Optimization via Linear Programming
Linear Programming (LP) is the industry standard for commercial feed production. Its goal is simple: find the combination of ingredients that satisfies all minimum nutrient requirements while minimizing the total cost of the batch.
The "Shadow Price"
In advanced LP, you can calculate the shadow price—the amount by which the total cost would decrease if a nutrient constraint was relaxed by one unit.
Commercial Impact
Using LP can save large farms thousands of dollars annually by identifying cheaper, non-traditional ingredients that still meet the growth needs of the animals.