Mejoramiento del sector cárnico bovino en Centro América

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Is it worth to recuperate degraded pasturelands? An evaluation of profits and costs from the perspective of livestock producers and extension agents in Honduras
(Journal Article, 2004-11) Holmann, Federico J.; Argel M., Pedro J.; Rivas Ríos, Libardo; White, D.; Estrada, R.D.; Burgos, C.; Pérez, E.; Ramírez, G.; Medina, A.
The objectives of this study were to: (a) estimate milk and beef yields obtained from cows grazing pastures in different stages of degradation; (b) estimate income losses as a result of the degradation process; (c) estimate the proportion of pasture areas found in each stage of degradation within the six administrative regions of Honduras; and (d) identify different strategies and costs to recuperate degraded pastures. Data came from two surveys executed during a workshop carried out in March 2004. The subjective perceptions of 25 livestock producers and 8 extension agents of the 6 administrative regions of Honduras were obtained to estimate the losses of animal productivity within the farm, region, and country. A 4-level scoring of pasture degradation was defined - where 1 was for the best condition (i.e., non-apparent degradation) and 4 was for the worst (i.e., severe degradation). Regressions, explaining the animal productivity losses at each level of pasture degradation, were generated according to the subjective and descriptive information. Comparing the perception of degraded areas, producers considered that in Honduras the extent of pasture degradation is lower compared with extension agents. According to producers, 29% of the pasture area in the country is at Level 1 (i.e., no degradation) compared with only 19% of extension agents. Moreover, producers perceived a lower proportion of pastures in severe degradation (i.e., Level 4, 27%) in comparison with almost 31% perceived by extension agents. In the intermediate degradation levels (i.e., Levels 2 and 3), both groups were similar. The country is forgoing milk and beef production due to the process of pasture degradation. According to estimations from producers, Honduras is loosing 284,106 tonnes of fluid milk and 48,271 tonnes of beef (live weight) annually for having pasture areas in Level 4 (i.e., severe degradation), equivalent to 48% of the annual production of milk and to 37% of beef. In economic terms, these losses in milk and beef yields are worth US$63 and US$48 million annually, respectively. The perception of extension agents is even more alarming. Honduras could produce 66% more milk and 50% more beef annually if livestock producers renovated their pastures before they reached level 4, equivalent to US$94 million in less revenues from milk sales and US$66 million from less beef sales. Both groups perceive that pastures, in an early stage of degradation (i.e., Level 2), are more economical, practical and rapid to recuperate. Also, as the process of degradation advances (i.e., to Levels 3 and 4), both cost and time of recuperating such pastures increase significantly. According to producers, the recuperation of a pasture from Level 4 to Level 1 costs $140/ha and takes almost a half year (i.e., 5.6 months). Extension agents estimate this cost of recuperation 27% higher ($178/ha) with 5% more time (i.e., 5.9 months). Producers perceive that grasses spend proportionately less time in going from Level 1 to 2 (i.e., 2.9 years) and as the process of degradation continues, pastures remain longer at advanced degraded levels (i.e., 3.1 years in going from level 2 to 3, and around 4.0 years in going from level 3 to 4). Moreover, producers think that the average productive life of improved grasses is about 10 years, while extension agents think that grasses degrade faster, with an average productive life of 8.4 years, 16% less than producers. According to producers and extension agents, pastures degrade at an annual rate of 10% and 12%, respectively. With these rates, Honduras would maintain its current level of degradation between levels 2.48 and 2.65. However, the renovation of pastures at an annual rate of 10-12% does not solve the problem, but maintains it. Producers argued that the current financial situation does not allow the necessary cash flow to renovate their plots, and the option of credit is not viable since real interest rates are high (ie., 10%). After simulating this scenario, it was demonstrated that farmers are able to generate the additional income necessary to pay a credit, but only if this credit is taken with interest rates similar to those found in the international market (ie., 3%). In order to eliminate the degraded areas found in Level 4 at the country level, it is necessary a one-time investment of $57 million according to producers and $84 million according to extension agents. The benefit obtained from this investment would result in a daily increase of 156,000 liters of milk and 26,500 kilograms of beef, equivalent to $22 millions/yr. Therefore, there are significant economic and productive incentives for the private and public sectors to develop and execute a plan of action to recuperate pasturelands in advanced stages of degradation.
Impact of the adoption of Brachiaria grasses: Central America and Mexico
(Journal Article, 2004-12) Holmann, Federico J.; Rivas Ríos, Libardo; Argel M., Pedro J.; Pérez, E.
Livestock production plays a key role in tropical Latin America in a changing economic environment. This study focuses on documenting the transformations of extensive production systems by using superior forage germplasm supplied by regional research systems. The adoption of improved Brachiaria grasses was evaluated from 1990 to 2003 to estimate its impact in terms of animal productivity and income in Central America and Mexico. Information on seed sales in the local market made it possible to estimate the areas planted and the value of additional milk and beef production attributable to adoption. Mexico presents the highest volume of marketed seed and of area established with improved pastures. Among Central America countries, Costa Rica was outstanding in terms of the high volume of seed sold and the area planted, followed by Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. The annual growth rate of seed sales was very high during the study period, reaching 32% in Mexico, 62% in Honduras, 45% in Nicaragua, 39% in Costa Rica, and 54% in Panama. The area planted with Brachiaria species during this period totaled 6.5% of the total surface of permanent grasses in Mexico, 12.5% in Honduras, 1.0% in Nicaragua, 18.7% in Costa Rica, and 0.1% in Panama. Excluding Nicaragua and Panama, where adoption is low, Brachiaria grasses account for 24%-55% of total annual milk production and for 5%-18% that of beef. These figures clearly demonstrate that those adopting new Brachiaria cultivars are farmers mainly oriented toward milk production and, to a lesser extent, beef. In monetary terms, the value of additional production attributable to the adoption of Brachiaria grasses in the selected study countries was estimated at US$1084 million per year, 78% corresponding to milk and 22% to beef. Due to the magnitude of the livestock sector in Mexico, adoption generates slightly more than 80% of production profits. Study results indicate that the investment of public funds in Central America and Mexico to support the International Network for Evaluation Tropical Pastures (RIEPT, its acronym in Spanish) paid off in terms of adoption of improved grasses and significant increases in the supply of milk and beef, fundamental items in the diet of consumers from all income levels in the region.
Estimation and comparison of benefits due to feeding hay and silage during the dry season on commercial dual-purpose cattle production systems in Honduras and Costa Rica
(Journal Article, 2006-01-19) Schoonhoven, Aart van; Holmann, Federico J.; Argel M., Pedro J.; Pérez, E.; Ordoñez, Jenny C.; Chaves, J.
Smallholders with dual-purpose cattle production systems in most Central America experience a shortage of forages during the dry season (4-8 month. As a result, substantially lower milk production and weight gain occurs. Dual-purpose operations seeking to maximize milk and beef production in the dry season can produce and feed hay or silage to their livestock. The increase in milk and beef production due to feeding hay or silage during the dry season on commercial dual-purpose cattle productions systems, the production costs of making silage or hay and the benefits as a result of feeding silage or hay are estimated and compared in Honduras and Costa Rica. Due to feeding silage or hay, farmers in Honduras and Costa Rica have increased milk production during the dry season. The costs of feeding hay are lower in both countries, although farmers feed a higher amount (kg DM/cow/day) than silage. Feeding silage or hay to milking cows is profitable in both countries. The income-cost ratio and the net benefit ($/cow/day) due to feeding these feedstuffs are positive. Farmers with milking cows in Honduras realise a higher income-cost ratio and net benefit due to feeding silage and hay than farmers in Costa Rica. Likewise, beef cows or young livestock supplemented with these feeding alternatives don't loose weight during the dry season. In Honduras as well in Costa Rica, it is profitable to feed silage or hay to beef cows or young livestock. Currently, no silage and a small hay market exist in Honduras. Possibly, these will develop due to an increasing demand for these profitable feedstuffs. In Costa Rica thanks to the efforts of agricultural organisations, a hay market of different qualities is developing.
Beneficios y costos de la rehabilitación de pasturas degradadas en Honduras
(Journal Article, 2004-12) Holmann, Federico J.; Argel M., Pedro J.; Rivas Ríos, Libardo; White, D.; Estrada, R.D.; Burgos, C.; Pérez, E.; Ramírez, G.; Medina, A.
The impact of pasture degradation on animal productivity in six regions of Honduras was assessed, and pasture rehabilitation costs were estimated. The study, carried out in March 2004, involved the interviewing of 25 livestock producers and eight extension agents. The milk and beef production of cows grazing pastures with different levels of degradation was calculated, as well as the losses in income also attributable to the process of degradation. The proportion of pastures found at each level of degradation was determined for each of the six administrative regions of Honduras, and the different strategies to rehabilitate degraded pastures were identified and their cost calculated. A 4-level degradation gradient was defined, level 1 being non-apparent degradation and level 4, severe degradation. Based on personal and descriptive information provided by the interviewees, regressions were generated that better explained the loss in animal productivity at each level of pasture degradation. According to producers, 29% of the area under pastures in Honduras ranked as level 1 of degradation, whereas extension agents ranked 19% of the pastures as level 1. Similarly, livestock producers considered that 27% of the pastures were level 4 of degradation, while extension agents estimated that 31% ranked as level 4. According to producer estimates, each year Honduras ceases to produce 284,106 MT of fluid milk and animal live weight gains equivalent to 48,271 MT of beef due exclusively to the loss of productivity of pasture in level 4 of degradation, which is equivalent to 48% of the country’s annual milk production and 37% of its beef production. In economic terms, losses in milk production totaled US$63 million per year and those of beef production, US$48 million. The cost of rehabilitating pastures of level 4 degradation in Honduras was estimated at US$57.1 million, according to producers, and at US$83.6 million, according to extension agents. These figures represented, respectively, 51% of the US$111.2 million in annual income for sale of milk and beef that were not received and 52% of the US$159.8 million in lower annual income per concept of lower sale of milk and beef. Livestock producers indicated that the average useful life of improved pastures was approximately 10 years, ranging from 9 years for B. humidicola and Digitaria swazilandensis to 12 years for star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis). Extension agents, on the other hand, considered that grasses have a useful life of 8.4 years, ranging from 6 years for D. swazilandensis to 12 years for B. brizantha cv. Marandú. According to study results, the annual rate of degradation of pastures in Honduras varied from 10% to 12%. To eliminate pasture areas of level 4 of degradation nationwide, it would be necessary to make a one-time investment of US$57 million. However, the annual profit in increased milk and beef production would amount to 156,000 liters milk per day and 26,500 kg liveweight that amount to an additional income of US$22.2 million per year. This should serve as both economic and production incentive for the private and public sectors to jointly develop and execute an action plan that allows paddocks in advanced state of degradation to be recovered.
Potential economic impact from the adoption of new Brachiaria hybrids resistant to spittlebugs in livestock systems of Colombia, Mexico and Central America
(Journal Article, 2005-05) Rivas Ríos, Libardo; Holmann, Federico J.
Pasture research led by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and national institutions during the 80's and 90's, contributed with new Brachiaria species with various characteristics and uses that were incorporated with success in livestock production systems in the lowlands of Latin America. Brachiaria brizantha, Brachiaria dictyoneura, Brachiaria humidicola and Brachiaria ruziziensis are some of the forage materials released by research institutions in the region. Despite its indisputable advantages, the Brachiaria genus presents limitations because of its low tolerance to prolonged droughts and its high susceptibility to spittlebug, a pest that causes considerable economic losses to the livestock industry. Thus, most recent research in CIAT's Brachiaria breeding program has focused on the development of a second generation of Brachiaria grasses: outstanding agronomic characteristics, establishment vigor, good sprout capacity, high biomass production and nutritional quality, good seed production, resistant to Rhizotocnia and to multiple spittlebug species. The results of this effort have conveyed to the recent release of Mulato grass, the first hybrid of the Brachiaria genus obtained by CIAT's genetic improvement program. In the waiting list of the second generation of Brachiaria grasses is hybrid #4624 (CIAT 36087), to be released in 2005, having a similar forage quality as Mulato and with all the attributes defined for the second generation of Brachiaria grasses. Moreover, several other hybrids are in advanced stages of evaluation and close to being released as commercial cultivars. The potential economic impact of the adoption of new Brachiaria hybrids on livestock production systems was evaluated using the Economic Model MODEXC. Two regions were considered in Colombia: the Northern Coast and the Eastern Plains. In Mexico, the tropical region; and in Central America, its six constituent countries. The model estimates the economic benefits attributable to the utilization of the new materials, disaggregating per country, region, ecosystem, production system and large social groups (consumers and producers). It works with two types of parameters: the technical ones that characterize the new technology and its process of dissemination, and the economic ones representing the conditions of market supply and demand of both beef and milk affected by the technical change. The benefits of the new technology (from the year 2007) were calculated for a period of 20 years and the results were expressed in terms of the net present value (NPV) and annuities. The estimates were made using alternatively an economic framework of open and closed economy. In a closed economy, without international trade, the NPV of the technological benefits was estimated at US$4,166 million, of which 54% would be generated by the marketing of beef and the rest by milk. Most of the benefits were concentrated in Mexico, US$2,831 (68%); followed by Colombia, US$960 million (23%), and Central America, US$363 million (9%). In order to have criteria on the extent of the estimated technological benefits, the value of beef and milk yield during 2003 was calculated in the reference countries. The NPV is equivalent to 44% of the value of that year, ranging between 16% in Honduras and 78% in Nicaragua. The results show the importance of the dual purpose livestock production system. In most countries, more than half of the technological benefits was generated in this system: Colombia 70%, Central America 62%, and Mexico 50%. When a country is self-sufficient and the surplus resulting from the technical improvements is marketed domestically, the benefits are transferred to consumers who are favored with the reduction in prices, making possible for them to increase consumption. In the case of a closed economy, consumers would capture 83% of total benefits. Trade liberalization implies a re-distributive process favoring producers. Export purchases increase total demand and restrain the fall of domestic prices. In an open-market economy, the share of benefits to producers would rise to 46%. Research investment is conceived as a primary mechanism to achieve two of the most basic social goals: 1) poverty reduction and improvement in equity, and 2) the promotion of economic growth. Having this premise, in order to establish to what extent this technical change contributes to the fulfillment of these goals, the acquired benefits were estimated for the most vulnerable population groups: a) The two quintiles of poor consumers, representing 40% of total population, and b) the small producers. In both schemes, open or closed economy, both groups receive more than one-fourth of the benefits from technical change, 27% and 31%, respectively. This is equivalent to a NPV ranging between US$1,137 to 1,303 millions. Because the hybrids require better soils or fertilizer inputs to maintain forage biomass productivity and quality, the study was made with conservative hypotheses about changes in productivity and the size of the area to be planted. Despite the definition of the levels of critical variables, especially those associated with the productivity and the adoption of the new Brachiaria hybrids, conservative criteria were considered in order to avoid overestimating the benefits; it is important to evaluate the sensitivity of these, against undesirable changes of those variables. For this purpose, three alternative scenarios were established: 1) The reduction of 50% of the area cultivated with new Brachiaria hybrids, 2) the reduction of 10% in the yields of the new materials, and 3) the increase of 50% in the total time of adoption. The most critical variable in the determination of the amount of benefits is yield (productivity) of the new technology, in terms of beef and milk per hectare. The elasticity of the benefits regarding the yields was estimated at 2.2 for Colombia and 1.8 for Central America and Mexico. This suggests that if the yield declines by 1%, the reduction of the social benefits is more than proportional. The social benefits are less elastic with regard to the area planted with new Brachiaria hybrids or the time of adoption. For example, in Colombia, if the area with improved materials declines by one percentage point, the benefits will diminish at approximately six tenths of one point. In all the proposed alternative scenarios, the investment in the development of these new pastures are economically attractive, despite the adverse circumstances proposed in these scenarios. The technological benefits expressed as an annuity (a fixed annual payment received for a specific number of years) shows that the investment for the development of new forage options is very low, less than US$ 20 million, compared with the annual benefits resulting from the use of these new materials.
Ex ante analysis of new forage alternatives for dual-purpose cattle farms in Peru, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
(Book Chapter, 2004-06) Holmann, Federico J.
Impacto económico potencial de la adopción de nuevas Brachiarias resistentes a cercópidos
(Journal Article, 2004-12-15) Rivas Ríos, Libardo; Holmann, Federico J.
The potential economic impact of the adoption of new Brachiaria cultivars, resistant to cercopids (spittlebugs), on livestock production systems of Colombia’s northern coast and Eastern Plains areas, the Mexican tropics, and Central America was evaluated using the MODEXC economic model (Rivas et al., 1999). The model estimates the economic benefits attributable to the use of new cultivars, separated by country, region, ecosystem, production system, and large social groups (consumers and producers). The model operates with technical parameters that characterize new technology and dissemination and economic processes, indicating the market supply and demand for milk and beef products as affected by technological change. The technical parameters used in the study were based on previous research projects carried out in target countries and on the opinions of experts. Economic parameters were established based on several studies conducted on regional milk and beef markets. The benefits of the new technology were estimated for a 20-year period, starting as of 2007, and are expressed in terms of present value (PV) and annuities (A). Estimates were obtained by alternatively using economic frameworks for open and closed economies. In a closed economy, without international trade, the present value of technological benefits was estimated at US$4155 million, of which 54% would be generated in the beef market and the rest in the milk market. Most benefits (68%) are concentrated in Mexico (US$2831), followed by Colombia with 23% (US$ 960 million) and Central America with 9% (US$363 million). The estimation of the value of beef and milk production in 2003 served to determine the extent of estimated technological benefits. Their present value accounted for 44% of that year’s production value, ranging from 16% in Honduras to 78% in Nicaragua. These results indicate the important role played by dual-purpose systems in livestock production in the tropics. In study countries, more than half of the technological benefits are attributed to the dual-purpose production system, as follows: 70% in Colombia, 62% in Central America, and 50% in Mexico. When production surpluses resulting from technology improvement are commercialized internally, then consumers benefit the most, being favored with the fast fall of prices, which allows them to increase their consumption. In the present case and in a closed economy, 83% of total social benefits would be captured by beef and milk consumers. In the case of an open market, the producers’ share of total benefits would rise to 46%. In both schemes (open or closed economy), the poorest consumers and producers, together, received more than one fourth of the benefits generated by technological change: consumers, 27%, and producers, 31%. This amounts to a present value between US$1137 and US$1303 million for all study countries. The study concluded that the most critical variable in determining the level of technological benefit is yield (productivity) of new technology in terms of beef and milk/hectare. The elasticity of benefits regarding yields was estimated at 2.2 for Colombia and 1.8 for Central America and Mexico, which implies that if productivity decreases by 1%, the fall in social benefits is more than proportional. Social benefits are less elastic regarding the magnitude of the area to impact and the duration of adoption. For example, in Colombia if the area with improved materials declined one percentile, then benefits would drop approximately six-tenths of a percentile. In all alternative scenarios proposed, the investment in developing new pastures results economically attractive, despite the adverse circumstances found in those scenarios. The technological benefits expressed as annuity—a fixed sum of money received for a given number of years—show that the region’s current investment in the generation of new forage options is very low compared with the annual amount of social benefit that could be generated by the use of these new materials.
Arachis pintoi in the humid tropics of Colombia: A forage legume success story
(Journal Article, 2005-12) Lascano Aguilar, Carlos Eduardo; Peters, Michael; Holmann, Federico J.
Estrategias para minimizar la escasez de forrajes en zonas con sequías prolongadas en Honduras y Nicaragua
(Journal Article, 2005-08) Fujisaka, Sam; Holmann, Federico J.; Peters, Michael; Schmidt, A.; Burgos, C.; Mena Urbina, Martin A.; Posas, M.I.; Cruz, H.; Davis, C.; Hincapié Carvajal, Belisario
En Honduras y Nicaragua existen zonas caracterizadas por épocas secas prolongadas (4 a 8 meses) durante las cuales la oferta de forrajes es deficitaria y por el predominio de explotaciones ganaderas de pequeños propietarios en sistemas doble propósito (producción de leche y carne). El Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT) y el Instituto Internacional de Investigación Pecuaria (ILRI, sigla en inglés) con la colaboración de socios en Honduras y Nicaragua han venido trabajando con productores en el desarrollo de sistemas alternativos eficientes y de fácil adopción para la alimentación del ganado vacuno durante la época seca. Para el desarrollo de estos trabajos se hicieron encuestas de diagnóstico con el fin de conocer los sistemas de alimentación existentes dentro del ámbito de la finca. En ambos países, las regiones en estudio eran similares y se caracterizaban por una época seca prolongada y por su dependencia de la explotación de ganado en sistema doble propósito y de los cultivos de maíz y frijol. En el estudio se hizo un diagnóstico de la situación de los sistemas de producción pecuaria en cada región tomando como base la oferta y la demanda de pasturas mejoradas o como heno y ensilado. Se presentan algunas alternativas de alimentación animal, se identifican los retos para la investigación y se calculan los costos de establecimiento y producción de diferentes alternativas forrajeras. La recopilación de la información se hizo mediante conversaciones concertadas, interactivas y abiertas a nuevos temas y tópicos, en lugar del tradicional ejercicio consistente en llenar formularios. En las entrevistas se identificaron los sistemas y los problemas de alimentación durante la época seca. En ambos países la producción de leche durante la época de lluvias es similar en todos los tamaños de fincas. Sin embargo, durante la época seca los mejores endimientos se presentaban en las fincas de los grandes productores en Honduras, lo que era debido al acceso de áreas más desarrolladas y a la intensificación de la producción mediante el uso de remesas familiares del exterior. Esta intensificación se reflejaba por un mayor uso de alimentos concentrados, sistemas de corte y acarreo, compra de suplementos de heno y uso de ensilaje de maíz y sorgo forrajero. En Nicaragua los pequeños productores obtenían los mayores rendimientos de leche por vaca en ordeño, en comparación con los medianos y grandes productores. En general se concluye que, en igualdad de condiciones de manejo, la producción de leche durante la época seca era significativamente inferior que en la de lluvias −−no obstante los grandes incentivos económicos durante la primera época−− debido a los costos relativamente elevados que demanda el manejo del hato durante la época seca, incluyendo los costos de oportunidad de la tierra con acceso a agua y el capital asociados con los mayores resultados durante la época seca. Es posible que la investigación cambie la situación de la producción de leche durante la época de lluvias vs. la reducción durante la época seca, ofreciendo alternativas de bajo costo por ejemplo: pasturas mejoradas, heno y ensilaje, árboles forrajeros, pastos de corte y acarreo. También es conveniente promover el trabajo colaborativo con diversos proyectos de desarrollo y ONGs, cuyos esfuerzos tienen que ver, entre otros, con los recursos de agua potable (pozos y bombas), subsidios para adecuación de equipos de riego, saneamiento doméstico, biogas para cocinar, introducción de nuevos materiales forrajeros, construcción de viviendas y reforestación y repoblación forestal.
Boletín Trimestral de la Cadena de Carne Vacuna: Edición No 3
(Newsletter, 2004-12) International Livestock Research Institute
Boletín Trimestral de la Cadena de Carne Vacuna: Edición No 2
(Newsletter, 2004-09) International Livestock Research Institute
Boletín Trimestral de la Cadena de Carne Vacuna: Edición No 1
(2004-06) International Livestock Research Institute
Boletín Trimestral de la Cadena de Carne Vacuna: Edición No 6
(Newsletter, 2006-03) International Livestock Research Institute
Boletín Trimestral de la Cadena de Carne Vacuna: Edición No 4
(Newsletter, 2005-04) International Livestock Research Institute
Boletín Trimestral de la Cadena de Carne Vacuna: Edición No 5
(Newsletter, 2005-12) International Livestock Research Institute

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