Agricultural Economics Department, Rural Economy and Development Programme, Teagasc, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland.
J Dairy Sci. 2012 Jan;95(1):188-95. doi: 10.3168/jds.2011-4512.
Profitability and factors affecting grazing season length were econometrically analyzed using a representative sample of Irish dairy farms. The objective of this study was to explore what potential exists on Irish dairy farms to extend the grazing season and to quantify the possible economic benefits that result from lengthening the grazing season. Regression results indicate that location factors affect the length of the grazing season, but even when physical factors are controlled, farmer characteristics, such as education, also affect the grazing season length. The results of a panel data analysis show that significant cost reductions can be achieved by extending the grazing season. Overall, the findings indicate that lengthening the grazing season offers a cost-saving alternative on many Irish dairy farms, which could contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the Irish dairy sector.
采用爱尔兰奶牛场的代表性样本，运用计量经济学方法分析了盈利能力和影响放牧季节长度的因素。本研究旨在探讨爱尔兰奶牛场延长放牧季节的潜力，并量化延长放牧季节带来的可能经济效益。回归结果表明，地理位置因素会影响放牧季节的长短，但即使控制了自然因素，农民的特征，如教育程度，也会影响放牧季节的长短。面板数据分析的结果表明，延长放牧季节可以显著降低成本。总体而言，研究结果表明，在许多爱尔兰奶牛场，延长放牧季节是一种节省成本的替代方案，这有助于增强爱尔兰乳制品行业的竞争力。
