Estrategias productivas y económicas de los pequeños y medianos productores de la Cuenca del Salado

Abstract

This paper analyzes the differential economic impact related to diverse productive and organizational strategies of productive units for two stockbreeding regions of the Province of Buenos Aires, where cattle raising is the major economic activity. The physical characterization of the productive units bore breeding stock, as well as land use, in mind. A second step involved estimating the economic results for two distinct productive cycles (2008/2009, and 2011/2012), assuming that the productive structure is left unmodified; i.e. a comparative analysis is carried out of the results obtained in those two periods. Changes in relative prices, brought about by increases in stockbreeding prices, as against agricultural prices, show generalized improvements in economic and financial indicators in pure cattle raising productive units, as well as in mixed systems. However, and in agreement with the different intensity in the use of the factors, especially land, indicate disparities that are of interest in the interpretation of strategies chosen by the farmers, as well as their degrees of flexibility. Economic and financial results obtained show a greater increase in those cases where the breeding system has greater relevance, and where a traditional production strategy is present (natural pasture feeding). A second relevant factor is the decrease of fixed costs (structure and amortizations costs) in their relationship with production net value. This may imply that the change in relative prices granted, especially small lots' owners, an opportunity to reflect on productive and organizational approaches, Finally, considerations are made on the pros and cons of extensive, vs intensive strategies, i.e. between corporate, traditional, or family behaviors. (English) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]