Least-Cost and Balanced Feed Rations for Broilers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)Using a Linear Programming Model

摘要

A linear programming model was used to formulate least-cost and balanced rations for broilers using feed ingredients available in UAE markets with the aim of reducing production costs. Balanced rations for both starters and finishers were obtained byusing different protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME) by applying no restrictions on the level of any of the available feed ingredients. The results indicated that the least-cost starter and finisher rations were obtained with no ingredient restriction and at all levels of (CP) and (ME). The levels of crude proteins (%) and the metabolizable energy (kcal/ kg ) of the balanced starter rations were: (21, 2800); (21.7, 2900); (22.5, 3000) and (23.2, 3100); while those of the balanced finisher rationswere: (18.1, 2900); (18.7, 3000) and (19.3, 3100). The results showed a consistent increase in the costs per ton of both starter and the finisher rations as the level of ( CP ) and ( ME ) is increased. The results of this study indicated balanced and least-cost feed rations ranging from 749 Dhs to 921 Dhs for starters and from 651 Dhs to 744 Dhs for finishers per one ton compared to a cost of II00 Dhs per ton as a ready mix. In doing this, a cost reduction between 150-300 Dhs/ton of feed can be realized. Since the UAE consumes approximately 90 thousand tons of broilers feed, this cost reduction for this sector only will sum up to 13.5 - 27 million Dhs at the national level.