Effect of conserving pasture as silage on the productivity and profitability of grazing steers

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 343
Author(s):  
KD Greathead ◽  
DJ Barker ◽  
R McTaggart ◽  
F Scott
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rates ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Sale Price ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Poor Growth ◽  
Low Weight ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Stocking Rates

The productivity and economics of annual land use systems were evaluated by studying beef steers, continuous grazing and spring feed conserved as silage. One treatment measured the production of steers grazing annual pasture continuously from weaning in December until slaughter 12 months later. In the other treatment, cattle grazed similar pasture from December until slaughter in July at 15 months of age but in autumn were fed silage made from the spring growth on the same area. There were 2 stocking rates (0.4 and 0.5 ha per steer) and 2 replicates of the 4 treatments; the experiment ran continuously for 3 years. In all years the pasture only system cost less and produced, on average, 100 kg more carcass per ha than did the silage system and at current values was more profitable. Only when autumn pasture growth was greater than normal did the profitability of the silage system approach the pasture only system. In both biological and economic terms the pasture only system was less variable than the silage system because of the buffering effect of consistently abundant spring pastures. In years of poor growth of pasture in autumn, the silage treatment did not achieve the objective of producing premium carcasses in July, owing to their low weight and fatness. There were wide variations among years in patterns of pasture growth, and hence gross margins. Gross margin analyses were most sensitive to changes in sale price of cattle and then to changes in the cost of making and feeding silage; they were least sensitive to interest rates.

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.

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.

scholarly journals Produkcja wołowiny w Polsce oraz czynniki determinujące jej opłacalność

2017 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 112-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldona Skarżyńska
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Direct Costs ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Sale Price ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Beef Cattle Production ◽  
Main Determinants ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Main Factor

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the economic performance and efficiency of bovine animals production and identify the main determinants of such production profitability. The results of the study were analyzed in three groups of farms divided by quartiles of gross margin, i.e. in the best, middle and weakest. The results were analyzed as average in three years. The main factor differentiating the economic effects from the production of beef cattle was the costs incurred, the impact of the sale price was lower. The decisive impact was direct costs, which in successive groups of farms increased, with regard to the best of farms in the medium ones were higher by 40.2% and the weakest ones – by 82.0%. The level of direct costs was determined mainly by the exchange cost of the herd and also by the cost of feed. Beef cattle production was economically effectiveness only in the best farms, the profitability index was 111.9%, while in the medium and weakest group of farms at 88.8 and 72.4% respectively.

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.

Divergent genotypes for fatness or residual feed intake in Angus cattle. 7. Low-fat and low-RFI cows produce more liveweight and better gross margins than do high-fat and high-RFI cows when managed under the same conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
L. Anderton ◽  
J. M. Accioly ◽  
K. J. Copping ◽  
M. P. B. Deland ◽  
M. L. Hebart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Residual Feed Intake ◽  
Low Fat ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Breeding Values ◽  
Angus Cattle ◽  
Estimated Breeding Values ◽  
Supplementary Feed ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Stocking Rates

The present paper focuses on the economic evaluation of the observed differences in maternal productivity of different genetic lines in Angus cattle that were managed under contrasting nutritional regimes typical of southern Australia. Five hundred Angus cows were managed concurrently at two locations in southern Australia. On each site, the cows were managed under the following two different nutritional treatments: High and Low, to simulate different stocking rates. Cows selected for a divergence in either carcass rib-fat depth or residual feed intake based on mid-parent estimated breeding values for those traits, were allocated in replicate groups to either High- or Low-nutrition treatments. By design, the supplementary feeding regime was the same for the High and Low genetic lines to ensure genetic differences were not confounded with management differences. Animal productivity results from the experiment were used as input data to evaluate the economic performance of the four genetic lines under the two nutritional treatments. Two methods were used; the first was a gross-margin calculation of income minus variable costs as AU$ per breeding cow for a 1000-cow herd; the second was a whole-farm linear programming model maximising the gross margin. Stocking rates were optimised by matching the energy requirements for the whole herd with the energy available from pasture and supplementary feed on a representative 700-ha farm. Using the two methods of calculating gross margin (per cow and optimised per hectare), including examination of sensitivity to changes in prices of cattle and supplementary feed, the present study demonstrated that genetically leaner cows due to selection of low fat or low residual feed intake, had gross margins superior to those of genetically fatter cows. They generated more income by selling more liveweight due to heavier weights and higher stocking rates. The results are affected by the management system utilised and some confounding with growth (leaner genetic lines had higher growth estimated breeding values), but will assist producers to make more informed decisions about how to manage animal breeding and nutritional interactions.

scholarly journals Productivity and profitability of forage options for beef production in the subtropics of northern Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 332 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Bowen ◽  
F. Chudleigh ◽  
S. Buck ◽  
K. Hopkins
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Grass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Lablab Purpureus ◽  
Sale Price ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Forage Crops ◽  
C4 Grass ◽  
Butterfly Pea ◽  
Perennial Legume ◽  
Gross Margins

This study measured forage biomass production, diet quality, cattle liveweight gain, and economic performance of six forage types at 21 sites across 12 commercial beef cattle properties in the Fitzroy River catchment of Queensland during 2011–2014 (28 annual datasets in total). The forages were annual forage crops (oats (Avena sativa), sorghum (Sorghum spp.) and lablab (Lablab purpureus)), sown perennial legume-grass pastures (leucaena-grass (Leucaena leucocephala spp. glabrata + perennial, tropical grass (C4) species) and butterfly pea-grass (Clitoria ternatea + perennial, C4, grass species)), and perennial, C4, grass pastures. The sown forages resulted in 1.2–2.6 times the annual cattle liveweight gain per ha than perennial grass pastures. Annual cattle liveweight gain per ha, forage establishment and management costs, and cattle price margin (sale price less purchase price, $/kg liveweight) all influenced gross margin, however, none was an overriding factor. The average gross margins ($/ha.annum) calculated using contractor rates, ranked from highest to lowest, were: leucaena-grass pastures, 181; butterfly pea-grass pastures, 140; oats, 102; perennial grass, 96; sorghum, 24; and lablab, 18. It was concluded that the tendency towards greater average gross margins for perennial legume-grass pastures than for annual forage crops or perennial grass pastures was the result of the combined effects of lower average forage costs and high cattle productivity.

scholarly journals INTEGRATING DAIRYING WITH DAIRY BEEF AS A DIVERSIFICATION OPTION IN THE SOUTHERN SOUTH ISLAND

1989 ◽  
pp. 127-130
Author(s):  
C.L. Crabbe
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cow ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Past Season ◽  
The Past ◽  
Management Flexibility ◽  
Gross Margins ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Beef Market

The integration of dairy beef with daitying in the southern South Island is a successful means of increasing stocking rates to maximise pasture utilisation when an increase in dairy cow numbers is not practical or economic. However the 1987-88 gross margins illustrate the vagaries of the beef market and the significant effect the schedule can have on the viability of integrating dairy beef even though there was considerable optimism at the start of the dairy season. In previous years the gross margin for bull beef, when the schedule has been about $2.OO/kg was closer to $lOOO/ha During the past season the nursecow option looks the most favourable in economic terms, allows for more management flexibility than bull beef and achieves the aim of maximising pasture utilisation. Keywords: dairy beef, dairying, bull beef

Stocking rate trials in Ankole, Uganda: I. Weight gain of Ankole steers at intermediate and heavy stocking rates under different managements

1974 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. Harrington ◽  
D. Pratchett
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Rotational Grazing ◽  
Brachiaria Decumbens ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Stocking Rates

SUMMARYA series of stocking rate trials running for differing periods between 1961 and 1972 are summarized. Weight gains of steers grazed at 2·4, 1·2, 0·8 and 0·6 ha/300 kg animal on Cymbopogon/Hyparrhenia/Themeda pasture are detailed. Subtreatments included continuous and rotational grazing and the removal of the unpalatable Cymbopogon afronardus.Weight gains at 0·6 ha/animal were higher than a linear relationship between stocking rate expressed as animals/ha and weight gain would predict. This was ascribed to the dominance of the high quality grass Brachiaria decumbens at this grazing pressure.Rotational grazing was less productive than continuous grazing, because C. afronardus increased more rapidly under this management, but there was less soil erosion. Removal of C. afronardus increased cattle growth rates and gains/ha by over 40% at 0·6 ha/animal. The cost of clearing this weed should be recovered in 2 years from a commercial cattle ranch. A grazing pressure of ca. 0·8 ha/animal is expected to maximize long-term profits on C. afronardus-free Ankole rangeland and in 3 years in this trial average gains of 0·29 kg/day/animal were achieved. This was an annual production level of 131 kg/ha/annum, which compared with 53 kg/ha at 2·4 ha/animal and 143 kg/ha at 0·6 ha/animal.

Beef production from native pastures sown to fine-stem stylo in the Burnett region of south-eastern Queensland

1979 ◽  
Vol 19 (97) ◽  
pp. 140 ◽  
Author(s):  
EJ Bowen ◽  
KG Rickert
Keyword(s):  
Stocking Rate ◽  
Management Options ◽  
North West ◽  
Heteropogon Contortus ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Continuous Grazing ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Stocking Rates

At Gayndah, south-eastern Queensland, a native Heteropogon contortus pasture, sown to fine-stem stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis var. intermedia), and invaded by red natal grass (Rhynchelytrum repens), was grazed by weaner steers from June 1 in three treatments : heavy and light put-and-take grazing for five years from 1971, and set-stocked at 1.37 animals ha-1 for two years from 1974. Weight gains in the put-and-take treatments were not significantly different. The mean annual liveweight gain was 167 kg animal-1 at a mean equivalent stocking rate of 1.47 animals ha-1. Over the same period unsown native pasture, cleared of timber, gave a gain of 62 kg animal-1 at 0.62 animals ha-1. In all seasons except summer, weight gains declined linearly with stocking rate and in 1972-73, with a mean equivalent stocking rate of 2.66 animals ha-1, the annual gain was almost halved. When equivalent stocking rates were 0.9, 0.9, 1.8 and 1.2 animals ha-1 in winter, spring, summer and autumn, the respective gains were 4, 73, 65 and 45 kg animal-1. The set-stocked treatment had a mean annual gain of 147 kg animal-1. At another site 116 km north-west of Gayndah, two paddocks of Heteropogon contortus and fine-stem stylo were set-stocked with weaners over four years. One paddock had four applications of superphosphate of 250 kg ha-1. The mean annual liveweight gains were significantly different, being 154 and 143 kg animal-1 in the fertilized and unfertilized paddocks at mean stocking rates of 0.83 and 0.74 animals ha-1, respectively. In a grazing protection experiment the density of fine-stem stylo declined exponentially with an accumulation of pasture dry matter in spring and summer. Heavy continuous grazing, an annual hay cut and an accidental fire all increased the density of fine-stem stylo. Management options to maintain the density of fine-stem stylo and the relative importance of the legume and grass to animal production are discussed.

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