Evaluation of a beef growth model for use in beef finishing decisions.

摘要

A decision support computer program for beef finishing, called Bo Vision, is described. It is based on biological models of cattle and pasture growth, and is designed to assist the user in making strategic and tactical decisions about their beef finishing operation. Examples of its uses are to answer questions regarding profitability of 1-year versus 2-year-old cattle policies, optimum stocking rate, and profitability of local trade versus prime versus bull beef. BoVision can also be used to evaluate premiums required for out-of-season beef, the economics of nitrogen use and supplementary feeding. It can also be used to perform sensitivity analyses. An important aspect of the program's development process was the involvement of a group of beef finishing farmers. The cattle growth and pasture intake models used are presented. The program's development is outlined and its use in predicting Angus steer performance for a trial conducted at Whatawhata Research Centre and for a Friesian bull trial is evaluated. Implications for BoVision's use on farms are discussed.