The Use of an Electronic Spreadsheet to Solve Linear and Non-Linear “Stochastic” Feed Formulation Problems

Abstract Typical linear programming models used by the feed industry for ration formulation include no features to account for variability in ingredient composition. Average composition values are input; therefore, the confidence in meeting nutrient restrictions is 50%. Commercial feed formulation software is available that contains non-linear “stochastic” models capable of meeting nutrient restrictions with any specified level of confidence. Such stochastic models require mean and variance values for the nutrient composition of each ingredient. Commercial stochastic programming software was offered for sale in the Spring of 1997 for $18.000. We show here how to solve the problem with spreadsheet software available for personal computers at a cost of under $300 (