Opportunities and challenges of grass-finishing on desert pastures

Authors: ANEY, SKYE - New Mexico State University; Hurst, Zachary; TORELL, GREG - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: Society for Range Management
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/16/2021
Publication Date: 11/16/2021
Citation: Aney, S., Hurst, Z.M., Torell, G. 2021. Opportunities and challenges of grass-finishing on desert pastures. Society for Range Management. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary: We are applying survey and modeling approaches to understand the potential for grass finishing beef cattle in desert agroecosystems under future climate expectations. First, we sought to understand the characteristics of current operations and how climate change may impact grass-finishing in the region. We inventoried and surveyed grass-fed beef operations in nine states in the Southwest and Southern Plains and created a web-based map to evaluate their spatial distribution. Survey results showed that: a) grass-fed producers market their cattle in a diversity of ways, although freezer beef was the most ubiquitous, b) producers perceive a number of benefits and challenges involved in raising grass-fed beef and c) some types of decision support tools are clearly preferred over others. The most commonly indicated need for information was regarding drought adaptation and management. Based upon these survey results and key informant interviews, we have initiated two follow-up surveys to better understand the key practices, economics, and market factors influencing viability of grass finishing in the region from the perspective of both producers and processors. Survey data will help parameterize regional socioecological models that characterize current and future grass-finishing  potential in western U.S. rangelands, and the role that grass-finishing may have in climate adaptation. A first step in modeling has entailed a preliminary ranch-level economic optimization model that can estimate the profitability of ranching operations under climatic change in New Mexico, with downscaled climate projections used to estimate profitability across cattle genetics and climatic conditions.

Technical Abstract: We are applying survey and modeling approaches to understand the potential for grass finishing beef cattle in desert agroecosystems under future climate expectations. First, we sought to understand the characteristics of current operations and how climate change may impact grass-finishing in the region. We inventoried and surveyed grass-fed beef operations in nine states in the Southwest and Southern Plains and created a web-based map to evaluate their spatial distribution. Survey results showed that: a) grass-fed producers market their cattle in a diversity of ways, although freezer beef was the most ubiquitous, b) producers perceive a number of benefits and challenges involved in raising grass-fed beef and c) some types of decision support tools are clearly preferred over others. The most commonly indicated need for information was regarding drought adaptation and management. Based upon these survey results and key informant interviews, we have initiated two follow-up surveys to better understand the key practices, economics, and market factors influencing viability of grass finishing in the region from the perspective of both producers and processors. Survey data will help parameterize regional socioecological models that characterize current and future grass-finishing  potential in western U.S. rangelands, and the role that grass-finishing may have in climate adaptation. A first step in modeling has entailed a preliminary ranch-level economic optimization model that can estimate the profitability of ranching operations under climatic change in New Mexico, with downscaled climate projections used to estimate profitability across cattle genetics and climatic conditions.