The Modeling of Organic and Conventional Farming

1
The Modeling of Organic and Conventional Farming
Profit Analysis

• ESE 351
• Aaron Epel
• Harry Wong

2
Background

• Modeling organic and conventional farming methods
  to figure profitability given varying inputs
  outputs
• Breaking down the farm
• Poultry
• Cattle
• Grass
• real-life inputs and outputs

3
Organic Farming

• Closed-loop No inputs!
• Cows graze unfertilized grass
• Poultry consume grubs and excrete a fertilizing
  substance onto grass
• Fixed carrying capacity of environment that can
  not be augmented by vaccination
• Products from farm are sold according to market
  rates

4
Conventional Farming

• Open-Loop - Multiple-inputs
• No cycle as seen in organic model
• Antibiotics are used
• Feed is bought from outside sources
• Carrying capacity of environment can be augmented
  by antibiotics
• Products sold according at market rates

5
Where did we get the Data

• Large majority were from the USDA website
• Statistics on poultry sale prices
• Prices of feed
• Cattle slaughter weight
• Other websites
• Farming equipment medical sites (for antibiotic
  prices)
• Books
• General idea of conventional and organic farming

6
Questions