Vollweide in der Bio-Milchviehhaltung aus ökonomischer Sichtweise am Beispiel Österreichs

The study in hand presents fundamental economic results of a three year scientific project which analyses the impacts of low input systems for organic dairy farms in Austria. Data based on a federal extension program reveal lower marginal costs per unit milk for low input systems. Compared to traditional production systems, organic farmers with low cost input systems obtain a similar income level with a significantly lower milk production. Additionally, the economic competition of low input systems can be considerably improved by adaptations which compensate the lower milk production as a result of a lower milk performance per cow. The study came up that especially organic dairy farms might benefit from a conversion to low input systems

The persistence of small dairy farms in Austria from an economic perspective

In the international comparison the structure of milk production in Austria is small scale. The present study presents two theoretical approaches to explain the persistence of small dairy farms in Austria: the opportunity cost principle and the theory of the agricultural household. With regard to the first one it is debatable whether the flat rates really can represent the costs of own production factors in their alternative uses in small enterprises. An illustration on the basis of production cost accounts shows that small dairy farms with no possibilities for the utilization of their own production factors (especially for labour) can cover the production costs by revenues only. Secondly it is argued that agricultural production is likely to continue in small dairy farms as long as the enterprise contributes persistently to the household income of the family. Indicators from the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) of voluntarily participating farms in Austria support the notion that labour is allocated efficiently between the enterprise and the household in small operations in order to achieve maximum total income. The study proposes arguments according to which it can be expected that rather small dairy farms are going to be a prominent presence in Austrian agriculture also in the future.Small dairy farms, production costs, farm household, opportunity costs, FADN, Consumer/Household Economics, Q12, R20,

Künftige Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Milchproduktion im Berggebiet Österreichs und der Schweiz

The mountain areas of Austria and Switzerland are important locations for dairy farming. Owing to natural conditions, the milk in these areas is produced at a considerably higher cost. Nevertheless, structural change in the mountain areas of both countries proceeded at a lower pace than in the plain areas. Milk production in the mountain area of Austria was appreciably expanded. This paper presents a number of attempts to explain these regional shifts, analysing the competitiveness of the farms, as well as the alternatives outside of milk production in the mountain and plain areas of Austria and Switzerland. In addition, we investigate whether milk production in these regions is also capable of holding its ground under future conditions. The on-average lower opportunity costs for land and labour in mountain areas are largely responsible for the high perseverance of dairy farmers in these regions. Common to both countries, however, is the fact that the competitiveness of farms in mountain areas can only be guaranteed by high direct payments. The extent of these direct payments is appreciably higher in Switzerland than in Austria, owing to the expected alignment of Swiss and EU milk prices, and the higher wage level in Switzerland. The high national economic importance of mountain milk production with regard to tourism and decentralised settlement explains the broad social acceptance of these payments, which should be less affected by cutbacks than other agricultural subsidies.competitiveness, milk production, mountain areas, opportunity costs, Austria, Switzerland, Agricultural and Food Policy, Livestock Production/Industries, Farm Management,

Economic Evaluation of Longevity in Organic Dairy Farming

The aim of this study was to highlight the economic importance of longevity in organic dairy cattle husbandry. Performance and reproductive data of 44,976 Austrian organic Simmental dairy cows were analysed by applying a bio-economic model. A farm scenario as well as different market situations were modelled. Overall costs declined with increasing longevity, due to dropping replacement costs. Annual profit was influenced considerably by milk yield and longevity. Short-lived animals needed substantially higher annual milk yields than long-lived animals to achieve equal annual profits. The applied market scenarios showed an increasing importance of longevity in situations of increasing economic pressure (+20% of concentrate price). It has been proven that extending longevity allows lower milk yield levels without decreasing profitability. Lower use of concentrates and reduced dependence on off-farm inputs and market fluctuations are further benefits

Rentabilität und Lebensqualität auf Bio-Milchviehbetrieben: ein Paradoxon?

This study examines a possible relationship between the economic key data of dairy farms and the family members’ subjective assessment of their perceived quality of life. Seven organic dairy farms were evaluated as part of the on-going project, “Integrative assessment of ecological, economic and social-ethic characteristics of sustainability of agricultural production systems in dairy farming”. Total costs, entrepreneurial profit and return on labour were chosen as key data for rentability. Job satisfaction, wealth in time and health were selected to describe the quality of life. The results confirm that bigger farms with more dairy cows operate more cost efficiently, but the farm with the most dairy cows was not the most successful economically. It was not possible to determine if larger, more economically successful farms also enjoy a higher quality of life due to the small sample size. However, correlations were found between the key data for rentability and wealth in time which warrant further study in future projects

Ökonomische Bewertung der Langlebigkeit von Milchkühen in der biologischen Landwirtschaft

The aim of this study was to highlight the economic importance of longevity in organic dairy cattle husbandry. Performance and reproductive data of 44,976 Austrian organic Simmental dairy cows were analysed by applying a bio-economic model. A farm scenario as well as different market situations were modelled. Overall costs declined with increasing longevity due to dropping replacement costs. Annual profit was influenced considerably by milk yield and longevity. Short-lived animals needed substantially higher annual milk yields than long-lived animals to achieve equal annual profits. The applied market scenarios showed an increasing importance of longevity in situations of increasing economic pressure (+20% of concentrate price). It has been proven that extending longevity allows lower milk yield levels without decreasing profitability. Lower use of concentrates and reduced dependence on off-farm inputs and market fluctuations are further benefits of increasing longevity

Ausstiegsabsichten und tatsächliche Ausstiegsgründe von Biobauern und Biobäuerinnen in Österreich - Analyse von Befragungsergebnissen

Austria established an environmental program (ÖPUL) for agriculture in 1995, including direct payments for organic farming. To participate in this measure farmers have to commit themselves to a five year period. In 1999 a survey was conducted to find out, to which extent organic farmers intended to drop out of the measure organic farming and to collect information about their reasons for this intention. In 2002 a new survey was carried out to compare the intentions with the actual developments. In 2004 additional information was collected through telephone interviews. The aim of this study was a) to compare the intended with the actual behaviour, b) to compare the ex ante and ex post expressed reasons for leaving the measure organic farming and c) to find out the arguments of these farmers who chose to continue farming organically

Einfluss von Erwerbsart, Betriebsgröße, natürlicher Erschwernis und Wirtschaftsweise auf die Nachhaltigkeit der österreichischen Milchviehhaltung

Diese Arbeit geht der Frage nach, inwieweit die Merkmale Erwerbsart, Betriebsgröße, natürliche Erschwernis und Wirtschaftsweise die Nachhaltigkeit der österreichischen Milchviehhaltung beeinflussen. Geprüft wird diese Frage mittels Nachhaltigkeitsindikatoren, die dem Netz der freiwillig buchführenden Betriebe im Jahr 2003 entnommen sind. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass größere Betriebe und Biobetriebe ein höheres Einkommen erwirtschafteten als kleinere Betriebe und konventionelle Betriebe. Im Rahmen der ökologischen Nachhaltigkeit weisen kleinere Betriebe, Bergbauernbetriebe sowie Biobetriebe tendenziell geringere Umweltbelastungen je Flächeneinheit aus. Demgegenüber konnten in größeren Betrieben, Nicht-Bergbauernbetrieben sowie konventionellen Betrieben geringere Umweltbeeinträchtigungen festgestellt werden, wenn die gewählten Indikatoren auf den produzierten Output bezogen wurden. Dieses Ergebnis wird mit dem in der Literatur beschriebenen „Effizienzproblem“ von kleineren Betrieben, Bergbauernbetrieben und Biobetrieben erklärt. Die generelle Frage, ob die Fläche oder der produzierte Output als Bezugsgröße für entsprechende Analysen heranzuziehen ist, kann in der vorliegenden Arbeit nicht abschließend beantwortet werden, da die Wahl der Bezugsgröße von gesellschaftlichen Ziel- und Wertvorstellungen abhängig ist

Der biologische Landbau in Österreich – Entwicklungen und Perspektiven

In den Jahren 1994 bis 1998 hatte der biologische Landbau in Österreich bisher seine stärkste Entwicklung. Die frühe Verankerung von Richtlinien für biologische Produkte pflanzlicher und tierischer Herkunft im österreichischen Lebensmittelbuch, die staatliche Förderung der Umstellung bzw. der Biobetriebe, günstige Bedingungen im Absatz durch den Einstieg der Supermarktketten, die Gründung einer Vermarktungsgesellschaft, eine aktive Verbandspolitik und der Ausbau der Beratung haben dazu beigetragen, dass Österreich in Europa den höchsten Anteil an Biobetrieben erreichte. Ende der neunziger Jahre hat sich diese dynamische Entwicklung nicht fortgesetzt. Ob die Krisen in der konventionellen Landwirtschaft einen neuerlichen Aufschwung durch eine anhaltend stärkere Nachfrage nach Bioprodukten bringen werden, lässt sich noch nicht abschätzen. Auch wenn betriebswirtschaftliche Untersuchungen für bestimmte Betriebe bzw. Regionen die ökonomische Vorzüglichkeit des biologischen Landbaus unter Beweis stellen, gibt es unter den derzeitigen Rahmenbedingungen eine Reihe von Vorbehalten und Hemmnissen, welche einer starken Ausweitung entgegenstehen. Vor dem Hintergrund einer starken Exportquote und der EU-Erweiterung wird erheblicher Handlungsbedarf geortet, um auch weiterhin zu den Ländern mit den höchsten Anteilen an Biobetrieben zu zählen

Ergebnisse zur saisonalen Low-Input Vollweidehaltung von Milchkühen im österreichischen Berggebiet

In a research project six dairy farms (5 organic, 1 low input) in mountainous regions of Austria were supervised in converting to a seasonal low-input dairy production system based on grazing. Within an observation period of three years (October 1st, 2004 – September 30th, 2007) a strict annual cycle in milk production and reproduction could be implemented on two farms only. In average a pasture proportion of 42 % (26–61 %) of the total feeding ration per year could be determined, depending on the farm specific conditions and the implementation level of this low input strategy. On four farms, which fed low amounts of supplemental feeds, a pasture proportion of 50 % of the total feeding ration was realized. With an input of only 470 kg DM concentrate (8 % of DM intake) per cow and year a milk performance of 5.837 kg with 4.1 % fat and 3.3 % protein was achieved. The results clearly indicate that the full grazing strategy with seasonal calving is feasible in Austria for animal health reasons. The project farms realized an average value of 0.29 Euro of payments free of direct charge per kg milk and 1.640 Euro per cow