Studies in Ranch Economics

Abstract

Studies in ranch economics and related problems comprise a relatively new and fertile field for agricultural research workers. Not only is this an inviting field for the research economist, but also for the animal husbandman, the botanist, the pathologist, the experimental breeder, the chemist, and the nutrition specialist. In fact it is the combined and correlated efforts of the several types of specialists that is necessary to render the industry the maximum of research service. Such work was initiated in Texas about 1915 when the governing board established a Ranch Experiment Station in a typical ranching area on the Edwards Plateau. The problem was (1) to focus the activities of the different research specialists-the chemist, the botanist, the entomologist, and the animal husbandman-on the varying problems of the range livestock industry; (2) to coordinate the research activities of these physical and biological research workers with those of the research agricultural economist; (3) to find the most important of the ranch problems; (4) to develop research methods especially suited to the different studies to be made; and (5) to make headway with appropriate projects. Some of the major objectives of ranch economics research, considered from the point of view of the industry as well as that of the investigator, are: (1) To study with a view of improvement and better utilization of the carrying capacity of our ranges; (2) To improve the quantity and also the quality of our ranch products; (3) To effect a consistent way to lower production and marketing costs;