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Modeling Beef Production Systems¹

Texas A&M University, College Station

Abstract

Systems analysis techniques may be applied to modeling beef production at many different hierarchical levels. Beef production systems may be modeled from the level of the cell to the level of a region or country; choice of the proper level is critical to the attainment of objectives. A system may be described with a mathematical model that may be used to examine effects of alternative practices or inputs on a given objective function. Maximization techniques may be applied to simulate optimal breeding or management systems for a specific set of production, economic and social conditions, the modeling exercise is a systematic method of applying segmented knowledge to specific dynamic production situations. Modeling also brings areas of insufficient but important knowledge into focus. Even though mathematical models have long been used in animal science, only recently have they been applied to production systems, but the present models are limited in scope and not suitable for wide use. Further development of systems models will add substantially to our applied and scientific capabilities, especially as the body of knowledge related to beef production continues to increase.

¹ Invitational paper presented at 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science, College Park, Maryland, July 28—31, 1974.

² Present address: Institute Nacional Teenologia Agropecuaria, Balcarce, Argentina. Formerly Visiting Associate Professor, Texas A&M University.

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				A. Trenkle and R. L. Willham Beef Production Efficiency Science, December 9, 1977; 198(4321): 1009 - 1015. [Abstract] [PDF]