Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-08T13:25:07.021Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Roles of Labor and Profitability in Choosing a Grazing Strategy for Beef Production in the U.S. Gulf Coast Region

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2015

Jeffrey M. Gillespie ,
Wayne Wyatt ,
Brad Venuto ,
David Blouin  and
Robert Boucher
Jeffrey M. Gillespie
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Wayne Wyatt
Affiliation:
Iberia Research Station, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Jeanerette, LA
Brad Venuto
Affiliation:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, El Reno, OK
David Blouin
Affiliation:
Department of Experimental Statistics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Robert Boucher
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Comparisons are made concerning labor required and profitability associated with continuous grazing at three stocking rates and rotational grazing at a high stocking rate in the U.S. Gulf Coast region. A unique data set was collected using a time and motion study method to determine labor requirements. Profits are lowest for low stocking rate–continuous grazing and high stocking rate–rotational grazing. Total labor and labor in three specific categories are greater on per acre and/or per cow bases with rotational-grazing than with continuous-grazing strategies. These results help to explain relatively low adoption rates of rotational grazing in the region.

Keywords

labor requirementsrotational grazingstocking ratetime and motion studyQ12Q24
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 40 , Issue 1 , April 2007 , pp. 301 - 313
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aiken, G.E. “Steer Performance and Nutritive Values for Continuously and Rotationally Stocked Bermuda Grass Sod-Seeded with Wheat and Ryegrass.” Journal of Production Agriculture 11(1998):149–50, 185–90.Google Scholar
Anderson, D.M. “Seasonal Stocking of Tobosa Managed under Continuous and Rotation Grazing.” Journal of Range Management 41(1988):78–83.Google Scholar
Barnes, R.M. Motion and Time Study: Design and Measurement of Work, 7th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1980.Google Scholar
Bertelson, B.S., Faulkner, D.B., Buskirk, D.D., and Castro, J.W. “Beef Cattle Performance and Forage Characteristics of Continuous, 6-Paddock, and 11-Paddock Grazing Systems.” Journal of Animal Science 71(1993):1381–89.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Boucher, R.W., and Gillespie, J.M. Projected Costs and Returns for Beef Cattle, Dairy, Broiler, and Forage Crop Production in Louisiana, 1999. Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Information Series No. 171. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 1999.Google Scholar
Boucher, R.W., and Gillespie, J.M. Projected Costs and Returns for Beef Cattle, Dairy, Boiler, and Forage Crop Production in Louisiana, 2000. Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Information Series No. 180. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 2000.Google Scholar
Boucher, R.W., and Gillespie, J.M. Projected Costs and Returns for Beef Cattle, Dairy, Broiler, and Forage Crop Production in Louisiana, 2001. Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Information Series No. 188. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, 2001.Google Scholar
Bransby, D.D., Kee, D.D., and Gregory, W.H. “Intensive Rotational Grazing Not Always Beneficial.” Alabama Highlights 36,4(1989):3.Google Scholar
Cassels, D.M., Gillen, R.L., McCollum, F.T., Tate, K.W., and Hodges, M.E. “Effects of Grazing Management on Standing Crop Dynamics in Tallgrass Prairie.” Journal of Range Management 48(1995):81–84.Google Scholar
Chestnut, A.B., Fribourg, H.A., Onks, D.O., McLaren, J.B., Gwinn, K.D., and Mueller, M.A. “Performance of Cows and Calves with Continuous or Rotational Stocking of Endophyte-Infested Tall Fescue-Clover Pastures.” Journal of Production Agriculture 5,3(1992):405–08.Google Scholar
Derner, J.D., Gillen, R.L., McCollum, F.T., and Tate, K.W. “Little Bluestem Tiller Defoliation Patterns under Continuous and Rotational Grazing.” Journal of Range Management 47,3(1994):220–25.Google Scholar
Gillen, R.L., McCollum, F.T., Hodges, M.E., and Tate, K.W. Livestock Response to Grazing Systems and Stocking Rate on Tallgrass Prairie, pp. 420–425. Stillwater, OK: Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, MP–136, 1992.Google Scholar
Hafley, J.L. “Comparison of Marshall and Surrey Ryegrass for Continuous and Rotational Grazing.” Journal of Animal Science 74(1996):2269–75.Google Scholar
Hart, R.H., Marchant, W.H., Butler, J.L., Hellwig, R.E., McCormick, W.C., Southwell, B.L., and Burton, G.W. “Steer Gains Under Six Systems of Coastal Bermuda Grass Utilization.” Journal of Range Management 29,5(1976):372–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Heitschmidt, R.K., Connor, J.R., Canon, S.K., Pinchak, W.E., Walker, J.W., and Dowhower, S.L. “Cow/Calf Production and Economic Returns from Yearlong Continuous, Deferred Rotation and Rotational Grazing Treatments.” Journal of Production Agriculture 3,1(1990):92–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jung, H.G., Rice, R.W., and Koong, L.J. “Comparison of Heifer Weight Gains and Forage Quality for Continuous and Short-Duration Grazing Systems.” Journal of Range Management 38(1985):144–48.Google Scholar
Kim, S.A. “The Effect of Economic Factors on the Adoption of Best Management Practices in Beef Cattle Production.” Ph.D. Dissertation. Chonman National University, Korea, 2004.Google Scholar
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center. “Beef Production Best Management Practices.” Publication 2884. LSU Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 2002.Google Scholar
McCann, M.A. “Rotational vs. Continuous Grazing.” Proceedings of the Southeastern Sustainable Animal Waste Management Workshop, 1997.Google Scholar
Pitts, J.S., and Bryant, F.C. “Steer and Vegetation Response to Short Duration and Continuous Grazing.” Journal of Range Management 40,5(1987):1381–89.Google Scholar
Popp, J.D., McCaughey, W.P., and Cohen, R.D.H. “Effect of Grazing System, Stocking Rate, and Season of Use on Diet Quality and Herbage Availability of Alfalfa-Grass Pastures.” Canadian Journal of Animal Science 77(1996):111–18.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thurow, T.L., Blackburn, W.H., and Taylor, C.H. Jr. “Some Vegetation Responses to Selected Livestock Grazing Strategies, Edwards Plateau, Texas.” Journal of Range Management 41(1998):108–14.Google Scholar
Torrell, L.A., Lyon, K.S., and Godfrey, E.B. “Long Run vs. Short Run Planning Horizons and the Rangeland Stocking Rate Decision.” American Journal of Agricultural Economics 73,3(August 1991):795–807.Google Scholar
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Agricultural Statistics. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006.Google Scholar
Wachenheim, C.J., Black, J.R., Schlegel, M.L., and Rust, S.R. “Grazing Methods and Stocking Rates for Direct-Seeded Alfalfa Pastures III: Economics of Alternative Stocking Rates for Alfalfa Pastures.” Journal of Animal Science 78,8(2000):2209–14.Google Scholar
Wyatt, W.E., Venuto, B.C., Gillespie, J.M., and Blouin, D.C. “The Effects of Pasture Stocking Rate and Method on Forage Characterization and Cow-Calf Performance: Early Spring (February–April).” Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Beef Report 33, pp. 12–15. Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Baton Rouge, LA, 2005a.Google Scholar
Wyatt, W.E., Venuto, B.C., Gillespie, J.M., and Blouin, D.C. “The Effects of Pasture Stocking Rate and Method on Forage Characterization and Cow-Calf Performance: Late Spring (May–June).” Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Beef Report 33, pp. 16–19. Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Baton Rouge, LA, 2005b.Google Scholar
Wyatt, W.E., Venuto, B.C., Gillespie, J.M., and Blouin, D.C. “The Effects of Pasture Stocking Rate and Method on Forage Characterization and Cow-Calf Performance: Summer (July–October).” Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Beef Report 33, pp. 20–23. Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Baton Rouge, LA, 2005c.Google Scholar
Wyatt, W.E., Gillespie, J.M., Venuto, B.C., and Blouin, D.C. “Effects of Pasture Stocking Rate and Method on Cow–Calf Production.” Louisiana Agriculture (Winter 2006):22–23.Google Scholar