Economic Optimization of Tom Turkey Production

Abstract A method for economic optimization of tom turkey production was developed by combining an energetic model for production characteristics with a building response model. The objective of economic optimization is to maximize the net return from a growout house. Three sets of simulation experiments were conducted to evaluate the model. These were to determine the effect on production and economic predictions of 1) daily outside temperature, 2) flock starting date, and 3) building overhead costs. Two methods of economic optimization were evaluated: per bird day (PBD) and per unit mass (PUM). The PBD strategy resulted in lower growout temperatures, shorter growout periods, and savings of .1 to .2 cents/kg when compared with a conventional management strategy. The PUM strategy minimized daily costs to maximize net return, with predicted savings of 1.1 to 1.3 cents/kg. The effect of flock starting date significantly affected growout temperature and indicated the sensitivity of the method to outside temperature. The effect of building overhead was an increased potential for savings at 20 C mean outside temperature using the PBD method, and decreased savings for other temperatures and the PUM method. An example of the adaptability of the model to alternate situations is given.