A Case Study Evaluating Economic Implications of Two Grazing Strategies for Cattle Ranches in Northwest Argentina

In the Argentinean Chaco Arido region, cattle production based on cow–calf operations is the principal source of agricultural income, and rangeland is the main forage source for cattle. Traditional grazing strategy (TGS, high stocking rate and continuous grazing) is considered the main cause of curr...

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Main Authors: Quiroga, Raul Emiliano, Blanco, Lisandro Javier, Ferrando, Carlos Alberto
Format: Artículo
Language:Inglés
Published: Elsevier 2021
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/9411
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550742409500619
https://doi.org/10.2111/08-044.1
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author Quiroga, Raul Emiliano
Blanco, Lisandro Javier
Ferrando, Carlos Alberto
author_browse Blanco, Lisandro Javier
Ferrando, Carlos Alberto
Quiroga, Raul Emiliano
author_facet Quiroga, Raul Emiliano
Blanco, Lisandro Javier
Ferrando, Carlos Alberto
author_sort Quiroga, Raul Emiliano
collection INTA Digital
description In the Argentinean Chaco Arido region, cattle production based on cow–calf operations is the principal source of agricultural income, and rangeland is the main forage source for cattle. Traditional grazing strategy (TGS, high stocking rate and continuous grazing) is considered the main cause of current rangeland degradation. Research shows that rangeland and cattle production improvements are possible when using a conservative grazing strategy (CGS, moderate stocking rate and rest rotation grazing). The aim of this research was to compare the effects of TGS and CGS applications on economic results for a cattle ranch in the region. To achieve this objective we used an approach that included estimations of forage and cattle production, and economic results. The study period was 1972/73–1983/84. Results showed that during the study period forage production and herd size were almost doubled with CGS, but maintained with TGS. The difference in net income between CGS and TGS (in Argentinean pesos, $), increased linearly from negative (-$2.88 · ha-1) to positive ($4.48 · ha-1) in the first 4 yr, and then was maintained at positive values (averaging $4.48 · ha-1). Data suggest that CGS leads to higher productivity and better economic results than TGS in the medium and long terms.
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spelling INTA94112021-05-21T12:05:59Z A Case Study Evaluating Economic Implications of Two Grazing Strategies for Cattle Ranches in Northwest Argentina Quiroga, Raul Emiliano Blanco, Lisandro Javier Ferrando, Carlos Alberto Ganado Bovino Pastoreo Sistemas de Pastoreo Análisis Económico Forrajes Cattle Grazing Grazing Systems Economic Analysis Forage Región Noroeste, Argentina In the Argentinean Chaco Arido region, cattle production based on cow–calf operations is the principal source of agricultural income, and rangeland is the main forage source for cattle. Traditional grazing strategy (TGS, high stocking rate and continuous grazing) is considered the main cause of current rangeland degradation. Research shows that rangeland and cattle production improvements are possible when using a conservative grazing strategy (CGS, moderate stocking rate and rest rotation grazing). The aim of this research was to compare the effects of TGS and CGS applications on economic results for a cattle ranch in the region. To achieve this objective we used an approach that included estimations of forage and cattle production, and economic results. The study period was 1972/73–1983/84. Results showed that during the study period forage production and herd size were almost doubled with CGS, but maintained with TGS. The difference in net income between CGS and TGS (in Argentinean pesos, $), increased linearly from negative (-$2.88 · ha-1) to positive ($4.48 · ha-1) in the first 4 yr, and then was maintained at positive values (averaging $4.48 · ha-1). Data suggest that CGS leads to higher productivity and better economic results than TGS in the medium and long terms. En la región del Chaco Árido Argentino, la ganadería de cría es la actividad agropecuaria más difundida. Esta actividad se basa principalmente en el forraje que proporciona el pastizal nativo. La estrategia de pastoreo tradicional (EPT, consistente de alta carga animal y pastoreo continuo), se considera la causa principal del estado de degradación actual del pastizal nativo. Varios estudios han mostrado que el mejoramiento de la productividad del pastizal y del ganado es posible cuando se utiliza una estrategia de pastoreo conservativa (EPC, consistente en carga animal moderada y un pastoreo que permita descanso del pastizal en época de crecimiento). El objetivo de esta investigación fue comparar el efecto de la EPT y la EPC sobre el aspecto económico de un rancho ganadero de la región del Chaco Árido. Para lograr dicho objetivo se hizo un análisis en distintas etapas, estimación de la producción forrajera, estimación de la producción ganadera, y estimación del resultado económico. El periodo de estudio fue desde 1972/73 hasta 1983/84. Los resultados mostraron que durante el periodo de estudio la producción de forraje y el tamaño del rodeo se duplicaron para la EPC, mientras que para EPT se mantuvieron. La diferencia en el resultado económico neto entre la EPC y la EPT (en pesos Argentinos, $), se incrementó linealmente desde valores negativos (-$2.88 · ha-1) a valores positivos ($4.48 · ha-1) en los cuatro primeros años, para luego mantenerse en un valor promedio de $4.48 · ha-1. Los resultados sugieren que la EPC permite obtener una productividad más alta y mejores resultados económicos que la EPT a mediano y largo plazo. EEA La Rioja Fil: Quiroga, Raul Emiliano. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Catamarca; Argentina Fil: Blanco, Lisandro Javier. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Rioja; Argentina Fil: Ferrando, Carlos Alberto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria La Rioja; Argentina 2021-05-21T12:01:42Z 2021-05-21T12:01:42Z 2009-09 info:ar-repo/semantics/artículo info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/9411 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550742409500619 1550-7424 https://doi.org/10.2111/08-044.1 eng info:eu-repo/semantics/restrictedAccess application/pdf Elsevier Rangeland Ecology & Management 62 (5) : 435-444 (September 2009)
spellingShingle Ganado Bovino
Pastoreo
Sistemas de Pastoreo
Análisis Económico
Forrajes
Cattle
Grazing
Grazing Systems
Economic Analysis
Forage
Región Noroeste, Argentina
Quiroga, Raul Emiliano
Blanco, Lisandro Javier
Ferrando, Carlos Alberto
A Case Study Evaluating Economic Implications of Two Grazing Strategies for Cattle Ranches in Northwest Argentina
title A Case Study Evaluating Economic Implications of Two Grazing Strategies for Cattle Ranches in Northwest Argentina
title_full A Case Study Evaluating Economic Implications of Two Grazing Strategies for Cattle Ranches in Northwest Argentina
title_fullStr A Case Study Evaluating Economic Implications of Two Grazing Strategies for Cattle Ranches in Northwest Argentina
title_full_unstemmed A Case Study Evaluating Economic Implications of Two Grazing Strategies for Cattle Ranches in Northwest Argentina
title_short A Case Study Evaluating Economic Implications of Two Grazing Strategies for Cattle Ranches in Northwest Argentina
title_sort case study evaluating economic implications of two grazing strategies for cattle ranches in northwest argentina
topic Ganado Bovino
Pastoreo
Sistemas de Pastoreo
Análisis Económico
Forrajes
Cattle
Grazing
Grazing Systems
Economic Analysis
Forage
Región Noroeste, Argentina
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12123/9411
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550742409500619
https://doi.org/10.2111/08-044.1
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