Economic feasibility of cactus plantations for forage and fodder production in the Mendoza plains (Argentina)

The economic feasibility of 50–200 ha cactus plantations for drought forage and fodder production was examined by simulation models. Models were run with 200–400 mm annual rainfall and two management systems: cut-and-carry (CAC) and direct browsing (DB). Cactus production was estimated from rain- use efficiency (RUE) factors: 15 kg dry matter (DM) ha−1year−1mm−1rainfall for 200 mm of rain, 18•8 kg DM ha−1year−1mm−1rainfall for 300 mm and 22•5 kg DM ha−1year−1mm−1for 400 mm. The value of the production was estimated using shadow prices: (1) the cost of energy and protein derived from those of concentrates; and (2) the price of steer meat on the hoof. Cactus production was found to be feasible in a direct browsing system with 300 mm rainfall on a 100 ha plantation and with 400 mm rainfall on a 50 ha plantation. With 400 mm rainfall, 100–200 ha plantations would be needed if the CAC system were adopted. The profitability calculations did not take into account the secondary benefits and this resulted in a very large underestimation of the economic impact of cactus plantations. The size of cactus plantations necessary to feed 1576 and 2273 Animal Unit Year (AUY) in a 37,500 ha cow–calf ranch were estimated to be 123 and 111 ha at 300 and 400 mm rainfall, respectively. The establishment cost of these plantations would increase the ranch investment by 7•4 to 10%, respectively.