Simulation Of Beef Cattle Production Systems And Its Use In Economic Analysis PDF
Preview Simulation Of Beef Cattle Production Systems And Its Use In Economic Analysis
Simulation of Beef Cattle Production Systems and Its Use in Economic Analysis C\ Taylor & Francis ~ Taylor & Francis Group http:// taylora ndfra ncis.com About the Book and Editors Economic analysis of beef cattle production has been limited by incomplete descriptions of the production process under which analysis takes place. With the exception of feedlot finishing, beef cattle production is the process of growing cattle on forage. Both the animal and its forage possess attributes of inputs and outputs of production. The production of forage constitutes one production process, weight gain by the animal represents another, and reproduction by female animals is yet a third process. Cattle repro- duction involves all three processes, each influencing the outcomes of the others. The processes are complex in and of themselves and are further complicated when analyzed simultaneously. The contributors provide several comprehensive models of beef cattle production systems. overviews of the Texas A&M herd simulation model and the Kentucky BEEF models are coupled with studies using the models in economic analysis. Other chapters examine the extension of neoclassical economic theory to dynamic production processes, a model of DNA and protein synthesis, and the prospects of extending complex simulation models of animal production systems to beef cattle producers. Thomas H. Spreen is an associate professor in the Food and Resource Economics Department of the University of Florida. David H. Laughlin is an associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Mississippi State University. C\ Taylor & Francis ~ Taylor & Francis Group http:// taylora ndfra ncis.com Simulation of Beef Cattle Production Systems and Its Use in Economic Analysis edited by Thomas H. Spreen and David H. Laughlin Chapter V was prepared by U.S. government employees as part of their official duties and legally cannot be copyrighted. First published 1986 by Westview Press, Inc. Published 2019 by Routledge 52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017 2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business Copyright © 1986 Taylor & Francis All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Simulation of beef cattle production systems and its use in economic analysis. (Westview special studies in agriculture science and policy) Includes index. 1. Beef cattle--Simulation methods. 2. Beef cattle-- Economic aspects--Simulation methods. I. Spreen, Thomas H. II. Laughlin, David H. III. Series. SF207.S387 1986 636.2'13 86-4065 ISBN 13: 978-0-367-28729-0 (hbk) Contents PREFACE.•........................................ ix I. Historical Perspective of Biological Simulation with Special Reference to Beef-Forage Systems T.D.A. Forbes and James w. Oltjen...... 1 II. Biological Simulation and Its Role in Economic Analysis James N. Trapp and Odell L. Walker..... 13 III. Introduction to Simulation of Beef Cattle Production s.c. Denham and T.H. Spreen............ 39 IV. The Kentucky Beef-Forage Model Otto J. Loewer and Edward M. Smith..... 63 v. A Discussion of the Dynamic Simulation Model ·PASTURE· L.M. Tharel, M.A. Brown, E.M. Smith, and C.T. Dougherty ••••••••••••••••••••• 101 VI. Use of the Kentucky Beef-Forage Model in Economic Analysis Lucas D. Parsch, Otto J. Loewer, and David H. Laughlin •••••••••••••••••• 137 VII. The Texas A&M Beef Cattle Simulation Model T.C. Cartwright and P.E. Doren......... 159 vii VIII. Economic Analysis of Cattle Systems Using the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Simulation Model Gregory Sullivan and Enrique Cappella ••••••••••••••••••• 193 IX. The Colorado State University Beef Production Model R.M. Bourdon and J.s. Brinks ••••••••••• 227 x. A Dynamic Model of Beef Cattle Growth· and Composition James w. Oltjen •••••••••••••••••••••••• 239 XI. Delivering, Updating, and Maintaining Large- Scale Simulation Models: The Role of Professional Agricultural Economists David H. Laughlin and w. Charles Walden •••••••••••••••••• 249 XII. Administration of Multidisciplinary Research N.P. Thompson and J.M. Davidson •••••••• 261 INDEX.............................................. 267 viii Preface Economic analysis of beef cattle production has been limited by the inability to fully describe the underlying production process. Except for confined feeding of cattle, beef cattle production is the pro- cess of growing cattle who consume forages. The animal and the forage possess attributes of both factors and products of production. The production of forage con- stitutes one production process, animal growth is another production process, and reproduction by female animals is a third production process. Cattle produc- tion involves all three processes in such a manner that each influences the outcome of the other. Each process is itself complex and analysis is further complicated when all three are considered simultaneously. If we. are unable to adequately describe such basic relationships as stocking rate, weight gain, calving rate, and culling rate, then correct measurement of inputs and outputs is impossible. Economic analysis becomes a matter of guesswork and the resulting conclu- sions questionable. Recent advances in understanding basic biological relationships coupled with advances in computer simula- tion have spurred the devlopment of mathematical models of beef cattle production systems. This volume is a collection of papers in which various aspects of simu- lation of beef cattle production systems are discussed. Several prominent researchers in beef cattle simulation model development have contributed papers which docu- ment their individual efforts. Presentation of biolog- ical models are augmented with papers written by agri- cultural economists who have utilized these models in economic analysis. In the first paper by Forbes and Oltjen, a histor- ical perspective of systems simulation of beef cattle production is presented. They document the fact that the last ten years has brought significant advances in modeling beef cattle production systems. In the next paper, Trapp and Walker argue that for complex agricul- ix
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