II. The Framework and Assumptions of the Study 



Crop and livestock alternatives typical of most dairy farms are 

 represented in a generalized linear programming model. The differ- 

 ences between farm situations are reflected in number of cows per 

 acre of cropland, milk response functions, and milk prices. Each 

 solution of the model represents the optimum organization for a 

 given package of resources. The adjustments to the cropping patterns 

 within these solutions may take up to 3 years to complete. 



A general explanation of the alternatives and factor relations of 

 the linear programming model follows.* 



Forage Crops 



Three species of forage may be seeded: an alfalfa-grass mixture, 

 a clover-grass mixture, and corn for silage. Where clover-grass and 

 alfalfa-grass revert to grass over a period of years, four alternative 

 stands of hay or pasture are available to the farmer: 



(1) Five-year alfalfa-grass 



(2) Two-year clover-grass 



(3) Three- to five-year grass following clover-grass 



(4) Six- to twelve-year grass following either alfalfa grass or 

 three- to five-year grass 



Stands of hay which yielded less than 0.3 tons of hay equivalent 

 per acre on any single cutting were not harvested. Yields at three 

 fertility levels were adjusted for losses of harvesting, storing, and 

 feeding (either hay or pasture). To allow maximum flexibility in the 

 feeding program, each stand (species and fertility level could be 

 harvested as: 



(1) Three cuts of hay 



(2) Two cuts of hay plus fall aftermath 



(3) One cutting of hay plus pasture and fall aftermath 



(4) Full season pasture 



Reseeded acres involve a nurse crop of oats which was pastured 

 in July and August. 



The crop alternatives required 29 forage harvesting processes, 

 three drylot feeding processes, four reseeding processes, and two 

 corn silage processes. The hay produced in these processes could 

 be fed to dairy cows and replacements or, in one series of solutions, 

 it could be sold at $27 per ton. 



The Dairy Herd 



Forage fed to dairy cows and replacements could be in any pro- 

 portion of pasture, hay and corn silage above a minimum of 1 ton of 

 hay per cov/ per year. In addition, forage from pasture was limited to 



* See appendix I for the linear programming model. 



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