Herd-Level Modeling and Steady-State Livestock Productivity: Approaches, Applications and Prospects

Abstract

This paper reviews the approaches applications and Prospects for herd-level modeling of steady-state livestock productivity. It includes an assessment of currently used logarithms, an outline of the scope for applications and addresses the prospects for refinement and model extensions. The algorithms for use in development of steady state derivations include transition of matrices in a Markov Chain approach, continuous differential equations and actuarial approach built on life and fecundity tables. The applications include consideration of livestock productivity dynamic and static modeling. These approaches can allow models to handle a range of animal species breed types and production systems.

The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 27 2004: pp. 31-35