Dr. Nick Hill, Emeritus Professor University of Georgia and Founding Partner Agrinostics Ltd. Co.
Most land-grant agricultural research and outreach efforts address rather simple concepts that producers face. As a retired professor I now have more time to contemplate complex agricultural issues, one being decision-making regarding pasture renovation. There is a myriad of financial decisions to contemplate when considering improvements on the farm when cash flow permits. Do I shore up my fencing, purchase new equipment or implements, invest in improved animal genetics, build a new hay barn or repair an existing structure, protect stream banks, or mend existing water infrastructure? Any of these may be necessary or critical improvements to address, especially when livestock production provides cash flow during good times. To me, the question of sustainability is not how to be the most efficient during good economic times, but how can I be the most efficient during lean economic periods. Why may you ask? It is because the risk of financial ruin is not when the farm economy is good but when the farm economy is bad. So being the most efficient is a good buffer to financial instability (or financial sustainability) during the lean times.
There is no doubt that animal performance is a key to financial efficiency and sustainability. Yet many livestock producers continue to rely on old toxic endophyte-infected Kentucky-31 pastures that we know are costly to livestock and a) either require additional supplements to maintain animal performance or b) result in a reduction of up to 50% of animal gain, loss of hooves, and/or change their tolerance of climatic conditions. Either of these options are not cost-effective during times of economic challenges.
Replacing toxic tall fescue pastures with non-toxic (novel endophyte) options are likely to increase profitability when the farm economy is good but also lead to greater financial sustainability when the farm economy is less desirable. The question is whether timing of renovation of old toxic pasture is best when cash flow is good or when the economy is financially challenging. To me, the choice is obvious.
~ Dr. Nick Hill, Emeritus Professor University of Georgia and Founding Partner Agrinostics Ltd. Co.
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal is a national organization focused on enhancing the appropriate adoption of novel endophyte tall fescue technology through education, incentives, self-regulation and promotion. For more resources or to learn more about the Alliance for Grassland Renewal, go to www.grasslandrenewal.org
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal 