Economically optimal private land grazing strategies for the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon

Abstract

The Oregon Range Evaluation Project implemented 3 levels of grazing management intensities (strategies) on private land pastures in the Blue Mountains of northeastern Oregon. Prior to implementing each management strategy, a coordinated resource plan was prepared and a benefit-cost analysis on each practice and pasture was performed. The goal was to achieve the largest economic return from grazing for each strategy implemented. Returns above variable costs were used to select the optimal grazing strategy for the ecosystems represented. The commodity production strategy was found to be optimal in all ecosystems over a wide range of interest rates, management costs, and beef prices.