Ranch Resource Differences Affecting Profitability of Crested Wheatgrass as a Spring Forage Source

Abstract

A representative cow-calf ranch operation in Elko County, Nev., was modeled using a linear programming procedure to determine effects of selected ranch resource differences on profitability of seeding crested wheatgrass. Net present value (NPV) results suggest seeding crested wheatgrass as a spring forage can be a profitable investment if there are associated increases in calf weaning weights of 9.07 kg and increases in calving rates of 5 percentage points. Amount of meadow hayland, deeded range, and BLM forage available to the representative ranch were increased and decreased 50%. NPV's of the crested wheatgrass investment are greater for ranches with excess meadow hay and excess deeded range. NPV's are lower for ranches with limiting resources of meadow hayland, deeded range, and BLM forage.