Animals not only provide resources that are quantified and have monetary values but also provide services that are not defined in economic terms such as draught power and manure production. How can we calculate the economic values of these functions?
Dear Tshering,
They are defined already in economic terms and values. I encourage you reading articles related to the profitability of manure production for agriculture, biomass production, and etc. But unfortunately animals, and mostly ruminants, produce GHG (Green House Gas) which is harmful for the environment. Environmental friendly discuss a lot about it as nearly 10-12 % of GHG are produces by animals. It's huge. In this case two question would arise. Do increasing productions (including, milk, meat, etc) per cow, reduces GHG emissions? or what shall we do to balance between production and friendly environmental living to reduce the danger of health issues and economically acceptable for farmers? Recently, I have read the article related to this question. Please find it and read. It is helpful to expand your information. " Does increasing milk yield per cow reduc greenhouse gas emissions?" bye: M, Zehetmeier et al. (2011).
In GDP calculation you should be mindful of double counting. Also note that there is only a unique value for all assets at a particular point in time (read on travel cost). Draught power has no value if it is not used for production. The real value of draught power is captured at fair value (either value in use or market value and not both). In GDP calculation draught power would be captured under Agriculture
You can value the animals as an asset...and the value of draught animals typically increases with age to a point and then begins to decline. This is because the value of the draught service is typically already monetized in the market value of the animal. You might also look at the "rental rates" for draught services but, as noted, be careful of double counting.
I agree with Bill kinsey. Counting drought for GDP might double the counting.
Well to me it definitely depends on the context, for instance if drought power is highly tradable in the country n question consequently providing significant contributions to GDP, then why not it could be captured under agriculture but its contribution to AgGDP as we as the total could be examined since its a significant contributor.
However if its contributions is negligible, then it won't be necessary accounting for it is in GDP estimations
thank you to Jalil. A useful contribution from you. I will have a look at it and see how different is my context to the article you mentioned. Thank you.
What does a dairy cows greenhouse gas emissions really have to do with a draught animal power? Seldom are in-production dairy cows ever used for draught purposes. A young neutered male cow being raised for meat is the norm if we are talking about cattle. Horses or ponies are not ruminants and the equasion wouldn't work, they produce less greenhouse gas than the ruminant. They are also seldom used for feeding people in most parts of the world. Goats can be used for their draught power and produce less gas and their feces break down faster then cattle.
What kind of draught animal?
See http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/Downloads/ghgemissions/US-GHG-Inventory-2012-Chapter-6-Agriculture.pdf
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