Grazing Lands Applications Decision Support System

Updated 02/27/2009

GLA is a user-friendly decision support software package developed for the grazing land planner/operator to aid in the inventory of land units, calculate stocking rates, calculate multiple species stocking rates (livestock and wildlife), determine nutritional requirements for grazing livestock and analyze the economic value of treatment alternatives. Each database portion of the program requires population of information which is localized to the area in which it is to be used. For example, plant species, growth curves and production may be specific to a state or adjusted to field office location.

The program contains two database modules used to localize specific information for an area and client. These database modules include Animal Resources Database and Plant/Soil Resources Databases. These include animal specific information , feedstuff information, soils, plant species, preferences, production levels, etc. The Client module selects from databases to customize and include information on soils, land use, species, production levels specific to an individuals operation to calculate stocking rates.

The Decision Support module includes a Management Evaluation Program, Multi Species Calculator and a Nutritional Balancing Analyzer. The management evaluation offers the planner an opportunity to analyze a clients potential to successfully complete a management system. The multi species calculator determines the ratio between kinds of livestock and wildlife and the stocking rate. The Nutritional Balancer determines the animals requirements based on environment, breed characteristics and animal demands during the evaluation period. The Economics module compares the present carrying capacity to the future capacity based on a conservation management system. GLA considers information such as: discount rate, planning horizon, animal demand, and variation in rainfall from the average. Specific data such as variable costs, percent offspring, animal selling price and weight is also included in the evaluation. Cost of improvement practices and increases from additional animal units, improved weights and selling price are compared to calculate Net Present Value and The Internal Rate of Return. This allows different conservation systems to be compared for decision making purposes.