An economic analysis is an essential part of species selection decision making. Accurate analysis is difficult, however, due to the complexity. Many factors affect the profitability of forage and livestock systems including yield, quality, prices of replacement feedstuffs, and transportation costs. The full range of scale issues are also important from local to global affects on supply and demand.
The analysis provided here in the SSIS is simple but contains elements of macro- and micro-economics coupled with biological and social factors. Default values are provided and rationale described for a selected group of species. Values and weighting of values may be changed for creation of new profitability zone maps.