Flock size structure of the New Zealand sheep flock

Abstract

Statistical data for the number of sheep flocks and the number of sheep within specific ranges of flock size for New Zealand were exa!llined. Four statistics were capable of enumerating the flock size structure of the New Zealand sheep flock. They were: the median flock size, the median sheep number, the proportion of the total sheep in flocks smaller than the median flock size, and the proportion of the total number of flocks where flock size is greater than the median sheep number. The distribution of labour units v. flock size for New Zealand farms was examined. The proportion of farms having sheep farming as the main enterprise v. flock size was also investigated. It was concluded that new sheep handling systems should be designed to cater for flock sizes of~2000 head.