Application of a simulation software to the analysis of a peasant farming system

The economics of animal health and production

“…Finlayson et al (1995) developed a simulation model to represent a sheep system. Berdegue et al (1989), Richardson et al (1993) and Cacho et al (1995) developed computer simulation models of mixed farming systems, and Thomas (1991) developed a spreadsheet simulation model to examine agroforestry systems. The Berdegue et al (1989) and Richardson et al (1993) models will be discussed further in the section on livestock orientated farm/household models (p. 99).…”

“…Berdegue et al (1989), Richardson et al (1993) and Cacho et al (1995) developed computer simulation models of mixed farming systems, and Thomas (1991) developed a spreadsheet simulation model to examine agroforestry systems. The Berdegue et al (1989) and Richardson et al (1993) models will be discussed further in the section on livestock orientated farm/household models (p. 99). Beck and Dent (1987) produced a simulation model of extensive pastoral farming systems found in North Island, New Zealand.…”

“…Four livestock-orientated household models are identified as being potentially useful for assessing farming systems with livestock: TIES (Richardson et al, 1993), GRANJAS (Berdegue et al, 1989), 3WAY and PCHerd (Udo and Brouwer, 1993) and a spreadsheet model developed by Gulbenkian (1993). Udo and Brouwer (1993) developed a database and analysis structure, 3WAY, and a livestock model, PCHerd, during a project in Bangladesh.…”

“…GRANJAS was developed by a team at the Catholic University of Louvain, and applied to a Chilean peasant farm situation (Berdegue et al, 1989). It simulates household resource use and balance for each month over any specified period.…”

“…Of those highlighted in this review, PCHerd (Udo and Brouwer, 1993) provides an inadequate structure for the farming system, and also complicates the livestock model with decision structures based on limited experimental work. TIES (Richardson et al, 1993) and GRANJAS (Berdegue et al, 1989) have limited economic analysis and livestock system modelling structures. Finally, Gulbenkian's (1993) model is of great interest, but it is area-and species-specific.…”