Productivity and Economic Return of Three Warm Season Grass Stocker Systems for the Southern Great Plains

Abstract

Production per animal and per acre and input cost and returns were determined on three grazing systems, native range (NR), bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. dactylon] (B), and Old World Bluestem (OWB) during the summers of 1987 through 1989. Each system was managed based on the best recommended practices. Calves obtained from commercial sources in May were randomly assigned to each system. They averaged 497, 491, and 565 lb body weight for each of the 3 yr. All pastures were burned each year to remove old residue, but only B and OWB pastures were fertilized with 70 to 150 Ib of N/acre. Data were analyzed across years as a randomized block using a model containing years, forage, and year x forage. Because stocking rates were greater, B and OWB provided more (P > 0.05) animal units per acre than the NR system. Steers grazing NR and OWB pastures had greater average daily gain (ADG) (P > 0.01) and gain per head than steers grazing B pastures. However, total animal gain per acre was greater (P < 0.01) from B and OWB than from NR pastures. The cost per acre of forage and fencing were $4.34, $33.77, and $27.68 for the NR, B, and OWB pastures, respectively. These costs represented only a third of the total cost of production, which includes interest, labor, marketing, and fixed cost. The NR system had the lowest forage production cost and was profitable all 3 yr, while the OWB system was profitable 2 out of 3 yr and the B system in only 1 yr. Stocker systems based on NR have less variability in return per acre and cost per acre than systems based on B or OWB; however, the potential for large economic returns are greater for systems based on introduced warm season grasses.