A Linear Programming Model for an Integrated Crop and Intensive Beef Production Enterprise

Abstract

In an integrated crop and intensive beef production enterprise, some of the feedstuffs used for cattle feeding are grown by the enterprise. In evaluating the performance of operations of this type, the interactions between the crop and beef production parts of the enterprise must be taken into account. A linear programming (L.P.) model of this type of enterprise is developed, with the coefficients of the animal feeding activities being derived from a dynamic programming (D.P.) model. This D.P. model is used to determine the least-cost method of feeding animals to produce a specified liveweight gain using rations formulated by L.P. from a given set of feedstuffs. This approach allows the interactions between crop and livestock production to be taken into account without the need to make assumptions about the source of feedstuffs or the rate of liveweight gain.