Multiple use of public rangeland: antelope and stocker cattle in Wyoming
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Authors: C. T. Bastian, J. J. Jacobs, L. J. Held, and M. A. Smith
Date: 1991
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 44
Number: 4
Pages: 390-394
Summary of Methods: A mixed-integer linear programming model was used to determine nine possible population combinations of cattle and antelope in the Wyoming Red Desert. The basis of the model was to find which combination of grazing cattle and antelope would be most profitable for the livestock owner. The range resources used were a 405 ha pasture with uniform vegetation and adequate water to accommodate antelope and cattle grazing. Utilization rates were set at 50% of available forage.
Article Summary / Main Points: A maximum of 72 antelope with no cattle or a maximum of 35 steers with no antelope could be supported during the specified 4 (spring, fall, winter, and summer) seasons. The net dollar benefit was highest when a combination of antelope and cattle were managed for and grazed a site. The maximum production of animals was a combination of 69 antelope and 29 steers. This combination resulted in an annual forage use very close to the upper limit (50%) of available grass and shrubs. Grass consumption was always minimal during the fall and winter seasons. Shrub consumption, except when there were no antelope, was more evenly distributed over all 4 seasons.
Vegetation Types: Sagebrush Steppe
MLRA Ecoregions: 34A Cool Central Desertic Basins and Plateaus
Agrovoc Control Words: Rangelands Grazing Big Game
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: production possibilities frontier, marginal rates of substitution, economic benefits and linear programming
Annotation: The results of this are very site specific to the Red Desert of Wyoming, though the underling principles are applicable to all rangelands grazed by browsers and grazers. The model considered only annual forage production but did not consider any data on seasonal forage production. This should be taken into consideration as seasonal constraints on forage might alter the production possibility and the general conclusion.
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