Optimization of Profit for Pasture-Based Beef Cattle and Sheep Farming Using Linear Programming: Model Development and Evaluation

Addisu H. Addis, Hugh T. Blair, Paul R. Kenyon, Stephen T. Morris and Nicola M. Schreurs
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Addisu H. Addis: Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Hugh T. Blair: Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Paul R. Kenyon: Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Stephen T. Morris: Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Nicola M. Schreurs: Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand

Agriculture, 2021, vol. 11, issue 6, 1-16

Abstract: A linear programming optimization tool is useful to assist farmers with optimizing resource allocation and profitability. This study developed a linear programming profit optimization model with a silage supplement scenario. Utilizable kilograms of pasture dry matter (kg DM) of the total pasture mass was derived using minimum and maximum pasture mass available for beef cattle and sheep and herbage utilization percentage. Daily metabolizable energy (MJ ME/head) requirements for the various activities of beef cattle and sheep were estimated and then converted to kg DM/head on a bi-monthly basis. Linear programming was employed to identify the optimum carrying capacity of beef cattle and sheep, the most profitable slaughtering ages of beef cattle, the number of prime lambs (sold to meat processing plants), and sold store lambs (sold to other farmers for finishing). Gross farm revenue (GFR) and farm earnings before tax (EBT) per hectare and per stock unit, as well as total farm expenditure (TFE), were calculated and compared to the average value of Taranaki-Manawatu North Island intensive finishing sheep and beef Class 5 farming using Beef and Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) data. The modeled farm ran 46% more stock units (a stock unit consumed 550 kg DM/year) than the average value of Class 5 farms. At this stocking rate, 83% of the total feed supplied for each species was consumed, and pasture supplied 95% and 98% of beef cattle and sheep feed demands, respectively. More than 70% of beef cattle were finished before the second winter. This enabled the optimized system to return 53% and 188% higher GFR/ha and EBT/ha, respectively, compared to the average values for a Class 5 farm. This paper did not address risk, such as pasture growth and price fluctuations. To understand this, several additional scenarios could be examined using this model. Further studies to include alternative herbages and crops for feed supply during summer and winter are required to expand the applicability of the model for different sheep and beef cattle farm systems.

Keywords: linear programming; profit optimization; pasture utilization; sheep and beef farm; slaughter age (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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