The development of a mathematical model to investigate Irish beef production systems

Recent reform of European agricultural policy has resulted in substantial changes to the criteria by which premia payments are made. Beef farmers, who have been particularly dependent on premia payments to maintain margins, must re-evaluate their systems to identify optimal systems in these new circumstances. A mathematical model, the Grange Beef Model, is presented and used to identify optimal beef production systems in Ireland. The objective function maximises farm gross margin and the model is primarily constrained by animal nutritional requirements. Model applications are illustrated through the analysis of a series of scenarios concerning variation in beef and concentrate prices; technical development through the integration of an alternative forage and the impacts of participation in an agri-environmental scheme.