Wimmer, Stefan

January, 2023

By: Stetter, Christian; Wimmer, Stefan; Sauer, Johannes
This study compares the greenhouse gas (GHG) efficiency of intensive and extensive dairy farms and determines their GHG mitigation potential. We combine the concept of eco-efficiency with latent class stochastic frontier analysis and the estimation of a stochastic metafrontier. In the case of Bavaria, Germany, we find that intensive dairy farms convert GHG emissions on average more efficiently into farm economic output than their extensive counterparts. Extensive farms could, on average, reduce GHG emissions by 225 t CO$_2$ equivalent per year while intensive farms could reduce emissions by 130 t CO$_2$ equivalent without reducing their economic output.

May, 2022

By: Wimmer, Stefan ; Frick, Fabian
Farm animal welfare has become increasingly important in public debates. This study uses an interval regression approach to estimate German dairy farmersÕ willingness to change selected animal welfare-related farming practices. The analysis reveals that the highest price premiums are required for implementing cowÐcalf rearing and accepting a herd size limit, while farmers provide deep cubicles and ample space without premiums. Furthermore, farms with large herds require higher compensation to provide pasture grazing than smaller farms. Overall, we find no simple relationship between farm size and the willingness to change animal welfare-related practices.