A Linear Programming Model for One of the 

 Representative Farms 



An illustration of the linear programming model is presented in 

 Tahle 5. This model was used for Area 3 (Southeastern New England) . 

 The ahbreviated matrix form describes activities, constraints, and gen- 

 eral structure although the grouping together of similar activities and 

 constraints removes some of the details of the model. 



The feeding activities (X4_9) represent points on a grain-forage- 

 milk production function and offer a choice in the milk production level 

 ranging from 9,160 to 10,780 pounds per cow. One of the two "cow" 

 activities is for 10 base cows which carry the overhead labor require- 

 ments for the whole herd. They are forced into the solution by a high 

 negative C; value of the disposal activity of the ten cows. The second 

 "cow" activity, called variable cows, offers aL choice in the number of 

 cows in the herd. Variable cows are constrained principally by the 

 labor and/or barn capacity, but the barn capacity limit can be overcome 

 by barn construction activities up to the limit of available capital funds, 

 if it is profitable to do so. The model also offers choices of raising or buying 

 replacements (Xio-14) and buying or selling hay (X23_24). There are 



Table 6. Major Resource Levels of an Area 3, Group 5 Farm 

 Selected for Illustrating the Step Supply Function 



Resource levels 



Unit 



Quantity 



Land : 



Total land 

 Total cropland 

 Cropland rented in 

 Permanent pasture 



Crop: 



Legume-grass 

 Grass 

 Corn silage 



Livestock: 

 Milk cows 

 Youngstock 



Building: 



Barn capacity 

 Silo capacity 



Labor: 

 Family 



Winter 



Spring 



Summer 



Fall 

 Regular hired 

 Winter 



Financial: 



Real estate value 

 Real estate loans 

 Borrowing capacity 



Acre 

 Acre 

 Acre 

 Acre 



Acre 

 Acre 

 Acre 



Number 

 Number 



Head 

 Ton 



Hour 

 Hour 

 Hour 

 Hour 



Hour 



Dollar 

 Dollar 

 Dollar 



278 

 97 

 48 

 83 



30 

 56 

 11 



58 



22 



63 



528 



1,346 

 1,634 

 1,868 

 1,623 



528 



43,500 



5,500 



16,250 



23 



