ORIGINAL PAPER
Analysis of feeding strategies for small-scale dairy systems in central Mexico using linear programming
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1
School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, United Kingdom
 
2
Centre for Nutrition Modelling, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario NIG 2W1, Canada
 
 
Publication date: 2005-10-17
 
 
Corresponding author
E. Kebreab   

Centre for Nutrition Modelling, Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario NIG 2W1, Canada
 
 
J. Anim. Feed Sci. 2005;14(4):607-624
 
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
A limitation of small-scale dairy systems in central Mexico is that traditional feeding strategies are less effective when nutrient availability varies through the year. In the present work, a linear programming (LP) model that maximizes income over feed cost was developed, and used to evaluate two strategies: the traditional one used by the small-scale dairy producers in Michoacan State, based on fresh lucerne, maize grain and maize straw; and an alternative strategy proposed by the LP model, based on ryegrass hay, maize silage and maize grain. Biological and economic efficiency for both strategies were evaluated. Results obtained with the traditional strategy agree with previously published work. The alternative strategy did not improve upon the performance of the traditional strategy because of low metabolizable protein content of the maize silage considered by the model. However, the study recommends improvement of forage quality to increase the efficiency of small-scale dairy systems, rather than looking for concentrate supplementation.
 
CITATIONS (4):
1.
Modeling Small-Scale Dairy Farms in Central Mexico Using Multi-Criteria Programming
D. Val-Arreola, E. Kebreab, J. France
Journal of Dairy Science
 
2.
Recent advances in modeling nutrient utilization in ruminants1
E. Kebreab, J. Dijkstra, A. Bannink, J. France
Journal of Animal Science
 
3.
Crop Modeling and Decision Support
Virgilio Ambriz-Vilchis, Julieta G. Estrada-Flores, Martha Hernández-Ortega, María de los Angeles Rojas-Garduño, Octavio A. Castelán-Ortega
 
4.
Control algorithms and strategies of feeding for fed-batch fermentation of Escherichia coli: a review of 40 years of experience
Mohammad Mahmoodi, Ehsan Nassireslami
Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology
 
ISSN:1230-1388
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