Evaluating grassland feed resource utilization by extensive livestock farming systems

Abstract

The economy of extensive livestock farming systems in rural areas of South­western Norway was investigated by replacing 10% of intensively-fed bulls with steers and expanding sheep production to reduce pasture encroachment. Meat production was kept stable. The analysis followed an approach with sim­ple budgets and case studies. Low costs of concentrate feed and high meat prices favored intensive beef production, whereas the area and grazing premi­ums favored extensive steer and sheep systems, utilizing outlying and farmland pastures. Costs of concentrates would decrease by € 4.7–4.9 million and rural employment increase by 139–218 standard man years by the examined change. The risk in farming and community income was political as grazing-based sys­tems were more dependent on governmental subsidies. Future development of livestock farming, governmental subsidies and other measures to enhance graz­ing were discussed in relation to a few policy scenarios for future meat and feed prices.