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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
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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

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