Open AccessThe impacts of change in forage quality and seasonality on sheep farm profitability
Author(s) -
R. W. Webby,
G. W. Sheath
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
proceedings of the new zealand grassland association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1179-4577
pISSN - 0369-3902
DOI - 10.33584/jnzg.2000.62.2380
Subject(s) - seasonality , hectare , pasture , forage , gross margin , agriculture , environmental science , dry season , grazing , geography , agronomy , biology , ecology
benefits of altering the quality and seasonality of pasture supply in sheep farming enterprises. Three representative regions in New Zealand were studied; winter-cold and summer-wet (e.g., Southland, Otago and Central North Island); winter-cold, summer-dry (e.g., South Island East Coast); and winter-warm, summer-dry (e.g., North Island East Coast). Two different lamb-finishing enterprises were also analysed within each region; a conventional system where the lamb supply pattern was aligned with feed availability, and a supply contract system where more lambs were supplied for processing outside the normal season. Improving the seasonality of feed supply increased gross margins by $26 to $126 per hectare depending on the region. The greatest gains from improved seasonality occurred in the winter-cold scenarios. Improving forage quality had a more positive impact than improved seasonality changes with gross margins increasing by $53 to $148 per hectare depending on region. Overall the impact of the forage supply and forage quality changes was similar for the two lamb-finishing systems. Keywords: lamb-finishing, pasture production, pasture quality, systems analysis