Hostname: page-component-7479d7b7d-q6k6v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-13T08:42:06.477Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Using goal programming in formulating rations for pregnant ewes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

Heather D. St C. Neal
Affiliation:
Animal and Grassland Research Institute, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 5LR
J. France
Affiliation:
Animal and Grassland Research Institute, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 5LR
T. T. Treacher
Affiliation:
Animal and Grassland Research Institute, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 5LR
Get access

Abstract

Models are described which utilize goal programming to maximize hay intake in the formulation of rations for ewes in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. By treating the energy or protein allowances (or both) as goals rather than restrictions, rations in addition to the linear programming (LP) optimal solution are generated. The approach offers a flexible alternative to the standard LP approach by providing additional rations with known deviations from the allowances. A set of guidelines is given to determine which of these rations could be tolerated when the nutritional requirements cannot be satisfied.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1986

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Brown, C. A., Chandler, P. T. and Holter, J. B. 1977. Development of predictive equations for milk yield and dry matter intake in lactating cows. J. Dairy Sci. 60: 17391754.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Charnes, A. and Cooper, W. W. 1961. Management Models and Industrial Applications of Linear Programming, Vol. 1. Wiley, New York.Google Scholar
Meat and Livestock Commission. 1981. Feeding the Ewe. Sheep Improvement Services, Meat and Livestock Commission, Bletchley, Milton Keynes.Google Scholar
Neal, Heather D. St C., France, J., Orr, R. J. and Treacher, T. T. 1985. A model to maximize hay intake when formulating rations for pregnant ewes. Anim. Prod. 40: 93100.Google Scholar
Orr, R. J. and Treacher, T. T. 1984. The effect of concentrate level on the intake of hays by ewes in late pregnancy. Anim. Prod. 39: 8998.Google Scholar
Romero, C. and Rehman, T. 1984. Goal programming and multiple criteria decision-making in farm planning: an expository analysis. J. agric. Econ. XXXV: 177190.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
White, I. R., Russel, A. J. F. and Fowler, D. G. 1984. Real-time ultrasonic scanning in the diagnosis of pregnancy and the determination of foetal numbers in sheep. Vet. Rec. 115: 140143.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zeleny, M. 1982. Multiple Criteria Decision-Making. McGraw-Hill, New York.Google Scholar