An Economic Analysis of Optimum Rates of Grazing in the California Annual-type Grassland

Abstract

In the early days of the west, marketing practices, low costs associated with grazing and lack of knowledge about range management led to heavy and sometimes destructive utilization of range vegetation. As the field of range science developed, control of grazing to achieve "moderate" utilization became an important management tool. However, too little attention has been given to the economics of "moderate use" recommendations. This study indicates the optimum rate of utilization on a Sutherlin soil in the annual-type grassland of California leaves approximately 500 lb./acre of plant residue. Examination of opportunity costs indicates the economic loss from heavy grazing is several times that of light use. Thus, range managers who recommend "moderate" or even "light" grazing are in effect advocating a small loss (opportunity cost of light grazing) as insurance against a larger loss (opportunity cost of heavy grazing).