Changes in Model Specification. The present analysis could be improved bv a 

 more complete specification of constraints with respect to the vitamin and 

 mineral requirements of the species considered and the amino acid requirements 

 of swine. This would bring the analysis more closely in line with conventional 

 feed rations suggested by animal nutritionists. Further, it would provide a 

 realistic base for discussion with and evaluation by nutritionists. 



Extension of the Energy Analysis. While the study has considered the 

 implications of feeding least cost and least energy rations, it has not explored the 

 possibility of lesser energy savings. It would be worthwhile to examine the 

 implications of, say, a five percent energy reduction on the cost of feed rations. 

 Less than full energy savings would certainly reduce the cost impact on energy 

 conservation and make the implementation of such practices easier. This area 

 should be given further attention. 



The present analysis is constrained by the historic availability of feed 

 ingredients in the regions considered. An extended analysis would focus on the 

 possible long run adjustments in feeding livestock and poultry and in crop 

 production and land use. That is, it may be the case that from the perspective of 

 energy conservation we, as a Nation, should be producing (and feeding) more 

 barley and oats than we currently do while, on the other hand, producing (and 

 feeding) less corn and sorghum. Also, an extended analysis should consider the 

 production functions involved from the perspective of the amount of product 

 produced per unit of time; perhaps, our milk and beef cattle should be pastured 

 more than they presently are. The feasibility of such hypotheses should be 

 considered from an economic standpoint. 



In general, the aggregate long run supply and demand implications of energy 

 minimizing rations should be examined in terms of the effect on U.S. cropping 

 patterns, the impact of farm input costs and the associated product cost to 

 consumers, farm income and the viability of commercial supply firms. Attention 

 should also be given to possible shifts in regional supply sources that could 

 reduce the amount of energy related to the transport of feed ingredients; 

 likewise, possible shifts in transport mode should be considered as a way to 

 reduce energy utilization. 



The Total Balanced Ration. A logical extension of the analysis would analyze 

 the entire animal food situation. Not all of the feed fed to livestock is a 

 commercially mixed ration; a substantial portion of the diet, particularly for 

 ruminants, comes from farm-raised crops and forage. It is necessary to consider 

 the farmer's options as those of the feedmill have been considered here. One 

 should consider the effect of minimizing energy usage on farm feeding programs, 

 cropping plans, the size of livestock operation that a given amount of cropland 

 could support (if it were planted to energy minimizing crops), forage feeding, 

 and the subsequent impact on the net income of farmers and the cost of 

 producing various livestock products. 



Concluding Remarks 



This report has attempted to estimate the magnitude of the potential that 

 exists to conserve energy in feeding livestock and poultry in six regions of the 

 U.S. Comparing energy embodied in least cost feed rations with the quantity 



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