PRODUCTIVITY AND ECONOMIC RETURN OF 3 WARM-SEASON GRASS STOCKER SYSTEMS FOR THE SOUTHERN GREAT-PLAINS

Production per animal and per acre and input cost and returns were det ermined on three grazing systems, native range (NR), bermudagrass [Cyn odon dactylon (L.) Pers. var. dactylon] (B), and Old World Bluestem (O WB) during the summers of 1987 through 1989. Each system was managed b ased on the best recommended practices. Calves obtained from commercia l sources in May were randomly assigned to each system. They averaged 497, 491, and 565 Ib body weight for each of the 3 yr. All pastures we re burned each year to remove old residue, but only B and OWE pastures were fertilized with 70 to 150 lb of N/acre, Data were analyzed acros s years as a randomized block using a model containing years, forage, and year X forage. Because stocking rates were greater, B and OWE prov ided more (P > 0.05) animal units per acre than the NR system. Steers grazing NR and OWE pastures had greater average daily gain (ADG) (P > 0.01) and gain per head than steers grazing B pastures. However, total animal gain per acre was greater (P < 0.01) from B and OWE than from NR pastures. The cost per acre of forage and fencing were $4.34, $33.7 7, and $27.68 for the NR, B, and OWE pastures, respectively. These cos ts represented only a third of the total cost of production, which inc ludes interest, labor, marketing, and fixed cost. The NR system had th e lowest forage production cost and was profitable all 3 yr, while the OWE system was profitable 2 out of 3 yr and the B system in only 1 yr , Stocker systems based on NR have less variability in return per acre and cost per acre than systems based on B or OWE; however, the potent ial for large economic returns are greater for systems based on introd uced warm season grasses.