Mechanization Costs in Walloon Livestock Farms

Abstract

Accountings data from 255 livestock farms have been analyzed in order to determinate their mechanization cost. A weighted average value of each part of this cost has been calculated after a classification of the inquired farms. This classification is based on the technical orientation, the size and finally the localization of the farm. The weighing factor depends on the relative importance of each group at the regional level and was determined through the national statistical data. Major differences appear between farms specialized in milk or beef meat production. With more than 750 €/ha, dairy farms need more mechanization than ‘beef meat’ farms which only spend 440 €/ha in average in 2013. The use of external mechanization, mainly through contractor's works, is quite important and represents between 30 and 34% of the total mechanization expenses. We notice that dairy farms with higher gross margin require also higher mechanization costs. In situation of low milk price, the limit where higher mechanization costs are not compensated by higher gross margin is almost achieved. For ‘meat beef’ farms higher mechanization costs are not compensated by higher gross margin. The management of these two kinds of production must be clearly different.