The objective of this study were to conduct economic evaluations of silvopasture farming system to enable landowners, extension personnel, and other decision makers to correctly assess its potential among the many lan...The objective of this study were to conduct economic evaluations of silvopasture farming system to enable landowners, extension personnel, and other decision makers to correctly assess its potential among the many land-use options; and to determine the most profitable animal stocking rate on small farms in Alabama. The analysis draws on data from a silvopastoral experiment conducted in the Alabama Black Belt region, on the property of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives in Epes, Alabama, between June 2006 and July 2010. Economic and financial ratio analyses were used to compare profitability, management feasibility, and risk considerations of simultaneous production of pine sawlogs and meat goats on small-sized farms in Alabama. The results suggest that silvopasture technology is profitable and financially feasible under specified assumptions. The Net Present Value model suggested that investing in silvopasture system would be considered acceptable at the 6 percent discount rate at a high stocking rate of 8 meat goats per acre. These findings were reaffirmed by the financial feasibility analysis.展开更多
文摘The objective of this study were to conduct economic evaluations of silvopasture farming system to enable landowners, extension personnel, and other decision makers to correctly assess its potential among the many land-use options; and to determine the most profitable animal stocking rate on small farms in Alabama. The analysis draws on data from a silvopastoral experiment conducted in the Alabama Black Belt region, on the property of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives in Epes, Alabama, between June 2006 and July 2010. Economic and financial ratio analyses were used to compare profitability, management feasibility, and risk considerations of simultaneous production of pine sawlogs and meat goats on small-sized farms in Alabama. The results suggest that silvopasture technology is profitable and financially feasible under specified assumptions. The Net Present Value model suggested that investing in silvopasture system would be considered acceptable at the 6 percent discount rate at a high stocking rate of 8 meat goats per acre. These findings were reaffirmed by the financial feasibility analysis.
