Barriers to the implementation of Max- profit and Stochastic models to industry

Feed is a significant cost to egg farmers. Australian Eggs is investing in research which will help farmers to reduce feed wastage or make layer diets more efficient. 

Most livestock diets in Australia are created with the 'Least- cost' model, which provides the farmer with all the required nutrients at the least cost. But animal nutritionists can use Max- profit feed formulation to develop an animal diet which maximises profits, or Stochastic feed formulation to create diets which take into account variability in feed. 

This project was conducted to figure out why these promising, alternate feed formulation strategies are not widely adopted by in the layer industry.

The project found that: 

• These alternate feed formulation strategies can help farmers and nutritionists better adapt diets to changing market conditions and,
• Among farmers and nutritionists, there is an interest to use these alternative techniques but,
• Better tools and more education are needed for nutritionists to be able to confidently use these techniques.

Based on these findings, Australian Eggs will seek to develop tools and resources for nutritionists be able to use these strategies for layer diet formulation. A farmer interested in utilising these techniques should discuss with their nutritionist.