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SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS DECEMBER, 1983PLANNING SOLAR HEATING FOR POULTRYA LINEAR PROGRAMMING APPROACHWilliam E. Hardy, Jr., Joy M. Clark, and Morris WhiteINTRODUCTION The increased cost of these fuels has forced poultryproducers to closely examine the economic efficiencyDuring recent years we have begun to expect in- of their operations (Koon, Flood, and Brewer). Somecreases in prices that farmers pay for inputs. Rising researchers have predicted that there will be signifi-costs of production have adversely affected the profits cant changes in production practices in the poultry in-of many farming operations. The greatest relative dustry and that production will shift more to thechange in prices has been in interest rates, but since Southern region (Debertin and Pagoulatos, p. 54). This1972, and particularly since 1978, energy costs have shift toward a milder climate should reduce the amountexhibited a steep climb, as shown in Figure 1 (USDA, of supplemental heat needed and would also make itp. 427). Energy inputs such as LP gas, which is used possible to more effectively use alternatives such asheavily by the poultry industry, have shown particu- solar energy.larly larger increases. The LP gas price paid by farm- Solar power has been proposed as an alternative en-ers nationwide rose from 38.9 cents per gallon in 1977 ergy source for many years. Price increases of tradi-to 69.7 cents per gallon in 1981, a 79 percent increase tional sources of energy during the 1970s have resulted(USDA, p. 422). in additional emphasis on its utilization. Even with theThese energy cost increases have placed great bur- improved technology that exists today in the manufac-dens on many individuals and busin...