Defining the breeding goal for a sheep breed including production and functional traits using market data

Abstract

In this study, the economic values for production and functional traits of dairy sheep are estimated through the application of a profit function model using farm-level technical and economic data. The traits incorporated in the model were milk production, prolificacy, fertility, milking speed, longevity and mastitis occurrence. The economic values for these traits were derived as the approximate partial derivative of the specified profit function. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted in order to examine how potential changes in input and output prices would affect the breeding goal. The estimated economic values of the traits revealed their economic impact on the definition of the breeding goal for the specified production system. Milk production and fertility had the highest economic values (€40.30 and €20.28 per standard genetic deviation (SDa)), while, mastitis only had a low negative value of -0.57 €/SDa. Therefore, breeding for clinical mastitis will have a minor impact on farm profitability because it affects a small proportion of the flock and has low additive variance. The production traits, which include milk production, prolificacy and milking speed, contributed most to the breeding goal (70.0%), but functional traits still had a considerable share (30.0%). The results of this study highlight the importance of the knowledge of economic values of traits in the design of a breeding program. It is also suggested that the production and functional traits under consideration can be categorized as those which can be efficiently treated through genetic improvement (e.g. milk production and fertility) while others would be better dealt with through managerial interventions (e.g. mastitis occurrence). Also, sub-clinical mastitis that affects a higher proportion of flocks could have a higher contribution to breeding goals.

Novel Resilient and Sustainable Farm Profiles in Small Ruminant Production Systems Using Mathematical Programming Model

“…It has to be mentioned that the use of different levels of prevalence and/or impact on farm indicators will produce different results. 9 Gelasakis et al [36]; 10 Winter and Green [37]; 11 Nieuwhof et al [38]; 12 Vasileiou et al [39]; 13 Leitner et al [40]; 14 Martinez-Valladares et al [41]; 15 Cruz-Rozo et al [42]; 16 Martí-De Olives [43]; 17 Kouam et al [44]; 18 Suarez et al [45]; 19 Arsenos et al [46]; 20 Skoufos et al [47], 21 Albenzio et al [48]; 22 Moschovas et al [49]; 23 IDELE and INRAE expert judgement, 24 Gelasakis et al [50], 25 Batzios [51], 26 Vouraki et al [52]; 27 Papanikolopoulou et al [53]; 28 Data in Table 2 show that the prevalence of clinical and subclinical mastitis on these breed varies from 10% in Assaf sheep breed, which is reared intensively, and animals are fed exclusively on purchased concentrates and forage with very limited access to pasture, to 27% in Boutsiko sheep, which are reared under an extensive system, mostly grazing on natural grasslands. The prevalence of GIN parasites varies from 10% in Lacaune sheep in France to 47% in Boutsiko sheep, while the prevalence of lameness has been set to 7% for the Chios sheep and 9% for the rest of the breeds.…”

“…The increase in veterinary services and drug cost for the treatment of mastitis is EUR 1.6 per goat annually [51] and EUR 3 to EUR 4 per ewe annually ( [10], IDELE experts), while the cost for the treatment of parasites varies from EUR 3 to EUR 5 ([33], IDELE experts, SOLID project results). The increase in cost for treating animals with lameness is estimated to be EUR 4.26 per productive animal annually [37].…”

“…The increase in cost for treating animals with lameness is estimated to be EUR 4.26 per productive animal annually [37]. The extra time spent in checking and treating animals is estimated to be 1 h per animal annually for mastitis [10] (IDELE reported 0.25 h per Lacaune ewe) and 1.8 h per animal for lameness [38]. There was no information available for GIN parasites.…”

“…Animal diseases reduce productivity, economic performance, and in some cases, the survival of livestock, constituting a significant constraint to the sustainability and profitability of small ruminant production [8,9]. The notion is that the development of new traits that increase resistance or tolerance to infectious and noninfectious diseases improves the sustainability of sheep and goat farms and allows for a more efficient management of such farming systems [8,10,11]. Such novel resilient traits are related to new immunological and phenotypic indicators of resilience/resistance to parasite infections, mastitis, and foot rot.…”

The Study Examines the Marketing Strategies of Goat and Sheep Farming Businesses in CV. Fajar Randu

“…Businesses that farm goats and sheep are crucial for everyday needs like providing the primary raw material for satay and curry, as well as for major holiday celebrations like aqiqah and Eid al-Adha. To achieve marketing efficiency in the sale of goats and sheep, a relationship between producers and consumers is essential [2]. This relationship directly links to marketing, which involves various institutions such as agent traders, collectors, and retailers.…”