AN OPTIMIZATION MODEL OF THE DUAL-PURPOSE CATTLE PRODUCTION SYSTEM INTHE HUMID LOWLANDS OF VENEZUELA

We developed a deterministic, multi-period linear programming (LP) mod el of the dual-purpose (milk-beef) cattle production system in the Sur del Lago region of Venezuela. The LP model selected animal, forage, a nd purchased feed activities subject to nutritional, land, and herd co mposition constraints to maximize discounted herd -net margin. A cattl e nutrition model provided original coefficients for feeds and animal nutrient requirements. Revised coefficients resulted from an iterative procedure to avoid errors from the interaction between diet and requi rements. Model applications demonstrated that alternatives to traditio nal feeding practices are profitable and nutritionally feasible. Howev er, the benefits of alternative nutritional management depend on labor availability. Our simulation of price policy changes in the late 1980 s indicated that dual-purpose producers may experience increased relat ive incentives for milk production under the new input and output pric es. The model is adaptable to dual-purpose production systems elsewher e in Latin America.