An Application of Linear Programming in Formulation of Input Factors (Raw Materials) to Minimise Animal Feed Production Costs at Unga Feeds Limited

Abstract

In manufacture of animal feedstuffs, for example, raw material cost is a high proportion of the total cost. To overcome this problem certain methods to formulate efficiently the raw materials have been developed. For example, the linear programming solution to the "diet problem" was developed for selecting feedstuffs to be blended for an adequate animal diet at least cost. What this research project contains between the two black covers is therefore an illustration of linear programming technique as a method of determining the least expensive combination of feeds which meet or surpasses each of the several stated nutritive requirements with special reference to Unga Feeds Limited diet problem. A digital computer was used to:establish the least-cost ration of each feedstuff. Secondly the paper gives an analysis of the results obtained by using a digital computer and an analog computer. And lastly on the basis of the resu1ts of the study, certain suggestions are given in the last chapter.