Economic Potential of Swine Effluent in Intensified Forage Systems in the Southern Plains

The projected long-run increase in corn prices from $2.50 to $3.50 per bushel is expected to have a similar effect on feed prices, pushing up feed costs by as much as 50 percent. With feed costs on the rise, increasing forage production through more intensive management techniques becomes a potentially viable option. This study uses experimental data from a seven-year study in the Oklahoma Panhandle to assess the economic feasibility of intensifying forage production. Four commonly used forage grasses in the region were field tested using two alternative fertilizer sources – swine effluent and urea. The results found that only the two cool season grasses – orchard grass and wheatgrass – generated positive economic returns under intensification.