Fodel - A Fodder Production Planning Model

A spreadsheet model, FODEL, has been designed using the Supercalc or Lotus 123 programs, to provide land use planners, advisers and farmers with the means to simulate fodder production systems. Climatic data are analysed and, together with the effects of management, are used to predict the total yield and seasonal distribution of growth of forage species. Rainfall variability is analysed to determine the size and rate of fodderbank accumulation that are necessary to provide insurance against drought. The selection and management of forage species, and the allocation of land to alternative forms of forage production produce a monthly forage flow. A variety of dairy, beef and sheep enterprise combinations, each of which are themselves variable, may be selected, which then generate a monthly feed demand. By comparing the monthly forage flow with the required feed flow, the type and size of livestock enterprise can be matched to the forage production potentials of the farm. Forage surpluses are conserved as silage, hay or foggage, and then used to neutralise seasonal production deficits in the fodder flow. This has the effect of optimising total farm carrying capacity. Cost implications of the various alternatives are included in the model. The resulting plan is assessed in terms of its safe use of the natural resources, the adequacy of total feed supply, the economic margin over feed costs, and practicability of the fodder flow. Comparisons between alternative livestock - forage - land combinations can be objectively evaluated.