Strategies of long term of the uruguayan livestock farming in situations of uncertainty

Abstract

The intensity of climate changes, export dynamism, and pressure on land is largely uncertain in Uruguay though these events have an impact on forage production, prices variations and rents of lands. This study aims at characterizing long-term strategies of the Uruguayan farmers to persist in the production in this uncertain environment. A comparative analysis has been realized in 11 livestock farms (beef and dairy cattle) selected for their social and productive heterogeneousness. The analysis is based on a detailed characterization of the farm evolution pattern over time and a study of the current technical-economic functioning. We propose criteria which synthesis the long term principles of action and the operation of the production system. 4 strategies were identified: “survival”, “get big”, “technical optimization”, “high level of control”. It opposes caution situations associated with a traditional system to situations where taking risks with modification/intensification of the farming system is admitted. The Research and Extension group is developing a synthetic tool which aims at qualifying the farms dynamic operation and bring to a differentiated advice according to the farmers long term strategies.