Economic Efficiency of Lean Tissue Production through Crossbreeding: Systems Modeling with Mice. I. Definition of the Bioeconomic Objective

Abstract

A generalized bioeconomic objective for domestic meat animals is presented. Although specific for continuous matings with age-constant slaughter, expressions for fixed breeding seasons and(or) weight-constant slaughter are also discussed. The bioeconomic objective was partitioned into inputs or costs (breeding stock costs, parental feed costs, parental labor and facility costs, offspring feed costs, offspring labor and facility costs) and outputs or income (dried lean tissue from offspring, salvage value of culled parent stock). The laboratory mouse was utilized to model the details of production as they might occur in swine. A method is presented for deriving economic constants for mouse costs and values based upon costs and values from a two-litter termination system in swine. In this type of production system, females are maintained in the breeding herd long enough to produce two litters to weaning.