The use of linear programming in least-cost feed compounding

Abstract

Intensive types of livestock production such as poultry and pigs promise to become of increasing importance in New Zealand agriculture. In such enterprises, feed costs constitute a very high proportion of total variable costs. Any method of computing low cost feeds is obviously of great importance. Linear programming is one such method which has been widely used overseas. In this bulletin Mr Taylor applies this method to the problem of formulating least-cost commercial feed compounds for broiler chickens.