Economic and socio-environmental performance assessment of beef cattle production systems: a data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach with weight restrictions

Abstract

-This study evaluated the performance of 21 beef cattle modal production systems that conduct only the raising phase. These production systems were developed in 21 municipalities in seven Brazilian states. We used two different DEA BCC models, corresponding to different points of view. Firstly we used an economic model that measured the ability of a production system to generate revenue with the preservation of native forest, using labor, capital, and current spending as inputs. The socio-environmental approach, corresponding to the second BCC model, uses the production factor labor as an output. In that model our interest was to assess whether the capital costs generate economic, environmental, and social benefits. Weight restrictions were imposed on the output variables of each model to explain the proposed viewpoints and to avoid inconsistent results. The results pointed out sources of inefficiency in terms of labor with low qualification, and use of bulls of questionable quality, factors that are common in extensive systems. These are some of the major bottlenecks in animal production systems as a whole.

The factors influencing production and economic efficiency of beef cattle farm in Grobogan Region, Central Java

“…However, the use of input factor incurred by farmers for beef cattle farm has not been and was not efficient. It was faced to Gomes et al (2015) that pointed out sources of inefficiency in terms of input with low qualification. When properly observed, the application of "Six Right" approach in agribusiness showed that indicators farm scale forage, concentrate, health and labor were in "Moderate" condition.…”

Typology of beef production systems according to bioeconomic efficiency in the south of Brazil

“…Variation among cattle farmers occurred basically in the aspect related to physical productivity, which shows that the investments made to increase the efficiency of the systems produced positive responses (GOMES et al, 2015). Alternatively, when the analysis considered economic results, this difference practically disappears between the clusters, especially in the IEL x HEL comparison.…”

Modelling beef cattle production systems from the Pampas in Brazil to assess intensification options

“…Other studies with a systemic approach may also complement this study, helping to understand the productive effects by improving the indicators in an isolated or simultaneous manner, mainly by including prices and costs. Improving production efficiency would mean not concentrating efforts on a single component, but rather understanding and managing productive activities as a system (Gomes et al, 2015). In this sense, identifying the impact of the changes of the animal production indicators on the productivity of the farming system can help in the definition of strategies and the ordering of investment priorities (Pereira et al, 2016).…”