The Effect of Financial and Non-financial Factors on the Productivity and Profitability of the Goat Industry: A Modelling Approach to Structural Equations

Tsiouni, Maria; Mamalis, Spyridon; Aggelopoulos, Stamatis

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-08317-4_1

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…While short-term vitality is promising in Mexico [36], long-term sustainability faces hurdles due to high costs. In Greece, factors like labor, loans, feed, education, and age significantly affect goat farmer revenue [37]. Similarly, efficient land use, animal health, and recordkeeping are crucial for UK sheep farm profitability [38].…”

Section: Economic Metricsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Sheep and Goat Farming in Arid Regions of Jordan

Al-Barakeh,

Khashroum,

Tarawneh

et al. 2024

Ruminants

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This study examines the sustainability of livestock farming in Jordan’s arid regions, focusing on smallholder Awassi sheep and Baladi goat farming. It assesses breeders, economic factors, herd productivity, and sustainability, evaluating the vitality of these breeds by examining reproductive success through birth and survival rates. In 2021–2022, a total of 53 traditional Awassi sheep and Baladi goat farms in Northern Jordan’s Mafraq Governorate were surveyed using a comprehensive questionnaire to gather data on breeders’ information, farm economics, and herd indicators. Dry seasons in arid lands are tough on sheep and goats, with limited fodder and water availability harming their health and reproductive capacity. While wet seasons bring relief, they can also introduce diseases. Special care for these animals throughout the year is crucial to maintain healthy herds in arid regions. Linear models were employed to analyze sample data, with variance and correlation tests used to explore relationships among variables. Additionally, chi-squared analysis was utilized to assess the impact of male replacement plans on these herds. The main outcomes of this study reveal that breeder indicators pose challenges to the sustainability and growth of Awassi sheep and Baladi goat farming. Conversely, economic indicators suggest a blend of financial stability alongside obstacles related to profitability and resource ownership. Breeder age emerges as a significant factor in livestock herd management, influenced by elements such as experience, resource availability, and adherence to traditional practices. Experience notably influences breeders’ decisions regarding male insemination replacements, likely due to acquired skills. Crop cultivation is shown to reduce fodder costs, thereby enhancing profitability for each young animal sold and consequently increasing the breeders’ returns. Winter conditions elevate animal mortality rates due to cold stress, while other animals within herds contribute to increased kid mortality by facilitating disease transmission. Breeder experience significantly impacts lamb survival, underscoring its importance in ensuring proper care. Increasing ewe proportions within herds enhances lamb production and lowers lamb mortality rates. Effective ram management and yearling lamb sales further contribute to herd health and productivity. A higher proportion of goats within a herd positively correlates with the number of young yearlings sold but inversely affects breeding males and overall kid numbers, indicating a delicate balance that influences herd productivity and mortality rates. Sheep (92.5%) and goat herds (90.6%) demonstrate reproductive success, indicative of superior long-term vitality. While sheep excel in birth rates, survival, and sales, they exhibit lower ewe and lambing percentages. Goat farming demonstrates high birth rates, sales, and overall success but requires particular attention to ensuring kid survival, especially during the winter months. Improving the characteristics of the Awassi sheep and Baladi goat flocks is crucial for ensuring sustainability, achievable through proper care practices in dry lands. In conclusion, despite the challenges, there are promising opportunities to enhance sheep and goat farming in Jordan. Effective management, informed by the breeders’ experience and economics, is crucial. Empowering small-scale herders and implementing targeted interventions, like winter mortality solutions and selective breeding, is vital for sustainable growth.

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Section: Economic Metricsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable Sheep and Goat Farming in Arid Regions of Jordan

Al-Barakeh,

Khashroum,

Tarawneh

et al. 2024

Ruminants

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…While short-term viability is promising in Mexico [15], long-term sustainability faces hurdles due to high costs. In Greece, factors like labor, loans, feed, education, and age significantly affect goat farmer revenue [16]. Similarly, efficient land use, animal health, and record keeping are crucial for UK sheep farm profitability [17].…”

Section: Economic Metricsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenges, Economics, and Sustainability of Sheep and Goat Farming in Drylands

Al-Barakeh,

Khashroum,

Tarawneh

et al. 2024

Preprint

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This study finds that in northern Jordan, breeder indicators present challenges to the sustainability and growth of sheep and goat farming, while economic indicators suggest a combination of financial stability alongside hurdles related to profitability and resource ownership. Breeder age plays a role in the management of livestock herds, due to factors such as experience, resources, or adherence to traditional practices. Experience significantly affects breeders' decisions on male insemination replacements, likely due to skill. Crop cultivation influences breeders' returns by reducing feeding costs, while strategic lamb sales management boosts individual animal profitability. Winter raises animal mortality due to cold stress. Other animals in herds increase kid mortality by spreading diseases. Breeder experience significantly affects lamb survival, stressing its role in care. Increasing sheep proportion enhances lamb production and reduces lamb mortality while managing rams and selling lambs positively affects herd health and productivity. A larger goat herd proportion positively correlates with kids sold but inversely with breeding males and overall kids, implying trade-offs affecting herd productivity and mortality rates. Sheep herds (92.5%) show slightly better reproductive success than goats (90.6%), implying superior long-term viability. Flock excels in birth, survival, and sales, but low sheep and lamb%. Improvement is needed for sustainability, and the potential is high. Goat breeding shines in birth, sales, and overall success, but needs attention to kid survival and other sustainability issues. In conclusion, despite challenges, there are promising opportunities to enhance sheep and goat farming in Jordan. Effective management, informed by breeders' experience and economics, is crucial. Empowering small-scale herders and implementing targeted interventions like winter mortality solutions and selective breeding is vital for sustainable growth.

show abstract

The Effect of Financial and Non-financial Factors on the Productivity and Profitability of the Goat Industry: A Modelling Approach to Structural Equations

Cited by 2 publications

References 43 publications

Sustainable Sheep and Goat Farming in Arid Regions of Jordan

Sustainable Sheep and Goat Farming in Arid Regions of Jordan

Challenges, Economics, and Sustainability of Sheep and Goat Farming in Drylands

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