Grazing methods and stocking rates for direct-seeded alfalfa pastures: III. Economics of alternative stocking rates for alfalfa pastures

A framework that permits estimation of economically optimal stocking rates for alternative economic parameters and alfalfa forage allowance was develo ped and applied to a controlled grazing experiment conducted with Holstein steers (243 kg) placed on direct-seeded alfalfa pastures in central Michiga n. Responses of ADG to alternative levels of forage allowance (FA) were sum marized by a quadratic function and the associated gains/hectare were calcu lated. The standard stocking rate (SSR; standard livestock units/ha) that m aximized gain/hectare increased with FA and was greater than that which max imized ADG. Net returns to fixed resources(NRFR)/hectare were calculated fo r alternative SSR and economically optimal SSR were identified under variou s levels of herbage mass (kg/d). The SSR that maximized NRFR were between t he SSR that maximized ADG and gain/hectare. Magnitude of the sale price dis count for heavier calves, the slide, influenced the optimal SSR and the sen sitivity of net return to SSR. The economically optimal. SSR increased as t he slide increased because animals stocked under higher SSR weighed less of f pasture and therefore received a lower price discount.