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Estimation of economic values for traits of dairy sheep: I. Model development

M. Wolfová^*,1, J. Wolf^*, Z. Krupová and J. Kica

^* Institute of Animal Science, PO Box 1, CZ 104 01 Prague Uhínves, Czech Republic
Slovak Agricultural Research Center, Research Institute of Animal Production, Hlohovská 2, SK 949 91 Nitra, Slovak Republic

¹ Corresponding author: wolfova.marie{at}vuzv.cz

A bioeconomic model was developed to estimate effects of change in production and functional traits on profit of dairy or dual-purpose milked sheep under alternative management systems. The flock structure was described in terms of animal categories and probabilities of transitions among them, and a Markov chain approach was used to calculate the stationary state of the resultant ewe flock. The model included both deterministic and stochastic components. Performance for most traits was simulated as the population average, but variation in several traits was taken into account. Management options included lambing intervals, mating system, and culling strategy for ewes, weaning and marketing strategy for progeny, and feeding system. The present value of profit computed as the difference between total revenues and total costs per ewe per year, both discounted to the birth date of the animals, was used as the criterion for economic efficiency of the production system in the stationary state. Economic values (change in system profit per unit change in the trait) of up to 35 milk production, growth, carcass, wool, and functional traits may be estimated.

Key Words: dairy sheep • bioeconomic model • economic value

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Wolfova, J. Wolf, Z. Krupova, and M. Margetin Estimation of economic values for traits of dairy sheep: II. Model application to a production system with one lambing per year J Dairy Sci, May 1, 2009; 92(5): 2195 - 2203. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]