| Article ID: | iaor1998784 |
| Country: | New Zealand |
| Volume: | 1 |
| Issue: | 1 |
| Start Page Number: | 27 |
| End Page Number: | 43 |
| Publication Date: | Jan 1997 |
| Journal: | Journal of Applied Mathematics & Decision Sciences |
| Authors: | Wickham I.D., Wake G.C., Woodward S.J.R., Thorrold B.S. |
| Keywords: | optimization, biology |
To examine the long-term effects of fertiliser application on pasture growth under grazing, a mathematical representation of the pasture ecosystem is created and analysed mathematically. From this the nutrient application level needed to maintain a given stocking rate can be determined, along with its profitability. Feasible stocking levels and fertiliser application rates are investigated and the optimal combination found, along with the sensitivity of this combination. It is shown that profitability is relatively insensitive to fertiliser level compared with stocking rate.