Optimal economic timing of range improvement alternatives: southern High Plains

Abstract

Profit maximizing combinations of livestock enterprises, plant control practices, and grazing management systems for ranches in the southern High Plains were examined. A typical ranch and a multi-period linear programming model were used to determine the combinations and timing of improvement practices and enterprises to maximize discounted net income with different investement capital constraints, cattle prices, and discount rates. All solutions included chemical control of sand shinnery oak (Quercus havardii) and a rotation grazing system. Timing of improvements and net income were affected by size of investment capital constraint.