Towards a control model for the highly cybernetic farming ecosystems

A dynamic model based on the linear systems theory is developed in designin g a highly cybernetic farming strategy to efficiently manage residuals gene rated in farm ecosystems. A linear cybernetic model would be used to descri be the dynamic behavior of resource flow in the farm ecosystem in which the state variables are resource quantities, and the control variables are res idual quantities. The controlled process is defined as the controlled manag ement strategy change. Cybernetic mechanism shows the application of residu als as control measures have determinate effects on the controlled process as along as the farming system is observable and controllable in the contro l sense. To illustrate the model algorithm the idea is applied to simulate the dynamic response of residual phosphorus concentrations in an integrated pig/corn farming system located in the south Taiwan region. General result s show that the residual phosphorous concentration is influenced by farming activities which are controlled by a system of gross input and net output parameters. This paper demonstrates using input-output analysis technique t hat residuals generated in the farming system is the most important cyberne tic variable, so that the proper management of residuals alone has the pote ntial to maintain future productivity and sustainability.