Beef production and net revenue variability from grazing systems on semiarid grasslands of North America

Irisarri, J. Gonzalo N.; Derner, Justin D.; Ritten, John P.; Peck, Dannele E.

doi:10.1016/j.livsci.2018.12.009

Cited by 27 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Moreover, a recent study from this site showcased that increasing herbivore density results in greater LHP variance (Irisarri et al. ). Thus, adaptive management strategies that incorporate knowledge of the PDO phase, ENSO magnitude, and recent precipitation to manage herd size could be implemented by livestock producers to better match herbivore numbers with forage availability and provide a buffer against the negative impacts of dry years.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…Because variability in LHP is inherent to cold PDO phases for our semiarid study system, we provide empirical evidence to bolster dynamic optimization modeling results of Torell et al (2010), which showed that, as forage production variability increased, so too did the value of adjusting herbivore densities. Moreover, a recent study from this site showcased that increasing herbivore density results in greater LHP variance (Irisarri et al 2019). Thus, adaptive management strategies that incorporate knowledge of the PDO phase, ENSO magnitude, and recent precipitation to manage herd size could be implemented by livestock producers to better match herbivore numbers with forage availability and provide a buffer against the negative impacts of dry years.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

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Large‐scale and local climatic controls on large herbivore productivity: implications for adaptive rangeland management

Raynor

Derner

Hoover

et al. 2020

Ecological Applications

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Rangeland ecosystems worldwide are characterized by a high degree of uncertainty in precipitation, both within and across years. Such uncertainty creates challenges for livestock managers seeking to match herbivore numbers with forage availability to prevent vegetation degradation and optimize livestock production. Here, we assess variation in annual large herbivore production (LHP, kg/ha) across multiple herbivore densities over a 78‐yr period (1940–2018) in a semiarid rangeland ecosystem (shortgrass steppe of eastern Colorado, USA) that has experienced several phase changes in global‐level sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, as measured by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). We examined the influence of prevailing PDO phase, magnitude of late winter (February–April) ENSO, prior growing‐season precipitation (prior April to prior September) and precipitation during the six months (prior October to current April) preceding the growing season on LHP. All of these are known prior to the start of the growing season in the shortgrass steppe and could potentially be used by livestock managers to adjust herbivore densities. Annual LHP was greater during warm PDO irrespective of herbivore density, while variance in LHP increased by 69% (moderate density) and 91% (high density) under cold‐phase compared to warm‐phase PDO. No differences in LHP attributed to PDO phase were observed with low herbivore density. ENSO effects on LHP, specifically La Niña, were more pronounced during cold‐phase PDO years. High herbivore density increased LHP at a greater rate than at moderate and low densities with increasing fall and winter precipitation. Differential gain, a weighted measure of LHP under higher relative to lower herbivore densities, was sensitive to prevailing PDO phase, ENSO magnitude, and precipitation amounts from the prior growing season and current fall–winter season. Temporal hierarchical approaches using PDO, ENSO, and local‐scale precipitation can enhance decision‐making for flexible herbivore densities. Herbivore densities could be increased above recommended levels with lowered risk of negative returns for managers during warm‐phase PDO to result in greater LHP and less variability. Conversely, during cold‐phase PDO, managers should be cognizant of the additional influences of ENSO and prior fall–winter precipitation, which can help predict when to reduce herbivore densities and minimize risk of forage shortages.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Large‐scale and local climatic controls on large herbivore productivity: implications for adaptive rangeland management

Raynor

Derner

Hoover

et al. 2020

Ecological Applications

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“…Variation in interannual NPP represents a simple, but critical variable to determine the vulnerability of rangeland beef cattle production; however, it is not the only variable determining the success of beef cattle operations. These enterprises occur within complex social-ecological systems that are influenced by local, national, and global events (Irisarri et al, 2019;Wilmer et al, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vulnerability of rangeland beef cattle production to climate‐induced NPP fluctuations in the US Great Plains

Klemm

Briske

Reeves

2020

Global Change Biology

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Interannual precipitation variability on grazing lands is 25% greater than for the average global land area, and it is projected to further increase by 10% over approximately one-half of the world's grazing lands (Sloat et al., 2018). Increasing precipitation variability is anticipated to adversely affect the provision of ecosystem services from these lands, including livestock production (Godde et al., 2019).

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“…Research must include an enhanced understanding of the impacts of directional climate changes (e.g., increasing atmospheric CO 2 , precipitation, and growing season length) on the interactions among grazing management and ecosystem responses (e.g., plant growth and soil C change). Policy to support sustainability in rangelands will also have to account for the complexity of managing for economic stability in a highly variable environment (Irisarri et al 2019). Creative win-win-win strategies for cattle, conservation, and C should emphasize management-science partnerships that are collaborative and transdisciplinary, embrace complex social-ecological systems, and are conducted at relevant scales (Roche et al 2015;Wilmer et al 2018).…”

Section: Change (%)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Cattle, conservation, and carbon in the western Great Plains

Sanderson¹,

Beutler²,

Brown³

et al. 2019

Journal of Soil and Water Conservation

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Beef production and net revenue variability from grazing systems on semiarid grasslands of North America

Cited by 27 publications

References 30 publications

Large‐scale and local climatic controls on large herbivore productivity: implications for adaptive rangeland management

Large‐scale and local climatic controls on large herbivore productivity: implications for adaptive rangeland management

Vulnerability of rangeland beef cattle production to climate‐induced NPP fluctuations in the US Great Plains

Cattle, conservation, and carbon in the western Great Plains

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