Agricultural Science Digest
Vol. 13, Sept. - Oct., 1970	PURDUE UNIVERSITY

COMPUTERIZED DECISION MAKING
FOR FEEDLOTS?

Is the computer a valuable tool for beef
feedlot managers? A recent study indicates
that a model for the formulation of informa-
tion decision recommendations on the month-
ly buying, selling, and feeding operations
can be a useful, advantageous tool.

The total information system included
three sub-systems: a price forecasting sys-
tem to predict future monthly prices; a beef
feed formulation sub-system, to determine
the minimum monthly cost of feeding, and an
operations scheduling sub-system to deter-
mine best selling, buying, and feeding deci-
sions.

In a three-year test, the researchers
found that an information system which takes
into account the operations and uncertainties
of feedlots is feasible and could be operated
at a nominal cost. Further research is need-
ed to specifically determine the economic
advantage of such a system.

However, it has been determined that a
nominal monthly cost will maintain the sys-
tem, and that the cost of information is inde-
pendent of the size of the feedlot. Larger
feedlots may find use of a computerized in-
formation system more economical, since
charge can be spread over greater volume.

Journal paper 4105, A. Gene Nelson and
Ludwig M. Eisgruber, Department of Agri-
cultural Economics.

CAN SOLID WASTES BE A RESOURCE?

Americans are one of the most affluent
and effluent people of the world. Research
indicates that more than a ton of waste per
person is collected each year in the U.S.
Waste volumes have been continually increas-
ing, and with this increase has come a conse-
quent jump in the problems of disposal.

Solid waste problems aren't confined to
cities, since solid wastes are also generated
in rural areas, and these areas may be the
recipients of urban wastes. The need for at-
tention to wastes is acdentuated by the fact
that rural governments often lack the man-
power and finances to deal with solid waste
problems.

There are two basic approaches to the
management of solid wastes--the "destroy
and get-rid-of" method and the "useful re-
source” approach; the latter emphasizing the
use of solid wastes as a means of creating
things of value and of improving the environ-
ment rather than polluting it. Among the
methods of disposal compatible with the use-
ful resource approach are the sanitary land-
fill, composting, reprocessing and recycling
of metals and materials, and pyrolysis.

If operated according to high standards,
the sanitary landfill can be highly useful from
an environmental quality viewpoint, since it
can serve as a reclamation project, provide
building sites or eventual recreation areas,
or possibly even serve as a site for materials
storage.

More research is needed on the short
and long-run costs of disposal strategies, in-
cluding costs of externals, and on the econom-
ics of laws, regulations, and environmental
effects of various methods. A positive pro-
gram for waste disposal can be of value to
communities and areas, above and beyond
just the removal of waste materials. More
reliable and comprehensive economic infor-
mation is needed for competent decision

AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION	• COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE