The Science Behind Farm Valley Builder

Growing-Degree-Days (GDD)

Growing-degree-days are a measure used to quantify the amount of heat that plant or animal species receive over time. In Farm Valley Builder, GDD is crucial for predicting when crops will reach their optimal growth stages and when animals will be ready for milking or other activities.

The formula for calculating GDD is simple: (Average Daily Temperature - Base Temperature) * Number of Days. This equation helps simulate the environmental conditions necessary for plant development.

Logistic Canopy

Logistic canopy models describe how plants grow and shade each other, which is vital in understanding crop yields and managing farm resources efficiently.

The logistic growth function can be represented as N(t) = K / (1 + e^(-r(t-t0))), where N(t) is the plant density at time t, K is the maximum density, r is the growth rate, and t0 is the inflection point.

Doorenbos Yield Response

The Doorenbos yield response model predicts how crop yields change with temperature. This model helps in optimizing planting schedules and understanding the impact of climate on agricultural productivity.

This model typically involves a quadratic relationship between temperature and yield, where increased temperatures can initially boost growth but may lead to reduced yields beyond an optimal range.

Wood Lactation Curve

The Wood lactation curve is used to model the milk production of dairy cows over time. It helps in managing milking schedules and planning for feed requirements.

This curve typically starts with a rapid increase in milk yield, followed by a plateau period, and then a gradual decline as the lactation cycle progresses.

Frequently asked questions

Try it live

Everything above runs in your browser — open Farm Valley Builder: Low-Poly Barn, Crops and Animals and change the parameters while it is running. Nothing is installed, nothing is uploaded, the whole model lives in one tab.