Effects of year-round stocking rate and stocking method systems on cow-calf production in the gulf coast region of the United States: Costs, returns, and labor considerations1

The present research examines the effect of stocking method, i.e., continuous and rotational, and set (fixed) stocking rate on labor requirements, costs, and profits in cow-calf beef production. Two replicates of 4 adjacent pastures each, containing a mixed warm-season, perennial grass sod [common bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.; dallisgrass, Paspalum dilatatum Poir.], were overseeded to 'Marshall' annual ryegrass [Lolium multiflorum (Lam.)] in the autumn of 2 consecutive years. Within each replicate of 4 pastures, one of the following grazing treatments was randomly assigned each pasture: rotationally stocked (8 paddocks) at a low, medium, or high stocking rate (RL, RM, and RH) and continuously stocked at a moderate stocking rate (CM). Labor activities, expenditures, sales, and equipment usages were recorded throughout the study. On a per-cow basis, total labor usage declined (P < 0.01) in response to increases in stocking rate. However, on a per-0.40 ha basis, total labor usage only tended (P < 0.11) to increase as stocking rate increased. In both bases, total labor usage was greater (P < 0.01) for RM compared with CM. On a per-0.40 ha basis, increases in stocking rate tended (P < 0.08) to result in increased specified expenses, increased (P < 0.01) total sales revenue, and increased (P < 0.05) return over total expenses. Net returns between rotational and continuous stocking methods, at a moderate stocking rate, did not differ (P > 0.90) and would not justify the additional labor associated with rotational grazing management.