Characterization of productive and economic results in cattle and sheep farms with Voisin Rational Grazing in Uruguay

Abstract

Studies on the Voisin Racional Grazing (VRG) grazing system involving cattle and sheep in the productive context, costs and income are scarce in the Uruguay region. In the present work, the objective was to evaluate the VRG in four commercial establishments (three with cattle and one with sheep) that use the VRG system. During the work, each productive establishment was visited twice and the data were obtained through a semi-structured interview in the period 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The analysis parameters were investment in the implementation of the GRV system; productive indicators such as: animal stocking, average daily weight gain, meat equivalent (indicator that summarizes meat and wool production); and economic: gross agricultural income, cost structure, gross family income and gross margin). The estimated investment for the implementation of the VRG system in cattle production establishments ranged between US$171 and US$203/ha for fencing and fence installations (picket/parks), and between US$133 and US$197/ha for water distribution facilities. Production expressed in kg of meat equivalent varied between 115 and 621 kg/ha. Gross agricultural income and gross family income varied between US$210 and US$1,532, and constant US$107 and US$1,370/ha, respectively. In the cost structure, the costs classified as fixed, direct and non-cash were the most relevant, mainly due to the fictitious family allowance and the depreciation of the system. The results also show that livestock density, productivity and gross income were higher than the average of the properties studied in the country in the same period. From what was expressed by the farmers (in individual and group meetings) it can be concluded that the use of the VRG system is not only an economic decision, but also related to the importance that these farmers attach to environmental conservation.