Larry C. Forero

The Private Economy of Dehesas and Ranches: Case Studies

This chapter’s objective is to measure and analyze total private income and profitability for five case study privately-owned dehesas and oak woodland ranches. The Agroforestry Accounting System is applied at the farm scale. Results are estimated for individual forestry, game, livestock, crop, and service activities, and for activities aggregated as a whole. The case study application incorporates landowner consumption of private amenities as part of the total income from the dehesa or ranch, showing that these private amenities are the most important contributor to total income, while the contribution from livestock production is low or even negative. Hunting activities show low revenues. Dehesas with a high stocking rate are significantly supported by European Union livestock subsidies, while livestock production and other activities on California ranches are more sensitive to market conditions. Both in Spain and California, real profitability is competitive with alternative non-agricultural investments when amenity consumption and increases in land value are considered. These results are relevant to understanding current and future trends in landowner motivations for land and enterprise investment, and should be considered in conservation policy development.

Using Phenology to Optimize Timing of Mowing and Grazing Treatments for Medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae)☆

ABSTRACT The invasive annual grass medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae [L.] Nevski) poses a substantial threat to the health and function of rangelands across the western United States. On rangelands containing other desirable annual grasses, selective control of medusahead is difficult as this invasive species has traits similar to those of desired species. One key trait that differs between medusahead and other annual grasses is the rate and timing of phenological development. In this study we define management states for medusahead on the basis of the patterns of variation of forage palatability and susceptibility of seed production to defoliation over phenological stages. We integrate these management states with field observations to model the rates and timing of phenology-based management states to identify when targeted grazing or mowing treatments are most appropriate using Dirichlet regression and multistate modeling. While defoliation at any phenological stage from V3 (boot) to R8 (milk stage) was effective in reducing medusahead seed head production, clipping after anthesis almost eliminated seed production. However, the observed decline in crude protein at this point (11–8%) suggests that the transition from R4 (emergence of awns) to R5 (anthesis) is also the point at which medusahead becomes both unpalatable and not adequately nutritious to livestock. As a consequence there was a window of 10 to 15 days when 90% or more of medusahead reproductive tillers are susceptible to grazing but could also support nutritional needs of cattle and sheep to prevent avoidance in diet selection. In contrast, the window of opportunity for mowing, on average, extended for about 35 days. In a given year, the timing in which different medusahead populations entered each phenological stage varied at both the landscape and pasture scale, which creates both challenges and opportunities in using grazing animals and other defoliation mechanisms to control medusahead.

Mineral status of California beef cattle

Abstract Optimal mineral nutrition is required for cattle reproduction, immune function, and structural development. Formal evaluation of the current mineral status of California beef cattle is currently lacking. In 2017, a survey was initiated that evaluated a panel of 10 different minerals in 14 counties across California. Samples were collected from 555 cattle at 50 different ranches. Region of the state significantly affected herd mineral status. Herd use of supplements was also significant, and increased most blood levels of the mineral(s) targeted for supplementation. Forage source was idiosyncratic on its effect of mineral status. Previous blood survey data showed selenium to be widely deficient in California cattle in the 1970s and 1980s, but in this case, it was generally adequate in all areas of California. This indicates a good producer understanding of where supplementation is needed. Copper deficiency was more widespread in the southern region when compared with further north. Zinc deficiency was seen ubiquitously statewide, with 36% of animals being deficient. Manganese has been largely ignored in California. This study is the first known documentation of manganese levels in the state. Sampling found 92% of cattle fell below critical manganese levels. However, further research to better define manganese critical levels is probably warranted. The status of other minerals is presented.

Decision Making Tools: BeefTracker mobile app for tracking and analysis of beef herd pasture use and location1

Abstract Beef Tracker is a web-based mapping platform that provides beef cattle ranchers a tool to demonstrate that cattle production fits within sustainable ecosystems and to provide regional data to update beef sustainability lifecycle analysis. After digitizing pastures, herd data (class and number of animals) are input on a mobile device in a graphical pasture interface, stored in the cloud, and linked via the web to a personal computer for inventory tracking and analysis. Pasture use calculated on an animal basis provides quantifiable data regarding carrying capacity and beef production. This data is sought by the National Beef Cattle Association to provide more accurate inputs for beef sustainability lifecycle analyses. This application is a useful way for large, complex ranching operations to have all employees remain informed as to cattle movements and ranch wide improvement projects. Better yet, as users make changes to their operation in BeefTracker, histories are automatically recorded and stored in the cloud. After initial testing by university range scientists and ranchers, we have enhanced the BeefTracker application to improve automation for increased ease of use. The following have been added: ability to access and edit the BeefTracker livestock inventory while disconnected from WiFi and cell service, ability to represent portions of a pasture in BeefTracker as irrigated and nonirrigated, and ability to report animal unit harvest (by pasture) calculated on an annual basis. This will provide quantifiable data regarding carrying capacity and subsequent beef production to provide more accurate data inputs for the beef sustainability lifecycle analysis, enhanced map synchronization, and improved security to allow a single individual to access multiple livestock operations without needing multiple user IDs and passwords.