Cattle grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) infected with the endophytic fungus, Acremonium coenophialum, typically experience toxicity symptoms, resulting in poor animal performance. However, potential exists for compensatory gains during subsequent finishing. This study provides an economic analysis of three grazing alternatives along with subsequent feedlot performance. The pasture alternatives were endophyte‐infected ‘Kentucky 31’ tall fescue (IF); IF interseeded with ladino clover (Trifolium repens L., IFL); and endophyte‐free ‘Missouri 96’ tall fescue (MO). Three years of agronomic data from pastures and animal performance data from steers (Bos taurus) were collected. Alternatives were compared via budgeting of returns above costs. In the grazing phase, MO was the most profitable alternative budgeted for 2 out of 3 yr, but IFL was the most profitable alternative on the average, and IF was least profitable all 3 yr. In the feedlot phase, cattle that previously grazed IF were most profitable on the average and for 2 out of 3 yr. For the whole program, including both grazing and feedlot phases, IFL was most profitable in all 3 yr. Retaining ownership of grazed cattle through the feedlot phase increased returns for 2 out of 3 yr for IFL and MO and for all 3 yr for IF. When whole‐farm analysis was based on 3‐yr average animal performance data, IFL was most profitable with and without retained ownership of grazed steers. MO was more profitable than IF when steers were sold after grazing, but IF was slightly more profitable than MO when producers retained ownership during finishing. Retaining ownership increased returns for all three alternatives. Research Question A recent survey of forage and animal science extension specialists in 21 states concluded that over 90% of the tall fescue pastures in most states were infected with an endophyte fungus, causing annual losses estimated to exceed $600 million. Forage producers might increase their income by replacing infected fescue with endophyte‐free fescue or by using a legume to dilute the toxicity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative profitability of alternative fescue grazing systems and subsequent feedlot performance. Cattle could be sold after grazing or the forage producer could retain ownership in the feedlot. Literature Summary Inferior performance of animals grazing endophyte‐infected fescue during the summer is well documented. Subsequent feedlot performance has been somewhat variable, however. Study Description Three alternatives were evaluated (i) endophyte‐infected Kentucky 31 tall fescue (IF), (ii) endophyte‐infected Kentucky 31 tall fescue interseeded with ladino clover (IFL), and (iii) endophyte‐free Missouri 96 tall fescue (MO). Stocker steers were grazed on pastures and then placed in a feedlot in three different years at the Southeast Kansas Branch Experiment Station. Budgeting of returns above costs was used to measure the relative profitability of the three systems. Based on the assumption that the producer has IF a...
To remain competitive, dairy operatoins need to continue to improve production efficiency and manage costs. Kansas Farm Management Association data from 1991 to 1995 were used to measure technical, economic, and overall efficiencies for 50 dairy operations in Kansas. On average, the farms showed .87 technical, .71 economic, and .67 overall efficiency. The latter was related negatively to labor, capital, feed, and fuel and utility expenses per cow. Veterinarian expenses were related positively to overall efficiency. Overall efficiency was the most sensitive to changes in feed expenses per cow, emphasizing the importance of controlling this cost. Results also indicated that a larger proportion of overall inefficiency was due to cost control problems than to an inefficient herd size; Dairy Day, 1997 To remain competitive, dairy operations effectively. need to continue to improve production efficiency and manage costs. Kansas Farm ManageTo remain competitive, dairy operations ment Association data from 1991 to 1995 were need to continue to improve production effiused to measure technical, economic, and overall ciency and manage costs. One of the key ways efficiencies for 50 dairy operations in Kansas.to accomplish these objectives is the adoption of On average, the farms showed .87 technical, .71 new technologies. However, before new economic, and .67 overall efficiency. The latter technologies can be adopted, information perwas related negatively to labor, capital, feed, and taining to the current level of efficiency and cost fuel and utility expenses per cow. Veterinarian of production is needed. High-cost producers expenses were related positively to overall need to examine their strategic position before efficiency. Overall efficiency was the most expanding or implementing new technologies. sensitive to changes in feed expenses per cow,The objective of this study was to examine the emphasizing the importance of controlling this efficiency of a sample of dairy operations in cost. Results also indicated that a larger proporKansas. tion of overall inefficiency was due to cost control problems than to an inefficient herd size.Procedures
The economic feasibility of using composted manure from western Kansas feedlots in combination with commercial N in the production of irrigated grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] was evaluated. Effective disposal of large quantities of manure from large scale feedlots has been a concern. Yield data from a west central Kansas experiment station study was used to estimate a quadratic production function where grain sorghum yield is a function of compost and commercial N application rates. Four rates of commercial N (0, 55, 110, and 165 lb/acre) and five rates of composted feedlot manure (0, 0.9, 1.8, 3.6, and 7.2 tons dry matter per acre) in a factorial arrangement were applied to irrigated grain sorghum. The production function estimate was used to determine the combination of composted manure and commercial N, which maximized net returns. The results suggest that a compost application rate of 1.5 tons/acre with 110 lb/acre of commercial N would be economically feasible when the price of commercial N, including application charges, is $0.15/lb and the price of compost is $7.68/ton. Once the price of compost reaches $9.50/ ton compost use is no longer economically feasible. Research Question Disposal of manure is a concern for the feedlot industry. The use of composted animal manure has been suggested as a substitute for commercial N fertilizer. This study evaluates the economic feasibility of using composted manure as an N source in combination with commercial N for producing grain sorghum. Literature Summary Previous studies of composted animal manure have examined the agronomic value of composted manure as an N source rather than its economic feasibility. It has been found that increasing rates of composted manure or commercial N both increased yields, but each partially substituted for the other when combined. Study Description Yield data from a west central Kansas experiment station are used to determine the economic feasibility of compost applications using a production function. Four rates of commercial N (0, 55, 110, and 165 lb/acre) and five rates of composted feedlot manure (0, 0.9, 1.8, 3.6, and 7.2 tons dry matter per acre) were applied to irrigated grain sorghum on a Ulysses silt loam. The production function is incorporated into a net return function to determine the optimal combination of compost and commercial N application rates which maximizes net returns to the farm manager. Applied Questions What combination of compost and commercial N maximizes net returns to grain sorghum? The most economic combination of commercial N and compost was determined for a range of input costs. The results indicate that some use of compost is economically feasible but is highly dependent upon compost costs. When the price of commercial N is $0.Wlb, and the price of compost is $7.68/ton including custom application charges, the highest net return is generated by using 110 lb/acre of commercial N and 1.5 tons/acre of compost. When the price of commercial N is $0.30/lb, the amount of compost used will rise to ...
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