Toolkit Supports Livestock Decisions

The Agricultural Innovation and Commercialization Center at Purdue University has developed a Comparative Decision Support toolkit online resource to assist with entry-level decision-making about small-scale livestock enterprises.  

This Comparative Decision Support (CDS) toolkit provides realistic expectations across multiple livestock enterprises. It uses an individual’s input and returns customized results.
In 2010, Purdue University graduate student, Anna Lee Allcorn, received a $10,000 NCR-SARE Graduate Student Grant to evaluate the economic returns and business opportunities for alternative sustainable livestock enterprises, and to develop a decision support tool for farmers and ranchers considering a new livestock enterprise.

“Small scale livestock enterprises can be profitable ventures that contribute to the sustainability of rural communities,” said Allcorn. “Individuals looking to begin an agricultural endeavor, whether full- or part-time, or existing farmers and ranchers looking to diversify, can find value in small scale livestock operations.”

Cow-calf, dairy steers, sheep, goats, and turkey enterprises are included in the decision toolkit because Allcorn recognized a need for a diverse set of species that are readily available in the North Central region. Ultimately, she developed the online toolkit to help people make better decisions.

“When decision-makers are able to make better investment decisions there is a greater chance they will be successful, which in turn has a positive long term impact on the quality of life of the participants, the economies of the rural communities where they live and the livestock industry overall.” said Allcorn.

You can find the Comparative Decision Support toolkit online. 
 

Want more information? See the related SARE grant(s) GNC10-133, Economic Based Decision Support to Promote Sustainable Livestock Enterprises.