The Smith family has owned a 640-acre farm for several generations. However, ownership has recently passed to the next generation of Dave and his wife Ruth, who feel there is a need for a more scientific approach to managing their farm. They have called you in as a business analyst to advise them on the best way of running the farm.

The Smith family has owned a 640-acre farm for several generations. However, ownership has recently passed to the next generation of Dave and his wife Ruth, who feel there is a need for a more scientific approach to managing their farm. They have called you in as a business analyst to advise
them on the best way of running the farm.

The Smith family can produce a total of 4,000 person-hours worth of labor during the winter and spring months and 4,500 person-hours during the summer and autumn months. If they do not need all this time they can work on neighboring farms for £5 per hour during the winter and spring months and £5.50 during the summer and autumn months.

The farm supports two types of livestock, dairy cows and hens, and three types of cash crops – rape, corn, and wheat. All three are cash crops, but corn also is a feed crop for the cows, and wheat also is used for chicken feed. The crops are harvested during the late summer and autumn. During the winter months, they need to decide what mix of livestock and crops they should aim for in the coming year. Their last harvest, which was very successful, has provided them with a sum of £21,000 which they feel they can use to buy more livestock.