John P. Workman

An economic analysis of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) control.

Black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) control by poisoning with zinc phosphide was not economically feasible in the Conata Basin of South Dakota. Economic analyses were conducted from U.S. Forest Service and rancher viewpoints. Control programs were analyzed with annual maintenance or complete retreatment of initially treated areas to prevent prairie dog repopulation and, except for annual maintenance at low repopulation rates, were unable to recover initial control costs. At a prairie dog repopulation rate of 30% per year (the most realistic projection), prairie dog control was not economically feasible and annual maintenance control costs were greater than the annual value of forage gained. Control benefit was forage gained on treated areas. With an increase of approximately 51 kg/ha of cattle forage, over 7 ha of initial prairie dog control were required to gain 1 AUM per year for the life of the treatment. Prairie dogs have been controlled on western rangelands for many years (Merriam 1902), yet there has never been an economic analysis of any control method. While control has sometimes been justified on the basis of reducing the potential of a plague outbreak among prairie dog populations, competition between domestic livestock and prairie dogs for range forage has been the main justification for control. Research efforts have investigated this competition (Taylor and Loftfield 1924, Hansen and Gold 1977), but no effort has been made to evaluate the costs and benefits of eliminating or decreasing prairie dog populations. Early literature on prairie dog-livestock competition was negative. Merriam ( 1902) and Bell (1920) described losses in crops and range forage due to prairie dogs and recommended prairie dog elimination. In northern Arizona, Zuni prairie dogs (C. gunnisoni zuniensis) reportedly consumed 80% of the total annual forage production and seriously competed with cattle for available forage, especially during droughts (Taylor and Loftfield 1924). Recent information suggests that black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys Zudovicianus) compete with cattle for forage, but possibly not enough to warrant control measures (Klatt and Hein 1978). Most plants consumed by black-tailed prairie dogs are potential cattle forage (Kelso 1939, Bonham and Lerwick 1976). Summers and Linder (1978) stated that important food species for blacktailed prairie dogs in the Conata Basin of South Dakota were buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides), scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcae coccinea), threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia), blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis), and western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii). Hansen and Gold (1977) found sedges made up the largest percentage of the diet for black-tailed prairie dogs in northeastern Colorado and the second largest percentage in cattle diets. In their study, cattle and prairie dog diets were most similar during spring. Hansen and Gold (1977) estimated that prairie dogs consumed

The economics of sheep predation in southwestern Utah.

Ten sheep ranches in southwestern Utah were chosen for a verification study ot sheep losses during 1972- 1975. Using the ratio of verified predator kills to total lamb carcasses discovered, total lamb loss to predators was estimated. Predation accounted for 5.8% of total lambs docked or 62% of the total lamb loss. Coyotes made 94% of all predator kills. For the 10 herds (1 Y71- 1974) direct income loss due to lamb predation averaged

Factors affecting Utah ranch prices.

2,800 per herd: for a three-herd subsample (197l- 1975) direct income loss averaged \.3,500 per herd. Applying our study rate of predation to the entire Southwest region ot Utah gave an estimate of 14,900 lambs killed by predators and a direct income loss of ‘ii419,OOO. In addition, the region suffered indirect or multiplier losses of

Economic optimum big sagebrush control for increasing crested wheatgrass production.

1,166,000 to ‘4 i ,Xi6,000 during the -l years studied. Further data needs in predation economics could be achieved by integrating predation loss, predator population, and predator control data into a standard production function model. Recent profit reductions have resulted in 10% annual decrcascs in Utah’s sheep numbers (Statistical Reporting Service lOY:-,) and have increased the sheepman’s incentive to prevent IiLestock predation losses. Simultaneously, predatorcontrol has become increasingly complex. Early predator control research ~3.4 aimed primarily at discovering methods of eradicating co) otes. the most troublesome predator (Bailey I W-F, 190X). IMore recently. financial relief through economically efficient predator control has come into increased contlict with interests promoting esthetic. recreational, and ecolo#al values associated with a viable predator population. To det’ine the magnitude of the predation problem and to pro\‘ide a data base for an economic analysis, a verit’ication study ofsheep loss was initiated in March I972 in the Cedar-City ;II~‘;I of Utah (Bowns et al. 1973a, 1973b: Davenport et al. I ‘JY’_J ). A study requiring examination of each sheep carcass was \utli~~\ 4r’e rc\cxch d~,soc131t‘. Ikpartn~ent ot Range Scwncc. Colorado St~tc U~I~CI

Fee hunting in the Texas Trans Pecos area: a descriptive and economic analysis

A total of 341 Utah rural land sales occurring between 1980 and 1987 were analyzed to identify and quantify the determinants of Utah rangeland and ranch prices. Two factors statistically influenced average sale price (

Economic feasibility and management considerations in range revegetation.

/hectare and/or

Preliminary Economic Evaluation of Cattle Distribution Practices on Mountain Rangelands.

/AUM): number of hectares sold and whether buildings were included in the sale. Regression analysis incorporated statistically significant (P < 0.05) explanatory variables into a predictive equation that expressed total ranch sale price as a function of number of deeded AUMs, building value, year and month of sale, number of leased AUMs, distance to nearest town, recreation influence, and size of parcel sold. The regression model produced an adjusted R(2) = 0.91. Value of buildings and number of deeded AUMs explained most of the variability in total ranch sale price.

Improved Livestock Distribution with Fertilizer: A Preliminary Economic Evaluation (Mejoramiento de la Distribucion del Ganado con Fertilizacion Evaluacion Economica Preliminar)

AbStnCt An approach was developed for estimating the economic optimum rate of initial overstory kill for increasing seasonal forage availability. The model was formulated using: (1) a biological production function relating understory production to initial kill percentage, (2) a derived demand function for seasonal forage value, and (3) a cost of overstory kill function for each control method. The specific optimum solution will vary irith the situation; however, the general model may be applied to any ranching situation where understory forage production is constrained by undesirable overstory vegetation. The model was iilustrated using the big sagebrush-crested wheatgrass vegetation type on a Utah cow-calf-yearling operation with prescribed burning, 2,4-D spray ing, and tebuthiuron application as control methods. For the ranch analyzed, a big sagebrush kill rate between 92 and 100% is optimal depending on the derived demand and cost-of-kill functions used. Kill rates that differ from the optimum caused significant opportunity costs to be incurred. Investments in control of undesirable vegetation to increase forage production have the potential to increase red meat production, ranch profits, and other benefits to society such as reduced soil erosion. To achieve such benefits requires careful planning, implementation, and monitoring of vegetation control projects. The purpose of this study was to investigate and develop usable mathematical and tabular approaches for estimating the optimum (profit maximizing) rate of initial overstory kill for increasing seasonal forage availability on a given ranch. The focus is how the ranch should approach biological and economic decisions for the alleviation of an identified seasonal forage bottleneck in a yearlong ranch operation. The biological relationship between overstory dominance and understory production has been documented for many vegetation types (Ffolliott and Clary 1982, Bartlett and Betters 1983). The analytical approach examined in this study was illustrated using big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.)-crested wheatgrass (Agropyron deserrorum (Fisch. ex Link) Schult., A. crisratum (L.) Gaertn.) vegetation relationships in a Utah cow-calf-yearling operation. The rate of big sagebrush reestablishment on a specific site depends on the percentage initial kill, subsequent grazing management, ecological adaptation of sagebrush to the site, and reinvasion of sagebrush from outside the treatment area (Pechanec et al. 1965, Hull and Klomp 1966, Johnson and Payne 1968, Winward 1983). Benefits from brush reduction include improved range condition, increased forage and livestock production, ease of working cattle, increased feed for wildlife, and improved watershed conditions (McDaniel 1980). Multiple use management may dictate that not all big sagebrush be removed. However, Evans et al. (1979) examined the biological relationships and recommended

Optimization of range improvements on sage-brush and pinyon-juniper sites.

Previous studies of fee hunting have focused only on fee-hunting ranches with little consideration given to ranches that choose not to operate fee-hunting enterprises. Our study compares feed-hunting with non-fee-hunting ranches. The most important reasons given for engaging in fee hunting were increased income, trespass control, and prevention of nuisance requests for free hunts. The most important reason offered for choosing not to have fee hunting was to keep the ranch available for hunting by family and friends. The potential exists for a large expansion of private land fee hunting by current non-fee-hunting ranches. Ranchers with fee hunting were more likely to manage the grazing resources, wildlife population, and wildlife habitat than non-fee-hunting ranchers. The typical hunting enterprise in the Texas Trans Pecos ares provided a total annual net revenue of about

Price elasticity of demand for beef and range improvement decisions.

7,900. Average annual net grazing returns per livestock animal unit were smaller on fee-hunting ranches but fee-hunting revenue offset the difference. The fee-hunting enterprises also reduced risk by providing a second source of cash returns.