The fourth IRM component deals with the bottom line -- the integration of ranch-scale production with economics. This is being addressed with programs such as the SPA database and research at the ranch-scale on the Kite Camp research ranch.  SPA allows us to view real economics from real ranches, while ranch scale research assesses different options at the whole ranch business level.

Several recent studies have found that the use of prescribed fire and root-killing herbicides are economically viable options for treating mesquite, but the use of a less expensive, ‘top-killing” herbicide was not.  The root-killing herbicides cost about $25/acre but treatment life in terms of increased forage production as the result of a reduction in mesquite has been found to last for at least 25 years.  In contrast, the top-killing herbicide, while less expensive at $15/acre had a treatment life of only 10 years.

Sustainable beef production requires utilizing rangelands in an increasingly more efficient manner.  Matching animal nutrient requirements with forage nutrient dynamics is the first step.  Supplemental feeding is used to adjust for mismatches between animal nutrient requirements and forage quality.  Supplemental feeding is the major variable cost for cow-calf producers.  Costs range from $20 to $250 in Texas depending on the degree of animal to forage nutrient mismatch.  Our research focuses on making more efficient use of supplemental feed through monitoring the animal to forage nutrient mismatch.  Our objective is to decrease supplement wastage, and decrease variation in supplement consumption.  

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