Private Food and Logistics

[Mercutio]

Playing the beta version. I conquered 2 minors and unified with 3 over the last few turns. My logistics went to hell. They are sending tons of food to my SHQ which is already overflowing, this is choking my empire that otherwise would be healthy. It seems to me I should be able to say "Thanks but no thanks" but it seems my only option is to nationalize them and destroy them.

Any advice? (other than yes, build more logistics)

[mattpilot]

I tend to mothball (or just reduce production) on my public farms if private farms can supply enough. It saves me from paying workers a salary.

If its just logistics problems, then increase your network - more truck stations, upgrade them, or even rail.

[zgrssd]

The Private Farms produce 90% Private Food.
That bit of public food kickbacks is barely enough to feed the workers of a T1 Truckstop. If 100 Food collapses your logistics, something is wrong with your logistics.

As of beta v1.09.06, we can downgrade Assets level by level - including Private assets. However, verify that the private citizens do not need that much food production.

To give you any specific advice we would need:
- number and level of Private Farms
- number of population and workers
- Private and Public Food produced

[Mercutio]

All zones are making more food than can be consumed. I am finally clearing the logistical log jam, but it caused all sorts of issues getting metal and oil (which I needed badly), so those backed up in storage and are finally clearing.
Last turn 9,102 food delivered, 3819 lost due to storage (57.6k in storage)
It was so bad when I first posted that the traders were wiped out of credits to buy anything from all the food being sold for next to nothing.
I closed the few farms I had because the private economy was STILL building private farms even though my SHQ was stuffed. No food is sent to zones from SHQ.
It seems especially bad when uniting with a minor as they have large stores.
<Edit> most minors are farmers except some slavers, mutants, at least 4 sentient aliens that are very powerful. I managed to make nice with 2 and get some mercenary troops from them (thank God, my stuff couldn't take them out, and at war with a 3rd that I just have an entrenched line against that can hold them off. It is a random planet, heavily wooded with giant trees and mountain ranges. Tanks have issues because of all the tough terrain. Very challenging, but turning the corner </edit>

All private farms and on my main rail & roads
Capital
Dome 2
Dome 3 in city
a key zone
Dome 2 on a major line
Dome 3 in the city
Province 3
Dome 3 in city
Dome 3 on my line
Province 4
Dome 3 in city
Dome 2
Dome 1
Province 5
Dome 3 in city
Province 5
Dome 3 in city
Dome 3 (at least not on the main line)
Province 6
Dome 2 in city
3 dome 1s
Province 7
Dome 3 in city
Dome 1 (not on main line)
Province 8
Dome 3 in city
Dome 1 (not on main line)
Similar in the other 7 provinces

[zgrssd]

The primary reason private farms get build is for private food.
It is nice that your SHQ has full stores - that does not help the people if Emergency Food is not turned on. And they always aim for Autarky with private food so the never have to worry about Emergency Food stopping.

Some remarks:
Fuel, Power, IP, Water, Emergency Food and a few other things do not actually use logistics capacity. As long as any logistics connection exists, it always flows fully.
However the game might handle unit supply of the same resources differently.

All Food for your units has to flow over the SHQ. While normally I say not to build a 2nd SHQ, 16 Cities is propably the point where you realy have to think about adding another one.

I try to build at least a T1 truckstop in all my cities. This will consume some food locally, but also add logistics points to help move the unused food to the SHQ.

[eddieballgame]

I was not aware that having too much food created any problems...interesting.
As 'zgrssd' stated...it is always good to build Truck Stops where needed.

[zgrssd]

ORIGINAL: eddieballgame

I was not aware that having too much food created any problems...interesting.
As 'zgrssd' stated...it is always good to build Truck Stops where needed.

Oh, Public Food transfer absolutely can get out of hand quickly.
In both dirrections.

My advise is to produce food mostly locally. The water and power to feed the Farms travels for free on the network. Emergency food travels for free.
Regular Worker Food or excess food meanwhile is a drain every single turn.

[Mercutio]

I already have a second SHQ. The issue with logistics is a mountain range to the left of my capital. So I united with a minor to the south to build a rail east, then south, the north west to a key city that has a bunch of ruins and mines. That took a while because there wasn't much metal and it was a looooooong way. I was buying large amounts of metal to get it built. So those cities where amassing huge stock piles. It still isn't fully cleared, almost, but I have not been able to get replacements out. At least I have the resources to build more rail now.

[laagamer]

I'm running into the same problems. I've got so much to deliver that my logistical network goes to shit, because of the distance. Then my empire either starts starving, or running out of one or another resource.

I really don't understand how you're supposed to expand in this game when LP sources like Trucks or Trains only go like 20 hexes. By turn 80, I hold 20% of a large planet, but I don't have the LP to move shit. Very frustrating.

[zgrssd]

ORIGINAL: laagamer

I'm running into the same problems. I've got so much to deliver that my logistical network goes to shit, because of the distance. Then my empire either starts starving, or running out of one or another resource.

I really don't understand how you're supposed to expand in this game when LP sources like Trucks or Trains only go like 20 hexes. By turn 80, I hold 20% of a large planet, but I don't have the LP to move shit. Very frustrating.

You are supposed to expand via trains. They easily do 100-200 hexes.

You have to build them around hard terrain as much as possible, but that is hardly an issue with that incredible range.

[laagamer]

I solved my problems by upgrading the rail stations! LOL

[mroyer]

ORIGINAL: zgrssd
My advise is to produce food mostly locally.

zgrssd,
What is the indication that food is being produced locally? Is it if the "IN" column for zone items is zero or near zero?

-Mark R.

[Mercutio]

It is the Prod column. In is brought in from elsewhere. Out is sent to SHQ.

[mroyer]

ORIGINAL: Mercutio

It is the Prod column. In is brought in from elsewhere. Out is sent to SHQ.

How does a player know if local production is enough for the zone? Is it the fact nothing is being brought in to the zone?
-Mark R.

[zgrssd]

ORIGINAL: mroyer

ORIGINAL: zgrssd
My advise is to produce food mostly locally.

zgrssd,
What is the indication that food is being produced locally? Is it if the "IN" column for zone items is zero or near zero?

-Mark R.

The "IN" Column being 0 is a okay indicator, but it can give you confusing data if you just increased the workforce. Production is after consumption, so the SHQ might have to offset some temporary increase - only to retreive more at the end turn.

The main thing is that Production is around consumption. 100 workers/soldiers/colonists/recruits need 1 food/turn.

[Mercutio]

Ok, something isn't right in the beta. My understanding is logistics will use the SHQ % and go
SHQ to Zone 30% set
SHQ to Units 30% set
Zone to SHQ 20% set
Replacements 30% set
then reverse

Yet Zone to SHQ is using almost everything
<edit> added percentage settings</edit>

[zgrssd]

ORIGINAL: Mercutio

Ok, something isn't right in the beta. My understanding is logistics will use the SHQ % and go
SHQ to Zone 30% set
SHQ to Units 30% set
Zone to SHQ 20% set
Replacements 30% set
then reverse

Yet Zone to SHQ is using almost everything
<edit> added percentage settings</edit>

The SHQ does two passes:
1. considering the limits
2. one ignoring the limits, after everything else has been solved so logistics are not unused due to overallocation.

The blockages on SHQ->Units during both supply and Replacement meant plenty of points were left. They were used for the large Zone->SHQ backlog.

Fix the bottlenecks on the way to the units. The SHQ is trying to do it's best with your messed up logistics and your messed up limits

[Mercutio]

Hey, I am going by their suggestions. Slowly digging out of "I already have 10,000 left boots, I need RIGHT boots!" from logistics. Sending food and water when no zone needs it! [&:]
But thanks for your concern

[Mercutio]

Every new zone drains the hell out of logistics because their is an abundance of food on this planet. Hell of a malus for expansion. If it is worthless to sell, why transport it?

[mattpilot]

Mothball the overproducing farms far away from your SHQ