Get reliable rangeland science

Economically Optimal Stocking Rates: A Bioeconomic Grazing Model
Author
Ritten, John P.
Bastian, Christopher T.
Frasier, W. Marshall
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
2010-07-01
Body

A dynamic bioeconomic model that examines economically optimal stocking rate decisions while taking into account changes in forage availability is presented. The model presented here focuses on economically optimal stocking decisions while taking into account changes in the forage resource. The model is parameterized for a stocker operation in central Wyoming. Regardless of the scenario analyzed, the general rule of 50% utilization is determined to be an economically sound management strategy. The factors most heavily influencing economically optimal stocking rate decisions are forage growth rates and the Michaelis Constant. Both grain prices and cattle prices impact financial returns yet do not directly impact optimal stocking decisions by cattle producers.  The Rangeland Ecology & Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.2111/08-253.1
Additional Information
Ritten, J. P., Bastian, C. T., & Frasier, W. M. (2010). Economically optimal stocking rates: a bioeconomic grazing model. Rangeland Ecology & Management, 63(4), 407-414.
ISSN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/642801
Journal Volume
63
Journal Number
4
Journal Pages
407-414
Collection
Rangeland Ecology & Management (REM)
Journal Name
Rangeland Ecology & Management
Keywords
dynamic optimization
optimal stocking rates
range economics
stocker cattle