@conference {41792,
	title = {Systems and economic analysis of use of maize silage within pasture-based beef production},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {68},
	year = {2008},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {63-66},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	address = {Brisbane, Australia},
	abstract = {The productivity and profitability of the use of maize silage (MS) within pasture-based beef production systems was evaluated using the Farmax Pro{\textregistered} model. Farm systems were simulated based on an intensive one year-old steer production system with two pasture growth patterns (Waikato and Hawkes Bay), three different proportions of the farm in MS production (0\%, 5\% or 10\%) and MS fed either during winter (W) or summer (S). MS cost 13.5 and 16.1 c/kg dry matter (DM) for Waikato and Hawkes Bay respectively. This price included the cost of growing, harvesting, ensiling and feeding. Beef schedule prices were based on $1.80/kg live weight (LW). Feeding MS increased beef production in all scenarios tested by a mean of 36\% with values of 427, 581 and 576 kg net meat/ha/year for the no MS, S and W feeding systems respectively. Farm profitability (gross margin per hectare) was increased by feeding MS in W and S, with values of $934 and $754 respectively, compared with the no MS system of $636. MS feeding was still profitable at a schedule price of $1.40/kg LW and at higher MS costs up to 23 c/kg DM. Appropriate use of MS in beef production systems can substantially improve animal performance and farm profitability. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Carracelas JG and Boom CJ and Litherland AJ and WMcG King and Williams ID}
}
