Winsgewendheid van suiwelboerdery in die Swartland

Date
2002-03
Authors
Van der Spuy, Albertus Louw
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Profit margins of typical farming systems in the Swartland have come under pressure because of international market forces decreasing milk and wheat prices as well as the deregulation of the agricultural marketing boards in South Africa after 1994. The profit margins of small grain production systems are specifically under pressure. It has therefore become necessary to evaluate different combinations of farming enterprises continuously. The profitability of changing farming enterprises can be examined by means of budgeting techniques. In this study the profitability of the inclusion of more home grown feed stuffs in the fodder flow program of dairies, currently run according to a zero feed lot grazing system, was investigated. The technique of Linear Programming (LP) was used in this regard. Grain production per hectare can vary to a large extent in the Swartland because of the large variation in soil forms and soil types. To accommodate these differences, a case study was conducted in each of the identified sub regions of the Swartland. The information gained from each case study was presented to a panel of producers and other experts during group discussions. Technical experts ensured that the latest available technology is applied, while the producers evaluated the practical implications of this. A further outcome of this method was that specialised subject related matters could be evaluated in group discussions focussing on the implications for the farming system as a whole. Thus, aspects related to the multidisciplinary nature of farming systems could be evaluated simultaneously. It is concluded that farm profitability can, under described circumstances be improved by including more home grown feed stuffs in the fodder flow program of the dairy production system.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Dalende melk- en koringpryse weens nasionale sowel as internasionale markkragte, asook die deregulering van landboubemarkingsrade in Suid-Afrika na 1994, het die winsgrense van boerderystelsels in die Swartland onder druk geplaas. Die winsgewendheid van kleingraanproduksiestelsels is veralonder druk. Dit is gevolglik nodig om kombinasies van boerderyvertakkings deurlopend te evalueer. Die winsgewendheid van veranderinge in boerderybedryfstakkombinasies kan met behulp van begrotingstegnieke bepaal word. In hierdie studie is die winsgewendheid van die inskakeling van geproduseerde voere teen 'n hoër peil in die voervloeiprogram van die melkbedryfstak, wat volgens 'n voerkraal- of nulbeweidingstelsel bedryf word, by die kleingraanproduksiestelsel ondersoek. Die tegniek van Lineêre Progammering (LP) is hiervoor gebruik. Weens groot variasies in grondvorm en grondtipe in die Swartland kan graanproduksie baie varieer. Ten einde hierdie verskille te kan akkommodeer, is 'n gevallestudie winsgewendheidsontleding in elk van die geïdentifiseerde substreke van die Swartland gedoen. Die inligting verkry uit hierdie gevallestudies is aan 'n paneel van produsente en ander kundiges tydens groepbesprekings in debat geplaas. Tegniese kundiges het verseker dat die nuutste tegnologie toegepas word, terwyl produsente die praktiese implikasies hiervan kon evalueer. 'n Verdere uitvloeisel van hierdie werkswyse is dat vakspesifieke gespesialiseerde aangeleenthede in die groepbespreking beoordeel word tesame met die implikasies wat dit vir die boerderystelsel in sy geheel inhou. Sodoende word aspekte wat verband hou met die multidissiplinêre geaardheid van boerderystelsels gelyktydig ondersoek. Daar word tot die gevolgtrekking gekom dat die winsgewendheid van boerderye met kombinasies van kleingraan en melk in die Swartland, onder bepaalde omstandighede, deur die gebruik van selfgeproduseerde voergrondstowwe vir die melkproduksiestelsel, aansienlik verhoog kan word.
Description
Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002.
Keywords
Dairying -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Western Cape, Dissertations -- Agricultural economics, Theses -- Agricultural economics
Citation