BEEF CATTLE MANAGEMENT: EXTENSIVE

Authors: Macneil, Michael; Heitschmidt, Rodney

Submitted to: Encyclopedia of Animal Science
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/3/2004
Publication Date: 1/31/2005
Citation: Macneil, M.D., Heitschmidt, R.K. 2005. p. 65-67. In: Beef cattle management: extensive. Encyclopedia of Animal Science. Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York, New York.

Interpretive Summary: Extensive systems of beef production capitalize on land resources that cannot be effectively used in crop production. Precipitation is often sparse on such lands which limits forage production and ultimately beef production per unit area of land. This in turn limits the number of management interventions that are cost-effective in the production system. Still, grazing indigenous grasslands is considered one of the most sustainable of all agricultural production systems. In addition to the limited production capacity of the natural resource base typically used for extensive beef production systems, both quantity and quality of forage produced tend to be highly and sometimes unpredictably variable over time and space. This variation encourages inclusion of various risk management strategies in designing successful management systems to be employed in extensive beef production. Exploiting heterosis and additive breed differences through crossbreeding facilitates achieving an optimal level of beef production. Matching biological type of the cow to the environment is important in managing risk and insuring optimal levels of animal performance, given constraints imposed by the natural resource. Challenges to extensive beef production systems stem from use of highly variable natural resources with limited agronomic production potential. Livestock production from these resources justifies only limited capital investment into technologically sophisticated production systems. Naturally occurring variation in weather, forage production, livestock performance, and prices all indicate the importance of management tactics that minimize economic risk while capturing the value of livestock produced.

Technical Abstract: Extensive systems of beef production capitalize on land resources that cannot be effectively used in crop production. Precipitation is often sparse on such lands which limits forage production and ultimately beef production per unit area of land. This in turn limits the number of management interventions that are cost-effective in the production system. Still, grazing indigenous grasslands is considered one of the most sustainable of all agricultural production systems. In addition to the limited production capacity of the natural resource base typically used for extensive beef production systems, both quantity and quality of forage produced tend to be highly and sometimes unpredictably variable over time and space. This variation encourages inclusion of various risk management strategies in designing successful management systems to be employed in extensive beef production. Exploiting heterosis and additive breed differences through crossbreeding facilitates achieving an optimal level of beef production. Matching biological type of the cow to the environment is important in managing risk and insuring optimal levels of animal performance, given constraints imposed by the natural resource. Challenges to extensive beef production systems stem from use of highly variable natural resources with limited agronomic production potential. Livestock production from these resources justifies only limited capital investment into technologically sophisticated production systems. Naturally occurring variation in weather, forage production, livestock performance, and prices all indicate the importance of management tactics that minimize economic risk while capturing the value of livestock produced.