Modelling the risk of different joining times and lamb sale policies

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1694 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Robertson ◽  
A. F. Southwell ◽  
M. A. Friend
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Simulation Modelling ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Feed Resources ◽  
Systems Simulation ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Stocking Rates

Month of joining and lamb sale strategy influence both the quantity and so value of lamb produced, and the feed required, so are important management decisions contributing to the profitability of sheep systems. Simulation modelling was used to evaluate the impact on gross margins of three lamb sale strategies for different months of joining and varying stocking rates. A flock of purchased Merino ewes producing crossbred lambs in southern Australia was modelled between 1971 and 2011. April joining produced higher gross margins than November or January only if the number of ewes per hectare was increased to potential carrying capacity. At the optimum stocking rate for each month of joining, three sale policies – a flexible lamb sale policy (where lambs were sold depending on seasonal conditions); selling lambs in December; or selling at 45-kg liveweight, all produced a similar mean gross margin, but the feed resources required were least using the flexible strategy (April-joined mean 195 ± 253 s.d. kg/ha for flexible compared with 219 ± 270 kg/ha if selling December or 1085 ± 459 kg/ha if sold at 45 kg). Mean gross margin differed between sale strategies by up to AU$66/ha if the optimal stocking rate was not used. These results suggest that the most advantageous lamb sale strategy will vary with both month of joining and stocking rate used, and should be considered when optimising sheep management systems.

Production and gross margins for sheep and cattle grazed separately and together

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (72) ◽  
pp. 38 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
First Grade ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Stocking Rates

On annual pasture, ewes lambing in autumn and young steers grazed separately each at five stocking rates, and grazed together in a ratio of 4 : 1 at each of three stocking rates. Gross margin per hectare (GMH) from the sheep was greatest at the heaviest stocking rate that could be carried safely without supplementary feed, and from steers was greatest at the heaviest stocking rate at which a high proportion of carcases were first-grade, even in a year of poor pasture. Maximum GMH from the steers was obtained at a lighter equivalent stocking rate than that required for maximum GMH from the sheep. When the sheep and steers grazed together at a stocking rate where first-grade steer carcases were produced consistently, the loss in potential sheep GMH from reducing the sheep stocking rate to this level was greater than the value of any benefit from mixed stocking. This finding is discussed in relation to results from another environment where no difference was found between sheep and cattle in the stocking rate required for maximum GMH.

Performance of sheep systems grazing perennial pastures. 4. Simulated seasonal variation and long-term production

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 423
Author(s):  
Susan M. Robertson ◽  
Michael A. Friend
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support Tool ◽  
Supplementary Feeding ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Production Risk ◽  
Support Tool ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Stocking Rates

Choice of sheep-management system alters both production potential and the production risk due to variability in seasonal conditions. This study quantified production and gross margins from systems based on Merino ewes and varying in stocking rate, time of lambing, and the proportion of ewes joined to terminal-breed or Merino rams. Simulation studies were conducted between 1971 and 2011 using the AusFarm decision-support tool for a grazing property in southern New South Wales. Joining between December and May resulted in higher gross margins than in other months because of higher numbers of lambs sold combined with a lower requirement for supplementary feeding. More ewes could be carried per hectare for April joining than February joining to achieve the same midwinter stocking rate and risk of feeding. Self-replacing systems could produce median gross margins similar to those with replacement ewes purchased, but gross margins were sensitive to the cost of replacement ewes. Of the systems compared, February joining to Merino rams produced the lowest gross margins at all stocking rates, but this system also had the lowest variability among years. The advantage of different systems was dependent on seasonal conditions, which altered lamb production and supplementary feeding. The median ranking of systems for gross margin generally did not alter with changes in feed, sheep or wool values. Large increases in gross margins can be achieved through use of terminal-breed rams, optimal stocking rates and time of lambing, but the superiority of any option depended on production system, price assumptions and seasonal conditions.

Gross margins in Australian mohair enterprises and relationships with farm inputs, productivity and mohair quality

2010 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 573 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. McGregor ◽  
W. D. English
Keyword(s):  
Grazing Intensity ◽  
Financial Information ◽  
Average Price ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Fine Hair ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Phosphate Fertiliser ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Farm Inputs

In the absence of financial information on Australian mohair enterprises we aimed to determine the gross margins (per dry sheep equivalent, DSE) and their relationships with farm inputs, productivity and mohair quality in Australian mohair enterprises. Using established Victorian Farm and Sheep Monitor Project protocols we collected data for the financial years 2004–05, 2005–06 and 2006–07 from farmers in south-eastern Australia and made comparisons with data from wool enterprises of similar farm area. Over 3 years the financial returns from mohair exceeded that from wool in terms of $/DSE ($23.0 v. 11.3) and $/ha ($132 v. $116). This result was achieved despite the mohair enterprises grazing their goats far less intensively compared with the grazing intensity of sheep (5.9 v. 10.3–11.1 DSE/ha) and by using far less phosphate fertiliser than used in the wool enterprises (2.2 v. 4.6–6.1 kg P/ha). These differences were counterbalanced by higher prices for mohair compared with fine wool ($13.15/kg v. $8.35/kg clean fibre). Gross margin for the mohair enterprise did not increase as stocking rate increased. Income from mohair sales declined as the proportion of does in the flock increased. Increasing the proportion of does in the flock was associated with a decline in the average price of mohair ($16/kg greasy at 42% does to $8/kg greasy at 83% does in the flock). This decline was closely associated with the increasing proportion of the total amount of mohair coarser than 34.0 µm (either fine hair or hair) plus stained mohair. The variation in profitability between farms indicates significant scope for many mohair enterprises to increase profit. A focus on producing finer quality mohair will increase mohair profitability.

scholarly journals Simulating the impact of fertiliser strategies and prices on the economics of developing and managing the Cicerone Project farmlets under climatic uncertainty

2013 ◽  
Vol 53 (8) ◽  
pp. 806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Behrendt ◽  
James M. Scott ◽  
Oscar Cacho ◽  
Randall Jones
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
Efficient Management ◽  
Fertiliser Application ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Future Management

The application of fertilisers to pastures in the high rainfall regions of southern Australia has contributed to large increases in carrying capacity following the widespread adoption of the practice since the late 1940s. Recently, large shifts in the worldwide demand for fertiliser inputs have lead to large rises in the cost of fertiliser inputs. These increasing costs have significant potential ramifications on the future management of soil fertility and its interaction with the persistence and profitability of sown pastures, especially during periods of climatic uncertainty. A dynamic pasture resource development simulation model was used to investigate the implications of fertiliser rates and costs on the efficient management of soil fertility under climatic uncertainty. The framework also allowed the investigation of how the management of soil fertility interacts with the utilisation of pasture resources through different stocking rates. In the application of this method to the Cicerone Project farmlets case study, fertiliser input costs were found to influence the optimal combination of fertiliser inputs and stocking rate. Analyses of the dynamic interaction between fertiliser application and cost, stocking rate and the persistence of desirable species enabled the identification of the most risk-efficient strategies. The implications for grazing industries in the high rainfall regions of southern Australia are discussed.

scholarly journals Herbage Mass Productivity and Carrying Capacity Estimation of Some of the Selected Rangelands of Taplejung District

1970 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 63-70
Author(s):  
NR Devkota ◽  
MR Kolachhapati
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Unit Area ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Grazing Management ◽  
Optimum Number ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Mass Yield ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Stocking Rates

A study of the representing rangelands of Taplejung district was carried out during summer of 2009 to estimate the herbage mass yield of different slope categories, and to calculate the carrying capacity (CC) of the representing rangelands based on 60 days re-growth period so that optimum number of livestock unit (LU) per unit area would be possible to allow for grazing. The findings revealed that plain slope had higher herbage mass produced, but was comparatively over-grazed as revealed by higher stocking rate. Existing carrying capacity reasonably supports the grazers, but irrespective of the quality herbage. In deed there was a lower CC for higher slope area with higher CC for plain slope. Nevertheless, the CC values for different slope categories indicated that rangelands in Taplejung district has wider scope of improvement, both for herbage mass productivity, and grazing management through precise stocking rates to match with the prevailing carrying capacity. A major challenge, however, lies to convince herders about the benefits of reducing stocking rates and improving production efficiencies, with the increased income and less degradation of the present available rangelands. Detail study on herbage mass production based on total herbage mass harvest days of a year along with stocking rate for the respective period would be important to consider in generating concrete and site specific information. Key words: herbage mass; carrying capacity; stocking rate; rangelands; herders; Taplejung district DOI: 10.3126/njst.v11i0.4125Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 11 (2010) 63-70

scholarly journals Assessing Performance Impacts in Food Retail Distribution Systems: A Stochastic Frontier Model Correcting for Sample Selection

2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 373-389
Author(s):  
Timothy A. Park
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Sample Selection ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Stochastic Frontier Model ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Food Retailers ◽  
Food Retailer ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
The Impact

A key organizational decision for retailers is whether to self-distribute or rely on a wholesaler-supplied network and yet little is known about the impact of this strategic choice on store-level productivity. We estimate a stochastic frontier model for food retailers that accounts for selectivity effects linked to the choice of distribution strategy. We find that adoption of data-sharing technologies has a positive impact on store-level gross margins of stores in self-distributing chains. Technical inefficiency among U.S. food retailers leads to a gross margin that is around $5,000 less for a conventional food retailer and about $7,670 less for a supercenter.

scholarly journals Livestock intensification potential in Brazil based on agricultural census and satellite data analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (9) ◽  
pp. 1053-1060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arielle Elias Arantes ◽  
Victor Rezende de Moreira Couto ◽  
Edson Eyji Sano ◽  
Laerte Guimarães Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Agricultural Census ◽  
Moderate Resolution ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer ◽  
Stocking Rates

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of livestock intensification in Brazil. Beef cattle stocking rates were estimated according to agricultural census data on livestock production in Brazilian municipalities. Pasture carrying capacity was obtained by combining moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (Modis) images of gross primary productivity and data on dry matter demand per animal unit (AU). Cattle stocking rate for Brazil, in 2014/2015, was 0.97 AU ha-1, and the carrying capacity was 3.60 AU ha-1; therefore, there is an average livestock intensification potential of 2.63 AU ha-1. The highest average intensification potential was observed for the Southern region (3.62 AU ha-1), and the lowest for the Northern (2.13 AU ha-1) and Northeastern regions (2.22 AU ha-1). It is possible to estimate cattle stocking rate, pasture carrying capacity, and potential of livestock intensification by integrating data on agricultural census and remote sensing.

scholarly journals An evaluation of the DDH/100mm stocking rate index and an alternative approach to stocking rate estimation

2007 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. B. Hacker ◽  
W. J. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Monthly Rainfall ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Lag Effects ◽  
Reliable Assessment ◽  
Dry Spells ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Western Division ◽  
Stocking Rates

Long-term data for (simulated) daily pasture growth and moving 12-monthly rainfall totals were used to examine the performance of the DDH/100 mm stocking rate index under theoretically ideal management for three locations in the Western Division of NSW. Stocking rate was adjusted either monthly or biannually based on rolling 12-monthly values for either pasture growth or rainfall. Under these ‘ideal’ conditions, monthly values of the index fluctuated widely around the carrying capacity benchmark. In practice, such comparisons would not provide a reliable assessment of the sustainability of the current stocking rate or of the need to adjust stock number to match seasonal conditions. Stocking rates calculated from pasture growth estimates were similar to those derived simply from rainfall and the carrying capacity benchmark, and produced similar levels of pasture utilisation. This ‘benchmark method’ of stocking rate determination thus provides a readily calculated, dynamic benchmark against which actual stocking rate may be compared. Due to lag effects, application of calculated proper stocking rates may lead to excessive pasture utilisation under low rainfall conditions (12-monthly totals less than 120–150 mm for the locations studied or, as a rule of thumb, the 10th percentile). Continuous paddock monitoring and projection of 12-monthly rainfall totals are therefore essential components of sustainable management. Short-term trends in the stocking rate index, driven by rainfall at constant stocking rate, will not provide any generally reliable indication of impending dry spells or feed deficits.

Modelling the effect on stocking rate and lamb production of allowing ewes to graze a dual-purpose wheat crop in southern New South Wales

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1625 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. McGrath ◽  
J. M. Virgona ◽  
M. A. Friend
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Mixed Farming ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Gross Margins

Slow pasture growth rates during winter limit the potential gross margins from autumn and early winter lambing in southern New South Wales (NSW) by limiting stocking rates and/or increasing supplementary feed requirements. Dual-purpose crops can reduce the winter feed gap in mixed-farming systems by increasing the available feed in winter. The simulation software AusFarm was used to model a mixed-farming system at Wagga Wagga with Merino ewes joined to terminal sires and grazing lucerne-subterranean clover pasture over a 41-year period. A paddock of dual-purpose wheat was then added to the system, and ewes were allowed to graze the wheat crop when feed on offer reached 850 kg DM/ha and before GS31. Weaned lambs were sold after late August if lamb growth rates fell below 20 g/head.day, mean lamb weight reached 45 kg or production feeding of lambs was required. Lambing in June resulted in the highest median gross margin whether or not ewes were able to graze the wheat crop during winter. Grazing of a dual-purpose wheat crop resulted in greater proportional increases in gross margins as stocking rate was increased, increased lamb production and reduced supplementary feeding costs, and reduced interannual variability in gross margin returns.

Fertility and seasonal changes in liveweight of Droughtmaster cows grazing a Townsville stylo-spear grass pasture

1971 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 963 ◽  
Author(s):  
LA Edye ◽  
JB Ritson ◽  
KP Haydock ◽  
Davies J Griffiths
Keyword(s):  
Carrying Capacity ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Townsville Stylo ◽  
Calving Rate ◽  
Stocking Rates

An experiment was conducted to examine the fertility and seasonal changes in liveweight of cows grazing a Townsville stylo–spear grass pasture for over 4 years. There were two replicates of 12 treatments, which were factorial combinations of two stocking rates and three levels of superphosphate with and without conservation of hay. All experimental factors influenced cow liveweight. Cows on the pastures receiving superphosphate were heavier throughout the experiment than cows on unfertilized (F0) pasture; in most years there was little difference between pastures receiving superphosphate at 377 kg/ha (F3) and 126 kg/ha per year (F1). Stocking rate and conservation of hay had smaller but significant effects throughout the experiment. There were also marked seasonal fluctuations in cow liveweight associated with the amount and distribution of rainfall. Superphosphate was the only treatment that significantly affected conception and calving rate (F3 > F1, F0 at P < 0.01). Numerical analyses published elsewhere of average cow liveweight before and after mating and of conception rate strongly indicated a direct effect of superphosphate on conception rate that could not be explained by liveweight differences. This effect was primarily associated with the highest rate of superphosphate (F3), the F1 effect being more equivocal. There were significant differences between the three rates of superphosphate in the rate of change of cow liveweight during the first lactation (F3 > F1 > F0 at P < 0.05) but the differences appeared inadequate to influence conception rate markedly. Without fodder conservation, 1 cow unit to 2.4 ha was a safe stocking rate for fertilized pastures. This is three to four times the carrying capacity of unimproved spear grass pastures in the region.

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