Comparison of dairy cattle livestock to yearly crops in irrigated areas using linear programming

Abstract

Livestock has been responsible for the maintenance of many people at the rural areas of Brazil. At first this activity was not designed to be a part of the crops production systems. However, livestock production has started to assert itself in these irrigated areas due to the feeding difficulty of livestock in the circumjacent areas, the existence of green fields all year round in the irrigated areas and also the tradition of small farmers in diversifying activities. From information data on small irrigated farming system and recommendations of technical assistance and using a farm based linear programming model, this work was executed with the objective of comparing yearly crops to livestock activity. Despite the way the farm is managed, where the main crops are not profitable, high incomes may be achieved with or without livestock. The livestock activities can be better integrated with the region agroindustry, increasing the activities of the farm, utilizing agroindustrial residues and releasing areas for other more profitable crops.