Systems approaches to beef cattle production systems using modeling and simulation.

Systems approach techniques have been applied to modeling production systems for beef cattle from the relatively micro-level of tissues and organs to the macro-level of farms and geographical regions. This paper reviews the various types of beef cattle production models already in operation in order to analyze beef cattle production systems and their components. It may be theoretically possible to construct system models which describe such complex production systems and can be generally used in various genetic, nutritional, management and economic situations as well as in training, extension and educational programs. Moreover, the systems approach can assist in the organization of information and identification of knowledge gaps and thereby open an avenue to multi-disciplinary research projects.