Forage−animal energy balance and benefit analysis of household ranches in different stocking rates

Forage and animal balance is an effective way to regulate the production and ecological development of grassland pastoral areas, and the study of forage and animal energy balance plays an important role in improving forage and animal supply-demand relationships and economic efficiency at the scale of household ranches. In this study, based on research data from 59 household ranches in Zhenglan Banner, different stocking rate gradients were divided into different stocking rate gradients and typical herders were constructed based on the current stocking rate. The grass and livestock energy balance model was used to simulate the annual supply and demand of forage and animal energy and to plan a reasonable management plan. The factors affecting the profitability of household ranches were determined by principal component analysis. The results showed that the forage expenditure of household ranches in the study area increased with the increase in stocking rate. Among them, the average cost of feed in high stocking rate pastures was117 500 yuan higher than that in low stocking rate pastures; in terms of economic benefits of livestock, low stocking rate household ranches had the highest net income per unit of livestock, and the net income per unit of livestock was 1075.82 yuan·SE⁻¹·a⁻¹, which was significantly higher than that of medium stocking rate and high stocking rate household ranches (P<0.05). Livestock energy supply and demand were unbalanced during the year, and the energy deficit of grassland in winter and spring was up to 10.61 MJ·SE⁻¹·d⁻¹, while the grassland in summer and fall met the energy supply and had a surplus; the area of natural grassland and the number of livestock had a significant effect on the profitability of the household ranch under different stocking rates. Enhancing the performance of individual livestock by reducing the number of livestock and changing feeding combinations is important for the sustainable development of household ranches and for achieving a winning situation in terms of ecology and economy.