The work assessment method for a functional approach to extensive Uruguayan beef farmsOriginal Title (non-English) La methode Bilan travail pour l'approche du fonctionnement des elevages extensifs uruguayens [French]

摘要

Uruguay's traditional extensive ranching must face the increase of crops and forest surface, the recent episodes of drought and the disorders on international markets. The institutions linked to agricultural systems, like the Instituto Plan Agropecuario (IPA), are conscious of the complexity of the situation and try to adapt technical advice integrating the work dimension into the farm system approach. This study summarizes and presents the main conclusions of the Work Assessment method application on eight farms accompanied by the IPA. Three work organisational choices are distinguished (autonomy, share and supervision) considering the farmer's fieldwork participation and the wage-earning worker's administration. The results may be partially explained by some aspect such as farm size, the productive system and/or work organization choices, but other factors such as the desire to do the work in couples, to transmit work experience to children and the enhancement of the system's productivity may be also considered. The Work Assessment method is revealed to be significant for a functional approach to farm-systems and helps in understanding the main determinants of its way of functioning. This method is a new type of system approach and gives some clues for an adaptation of technical advice.