoffs between plant growth and consumption.
Impacts
An increased utilization of intensively managed irrigated pastures may provide financial and physical relief to current livestock producers who face dual problems of potential public land grazing losses and difficult economic times.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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