Modelling Principles in Livestock System Graphic Approaches

Abstract

Research into livestocks systems, borne out of the need to provide better decision-
making tools set the practitioners within their research field. lt relies on a systematic and multi- disciplinary approach which favours field-work and specifically involves the researchs in development activities. With a view to supporting the understanding of specific breeding situations and to raising the proficiency level of workers ill managing their units, these studies depend onfinalised presentations, inspired by systemic modelling and combine two ditfereut types of model: firstly, worker-centred "action models", which take into account the decision-making process relevant to the
organisation and running of the system, the available data on which to fonn a judgement and their own fmdings; secondly animal and herd- centred zooteclmics which simulate the accomplishment of their resullts within the framework of breeding
practices and environmental factors. These models incorporate the complex function patterns of the livestock systems together with typological models which allow for their diversity, to arrive at a view of local or regional-scale rearing activites. The norions thus inferred form the orgzuusational basis for detailed research and technical and economic advice offered to breeders.