Linear programming model for the optimization of management decisions on the dairy farm

The model contains activities for crop production, including both forage and grain crops, for the feeding of livestock, for the production of milk, for the production of dairy beef, and activities for both raising and buying herd replacements. The model also includes activities for the hiring of seasonal labor, renting of additional land, hiring of custom hay harvesting and custom combining, and activities for the purchase and sale of hay and grain crops and the purchase of protein supplements. The model considers the effect of early and late harvesting on the yield and quality of the crops produced. These effects are taken into consideration in the optimization of the forage and concentrate ration for the livestock and ultimately in the optimization of the crop production program. The model provides the dairyman with a crop production schedule, a profit and loss statement, a land preparation schedule, a least-cost ration, including both forages and concentrates and a schedule of when to feed each crop, and a schedule of the value of additional units of the resources which limit the total dairy farm operation.