J. Anim Sci.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Nicholson, C. F.
Right arrow Articles by Van Soest, P. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Nicholson, C. F.
Right arrow Articles by Van Soest, P. J.

Journal of Animal Science, Vol 72, Issue 7 1680-1696, Copyright © 1994 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Economic comparison of nutritional management strategies for Venezuelan dual-purpose cattle systems

C. F. Nicholson, R. W. Blake, C. I. Urbina, D. R. Lee, D. G. Fox and P. J. Van Soest
Department of Agricultural, Managerial, and Resource Economics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.

Objectives of this study were to compare three nutritional management strategies for dual-purpose herds in Venezuela in 1987 using a deterministic, multiperiod linear programming model of a representative farm. The model maximized discounted net margin (total revenues minus variable costs) from the herd for a 3-yr cow replacement cycle partitioned into six periods. The periods accounted for seasonal variation in forage availability and quality, and the model provided information about optimal animal inventories, animal sales, land in forage, and feed supplements. We compared current nutritional management practices and alternatives allowing optimal supplementation with commercial concentrate, molasses, cassava root, and urea. Iteration between the programming model and results from the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System assured technical coefficients consistent with predicted animal performance. Compared with management practices relying on commercial concentrate, optimal use of molasses and urea permitted increases in the stocking rate. Productivity and profit were restricted primarily by energy intake, which was constrained by intakes of NDF and DM. Alternative management strategies changed the relative importance of nutrient requirements and feed intake constraints. Thus, optimal interventions to alleviate nutritional constraints will vary with current management. Mobilizing adipose and protein tissues during lactation was optimal for most strategies. Supplementing with molasses and urea instead of commercial concentrate was the most profitable strategy, increasing herd net margin by 16% compared to the predominant feeding strategy in the late 1980s.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J ANIM SCIHome page
B. L. Rueda, R. W. Blake, C. F. Nicholson, D. G. Fox, L. O. Tedeschi, A. N. Pell, E. C. M. Fernandes, J. F. Valentim, and J. C. Carneiro
Production and economic potentials of cattle in pasture-based systems of the western Amazon region of Brazil
J Anim Sci, December 1, 2003; 81(12): 2923 - 2937.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1994 by the American Society of Animal Science.