Rangeland profitability in the northern Gulf region of Queensland: understanding beef business complexity and the subsequent impact on land resource management and environmental outcomes
Joe W. Rolfe A H , Alison E. Larard B , Bernard H. English A , Emma S. Hegarty C , Tim B. McGrath D , Niilo R. Gobius E , Joanne De Faveri A , Joanna R. Srhoj F , Michael J. Digby G and Richard J. Musgrove EA Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mareeba, Qld 4880, Australia.
B Agribusiness Consultant, Tolga, Qld 4882, Australia.
C Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Cloncurry, Qld 4824, Australia.
D Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia.
E Northern Gulf Resource Management Group, Mareeba, Qld 4880, Australia.
F Agribusiness Consultant, Mareeba, Qld 4880, Australia.
G NRM Spatial Hub, Yorkeys Knob, Qld 4878, Australia.
H Corresponding author. Email: joe.rolfe@daf.qld.gov.au
The Rangeland Journal 38(3) 261-272 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ15093
Submitted: 15 September 2015 Accepted: 22 March 2016 Published: 14 June 2016
Abstract
The farm-gate value of extensive beef production from the northern Gulf region of Queensland, Australia, is ~$150 million annually. Poor profitability and declining equity are common issues for most beef businesses in the region. The beef industry relies primarily on native pasture systems and studies continue to report a decline in the condition and productivity of important land types in the region. Governments and Natural Resource Management groups are investing significant resources to restore landscape health and productivity. Fundamental community expectations also include broader environmental outcomes such as reducing beef industry greenhouse gas emissions. Whole-of-business analysis results are presented from 18 extensive beef businesses (producers) to highlight the complex social and economic drivers of management decisions that impact on the natural resource and environment. Business analysis activities also focussed on improving enterprise performance. Profitability, herd performance and greenhouse emission benchmarks are documented and discussed.
Additional keywords: business management records, business performance, equity and expansion, greenhouse gas emissions, herd performance, seasonal variability, stocking rate management, succession.
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