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A deterministic computer model was constructed to simulate biological and economic inputs and outputs for life cycle pork production. Parameters and relationships used were developed and verified by comparison with experimental results in the literature. Driving variables are mean genetic potentials for lean growth rate, fat growth rate, preweaning viability, age at puberty, conception rate, number born alive, and maximum milk production, and management decisions (interval from first estrus to mating, maximum number of parities, rebreeding intervals, weaning age and marketing policy). Genetic potentials can differ between generations and subpopulations. Production inputs include metabolizable energy, crude protein, feed costs and fixed and variable nonfeed costs. Costs represent Midwestern environmentally regulated, slatted-floor farrowing and nursery units and modified-open-front finishing buildings. Production outputs include pigs and culled sows. The model calculates several measures of biological and economic efficiency, e.g., Mcal or dollar input/kg of live weight or of carcass lean outputs.
Tess et al. (Tue,) studied this question.