Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop and implement a linear-programming model (LP) that provides as its result a schedule with the best selection of crops in each plot per period, and with the greatest weight gain for each animal. The linear-programming model was developed from empirical work carried out by Alvarenga and Gontijo Neto (2008) in an area of 24 hectares of Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, in Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais (MG). For the computational implementation of the model, it was necessary to have data on agricultural suitability and animal weight gain for each period and for each plot. In order to test the developed mathematical model, values were randomly generated for agricultural suitability and for animal weight gain using the MATLAB solver. It was then possible to carry out the computational implementation of the linear-programming model in MATLAB. Two numerical trials were conducted, the first considering four periods, four plots and the transit of two animals, and the second with ten periods, four plots and the transit of three animals. The results show that the linear-programming model is consistent with the empirical work done by Alvarenga and Gontijo Neto (2008). The linear-programming model satisfies all the imposed constraints, maximises the weight gain of each animal, and provides the best selection of crops.
Highlights
Sustainability in crop and livestock farming is negatively affected by traditional soil management and by the degradation of pasture
No crop is planted during any two consecutive periods, i.e. the constraints relating to equation (2) are satisfied, so crop rotation is ensured together with the cycling of nutrients
A binary program (BP) is presented that simulates crop rotation and animal transit, whose solution represents an optimal schedule for the crops considered in the croplivestock integration technology developed in an area of 24 hectares at Embrapa Milho e Sorgo, as well as the simulation of animal transit; 2
Summary
Sustainability in crop and livestock farming is negatively affected by traditional soil management and by the degradation of pasture. To minimise the fall in productivity, it is necessary to increase investment in the sector to recover degraded pastures and eroded soils, making the system unsustainable. The need to invest in soil conservation (BALBINO et al, 2011; MACEDO, 2009; SILVA et al, 2012; TELLES; GUIMARAES; DECHEN, 2011). The search for alternatives that lead to agricultural practices carried out safely in order to guarantee present and future productivity is increasing, and such practices must be combined with reduced environmental impact (PATO et al, 2008). Adequate management promotes an increase in the recovery of greenhouse gases (GHG), which are so damaging to the environment (CARVALHO et al, 2010). The conservation of plant cover effectively contributes to the sustainability of these activities (BORGES et al, 2014)
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