ESTRATEGIAS DE PRODUCCIÓN PARA MAXIMIZAR EL MÁRGEN BRUTO EN UN SISTEMA TRADICIONAL GANADO-CULTIVO DEL SECANO DE LA IX REGIÓN (original) (raw)

2003, Agricultura Técnica

Based on a real crop-livestock production system, a linear programming model was developed to evaluate and maximize gross margins of the system. The real system evaluated over 4 seasons at the Carillanca Research Center, IX Region, considered a total surface of 15 ha, and a crop rotation with oats (Avena sativa), lupines (Lupinus angustifolius), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and two years of pasture with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and red clover (Trifolium pratense). Hereford steers of 7 -9 months of age were integrated into the system in order to finish them at 16-18 months of age and 390-400 kg liveweight (LW). The matrix of the model included 27 decision variables and 30 restrictions. Dry matter production of the pasture (input) was the basis of the cattle feeding. The daily LW gain of the steers was simulated through equations considering LW, DM availability and energy content of the pasture. Model results permit the examination of different options. For a system of 15 ha, the maximum gross margin was M$ 1,843 (pesos) with a fixed rotation of 3 ha for each crop and 27 steers in the system. In the evaluation of a free crop rotation, the gross margin of the system increased to M$ 2,672 with 49 steers on 10 ha of pasture, 2.7 ha of lupines and 0.88 ha of oats. In both situations, the animals were the main economic contributors of the system.