Economic evaluation of cattle and white tailed deer response to aerial spraying of mixed brush.

Abstract

Extract: The combined economic effects, based on returns for lease hunting of white tailed deer in conjunction with livestock production, were calculated following partial treatment (80% sprayed in alternating strips) and complete treatment of mixed brush in South Texas with aerial sprays of 2,4,5 T and picloram at 1 lb/acre. both approaches were economically feasible based on a 10% discount rate over a 9 year projected treatment life, except when the brush was completely sprayed and cattle prices were $0.255/lb. however, when cattle prices were less than $0.495/lb, partial treatment by aerial spraying was preferred, in an economic sense, since returns from lease hunting where 20% of the brush was left untreated for wildlife habitat more than compensated for reduced cattle returns.