Maximum profitability as a criterion for optimisation of utilisation intensity

Abstract

A technique is proposed for the formulation of a factor/product relationship between grazing days/hectare (ha) and liveweight gain/ha in order to relate maximum profitability to intensity of herbage utilisation in beef production systems in the False Thornveld of the Eastern Province. The technique is particularly attractive in view of the small experimental area it requires. The most profitable utilisation intensity for veld in good condition under a reasonably sophisticated management system is found to be ecologically acceptable in this veld type. This supports a proposal to impose a cash economy on pastoral agriculture in the less developed black states in South Africa in order to facilitate veld rehabilitation in these areas.

Uittreksel

Deur gebruik te maak van die faktor/produk verhoudings tussen weidingsdae per hektaar en die lewende massatoename per hektaar word ‘n tegniek voorgestel om die maksimum winsgewendheid van beesvleisproduksie op die Skyndoringveld van die Oostelike Provinsie in verband te bring met die intensiteit van weiveldbenutting. Die tegniek beskik verder oor praktiese voordele daar dit slegs ‘n klein eksperimentele area benodig. Ontledings dui daarop dat die mees winsgewende benutting van weiveld, onder ‘n redelike standaard van bestuur, binne die gebied van ekologiese aanvaarbaarheid val. Hierdie resultate lei verder ook tot sekere voorstelle vir die ontwikkeling van ‘n wins georiënteerde ekonomiese stelsel in die onder‐ontwikkelde Swart State van Suid‐Afrika ten einde die verbetering en herstel van weiveld te bevorder.

Notes

Present ad dress: Dohne Agricultural Research Institute, Stutterheim.

Department of Agricultural economics, University of Fort Hare.