An improved algorithm for solving profit-maximizing cattle diet problems
Feeding cattle with on-pasture supplementation or feedlot diets can increase animal efficiency and system profitability while minimizing environmental impacts. However, cattle system profit margins are relatively small and nutrient supply accounts for most of the costs. This paper introduces a nonli...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Animal |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731120001433 |
| _version_ | 1818740218977583104 |
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| author | J.G.O. Marques R. de O. Silva L.G. Barioni J.A.J. Hall L.O. Tedeschi D. Moran |
| author_facet | J.G.O. Marques R. de O. Silva L.G. Barioni J.A.J. Hall L.O. Tedeschi D. Moran |
| author_sort | J.G.O. Marques |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Feeding cattle with on-pasture supplementation or feedlot diets can increase animal efficiency and system profitability while minimizing environmental impacts. However, cattle system profit margins are relatively small and nutrient supply accounts for most of the costs. This paper introduces a nonlinear profit-maximizing diet formulation problem for beef cattle based on well-established predictive equations. Nonlinearity in predictive equations for nutrient requirements poses methodological challenges in the application of optimization techniques. In contrast to other widely used diet formulation methods, we develop a mathematical model that guarantees an exact solution for maximum profit diet formulations. Our method can efficiently solve an often-impractical nonlinear problem by solving a finite number of linear problems, that is, linear time complexity is achieved through parametric linear programming. Results show the impacts of choosing different objective functions (minimizing cost, maximizing profit and maximizing profit per daily weight gain) and how this may lead to different optimal solutions. In targeting improved ration formulation on feedlot systems, this paper demonstrates how profitability and nutritional constraints can be met as an important part of a sustainable intensification production strategy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T01:37:15Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fc46868396b24a71bedb0a9fbe5e44eb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1751-7311 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T01:37:15Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animal |
| spelling | doaj.art-fc46868396b24a71bedb0a9fbe5e44eb2022-12-21T21:25:25ZengElsevierAnimal1751-73112020-01-0114s257s266An improved algorithm for solving profit-maximizing cattle diet problemsJ.G.O. Marques0R. de O. Silva1L.G. Barioni2J.A.J. Hall3L.O. Tedeschi4D. Moran5Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UKGlobal Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UKEmbrapa Agricultural Informatics, Campinas 13083-886, BrazilSchool of Mathematics, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FD, UKDepartment of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2371, USAGlobal Academy of Agriculture and Food Security, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UKFeeding cattle with on-pasture supplementation or feedlot diets can increase animal efficiency and system profitability while minimizing environmental impacts. However, cattle system profit margins are relatively small and nutrient supply accounts for most of the costs. This paper introduces a nonlinear profit-maximizing diet formulation problem for beef cattle based on well-established predictive equations. Nonlinearity in predictive equations for nutrient requirements poses methodological challenges in the application of optimization techniques. In contrast to other widely used diet formulation methods, we develop a mathematical model that guarantees an exact solution for maximum profit diet formulations. Our method can efficiently solve an often-impractical nonlinear problem by solving a finite number of linear problems, that is, linear time complexity is achieved through parametric linear programming. Results show the impacts of choosing different objective functions (minimizing cost, maximizing profit and maximizing profit per daily weight gain) and how this may lead to different optimal solutions. In targeting improved ration formulation on feedlot systems, this paper demonstrates how profitability and nutritional constraints can be met as an important part of a sustainable intensification production strategy.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731120001433linear programmingnonlinear programmingration formulationoptimizationfeedlot |
| spellingShingle | J.G.O. Marques R. de O. Silva L.G. Barioni J.A.J. Hall L.O. Tedeschi D. Moran An improved algorithm for solving profit-maximizing cattle diet problems Animal linear programming nonlinear programming ration formulation optimization feedlot |
| title | An improved algorithm for solving profit-maximizing cattle diet problems |
| title_full | An improved algorithm for solving profit-maximizing cattle diet problems |
| title_fullStr | An improved algorithm for solving profit-maximizing cattle diet problems |
| title_full_unstemmed | An improved algorithm for solving profit-maximizing cattle diet problems |
| title_short | An improved algorithm for solving profit-maximizing cattle diet problems |
| title_sort | improved algorithm for solving profit maximizing cattle diet problems |
| topic | linear programming nonlinear programming ration formulation optimization feedlot |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731120001433 |
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