Economics of Livestock, Rangeland, and Ecosystem Sustainability

Position Title:Livestock and Rangeland Economist. Specialist in CE

Position:Agricultural economist who will contribute significantly to (i) the ability of the California range and livestock sector to develop and thrive as a key part of a competitive and sustainable food system, and (ii) the sustainable management of rangelandnatural resources. The position will require a PhD in agricultural economics or a closely related field and be housed in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) at UC Davis.

Justification:Livestock grazing land in CA comprises61% of the state’s agricultural land, and livestock (excluding dairy) accounted for $4.9 billion in revenues in 2011. The grazing sector of CA agriculture, however, faces critical challenges to maintain competitiveness and economic viability,while also managing natural resources sustainably,in the face of rapidly changing market conditions. Intensive rangeland management techniques (e.g.,targeted grazing) affect rangeland productivity, long-term economic viability, and ecosystem sustainability. Expanded environmentaland market regulationsrequire changes in management practicesand affect the economic sustainability of grazing. These issues are critical to the Water, Ag Productivity, and Natural Resources ANRInitiatives. A CE Specialist working in this area will conduct research and provide extension programming that will improve production and marketing decisionsfor CA ranchers and guide producers’ adaptation to changing regulations, resource constraints, and market conditions.

Extension: The clientele for this position includes growers, grower organizations, environmental organizations, and staff in state agencies including CDFA, Animal Health Branch, Statewide Veterinarian,DWR, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Resource Conservation Districts, CA Cattlemen’s Association, CA Woolgrowers Association, the Rangeland Conservation Coalition, CA Farm Bureau, and local governments.The successful candidate will develop educational programs in collaboration with clientele. Delivery methods will include targeted conferences and meetings, websites, webinars, on-line decision tools, and social media. Examples of programming include estate planning, use of conservation easements,return to value-added production options, and optimal feeding, grazing, and herd size under alternative economic and agronomic conditions.

Research publication outlets:Agricultural and Resource Economics Update, American J. of Agricultural Economics, California Agriculture, Progressive Rancher, J. of Animal Science, J. of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Land Economics, Rangeland Ecology and Management, Western Economics Forum, Agricultural Systems, Environmental and Resource Economics.

Research (specific potential topics indicated with bullets):

Competitiveness and economic viability: Slaughter capacity for cattle and sheep in CA is diminishing; animals must be shipped eastward for processing. Supplemental feed costs have risen due to increased competition for cropland. Potentially counterbalancing higher costs for CA ranchers is the opportunity to capture price premiums through value-added practices that respond to emerging consumer demands for animal products that are produced sustainably, naturally, and humanely.

• Analysis of potential of value-added attributes for California livestock
• Challenges and opportunities for high-value niche markets for livestock products in California
• Competitiveness of cattle procurement markets; strategies to enhance producer bargaining power
• Implications when key downstream buyers impose production restrictions such as bans on use of antibiotics, minimum space requirements for animals, etc.
• Market impacts of federal and state regulations on livestock procurement practices
• The value of ranching to rural communities and the tax base

Production: Livestock production practices must adapt to changes in environmental regulations, secular increases in costs of supplemental feeds, and evolving preferences of consumers. Economic sustainability requires identifying and implementing optimal responses.

• Optimal feeding strategies and herd sizes in response to changing feed costs and rangeland availability
• Costs and benefits of alternative responses to drought and other shocks
• Economic and environmental impacts of alternative rangeland management options (e.g., rotational grazing, fencing, stocking rates, weed control, and multi-species grazing)

Rangeland management/ecosystem sustainability:Ranchers must adapt to meet environmental standards and possibly generate revenues from providing environmental services.

• Ecosystem impact of rangeland management options including targeted grazing for weed control vs. herbicide or mechanical control

• Analysis of alternative responses to environmental (e.g. endangered species) and water quality and quantity regulation/compliance
• Economic evaluation of Total Maximum Daily Load and Irrigated Lands regulatory programs
• Valuation of providing ecosystem services on ranches; tradeoff between ag production revenue and conservation revenue
• Economics of greenhouse gas emissions associated with livestock production

ANR Network:An agricultural economist with the research and outreach focus described here will expand the scope and capacity of the ANR research agenda in livestock and rangeland management. The successful candidate will provide a critical economic component to ongoing research projects, as well as designing and leading new projects. Workgroups:Rangeland and Water Quality(RWQ), Livestock Production Systems (LPS), and Economics and Management of Food, Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment (EMFANRE).UCD Specialists:Jim Oltjen, Alison Van Eenennaam, Frank Mitloehner,Rob Atwill, Ken Tate, Karen Klonsky, and Bees Butler,UCCE Farm Advisors:Morgan Doran,Julie Finzel Larry Forero,Jeremy James, Fadzayi Mashiri, Glenn Nader,Jeff Stackhous, Jim Sullins, and new range and livestorck advisors being recruited for Fresno and Monterey Counties. UC DavisAES faculty: Valerie Eviner, Rachael Goodhue, Lovell Jarvis, Ermias Kebreab, Pierre Mérel, Robert Sainz, Richard Sexton, Dan Sumner, and Cassandra Tucker.

Support: Provided through the UCD ARE Department and the UC Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics (GFAE). ARE will supply an office and provide administrative, IT, and transportation support. The successful candidate will have membership in the GFAE and access to its funding opportunities, expanded network of UC economists interested in agricultural and resource issues, and the support of an Outreach Coordinator, who is located at UCD ARE and offers editorial, programming, and event-planning assistance.

Network External to ANR: The external network will include faculty from the state university system, the state and regional Water Quality Control Boards, and appropriate NGOs.

Other support: Various USDA programs such as AFRI and Risk Management Agency education grants, CDFA cooperative agreements, and private foundations are available to support this position.

Location:Location in ARE at UCD will enable close contact and collaboration with ARE’s other agricultural economists, talented cohort of graduate students, and skilled support staff.Locationon the Davis campus will facilitate interactions with colleagues in allied departments including Animal Science, Plant Sciences, and Land, Air, and Water Resources.

Developed and proposed by: Developed by members of the LPS, RWQ and EMFANREworkgroups, and CE and AES faculty in the UCD ARE Department. Position put forth in accordance with the document “Reinvigorating Economics within UCCE: Current Status and Strategic Plan,” submitted to Vice President Allen-Diaz February 2014. External groups supporting the position and providing feedback on key issues include the CA Cattlemen’s Association, the CA Farm Bureau, the CA Woolgrowers Association,the Animal Health Branch of the CDFA, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service of the USDA.