ECON 223 – Jim and Suzie Scott purchased

ECON 223 – Jim and Suzie Scott purchased

on the attachment - Jim and Suzie Scott purchased a property in northern Victoria which has the capacity to run a variety of grazing and cropping activities.
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Jim and Suzie Scott purchased a property in northern Victoria which has the capacity to run a variety of grazing and cropping activities.Activities670 ha of the property is suited to grazing and would be suitable for cattle, Merino, first-cross lamb, prime lamb or Dorper production. The market for livestock is very dynamic. Their research suggests that a cattle enterprise could generate $325/hd, Merinos $48/hd, first-cross lambs $56/hd, prime lambs $63/hd and Dorpers $47/hd.To intensify their grazing activities, the Scotts’ have the option of improving the pasture. They have been advised that this would cost $75/ha per year and it will take approximately 1 hour to spread fertilizer across 4 ha. The energy provided by each pasture type is shown in the table below. Feed energy (MJ/ha)Seasonnative pastureimproved pastureSpring8,37682,800Summer6,83014,280 Autumn6,1499,030 Winter4,09121,000The energy and labour requirements of each grazing activity are shown in the following table: Cattle Merino first-cross lambs Prime lambsDorpers Labour (hr/ha)Spring 0.3930.181 0.1810.1730.183Summer0.3530.126 0.1260.1180.113Autumn0.3680.121 0.1210.1170.087Winter0.3930.111 0.111 0.101 0.061 Feed required (MJ/hd)Spring 9,7201,4491,2781,608 1,854Summer5,850915748865 963Autumn7,670758788931 1,021Winter 10,1308171,1801,299 1,547The property also consists of an additional 350 ha ideal for growing wheat, barley, triticale, lupins or canola. The following table provides yields, prices, costs and the labour requirements for each crop per season.Wheat barley triticale lupins canolaYield (t/ha)2.882.983.061.831.79Price ($/t)195165135185370Cost ($/ha)12211392131237 Labour (hr/ha)Spring 00000Summer0.2860.2860.2860.50.5Autumn 0.8930.8930.7521.0221.793winter0.090.090.0900.18ConstraintsJim thinks the family can work a combined total of 650 hours per season. To maintain soil...