Loading...
Systems Approach to the Economic Impact of Technical Performance in the Sheep Sector
Kilcline, Kevin O' Donoghue, Cathal Hennessy, Thia Hynes, Stephen
Kilcline, Kevin
O' Donoghue, Cathal
Hennessy, Thia
Hynes, Stephen
Citations
Altmetric:
Date
2015-04-15
Collections
Files
Loading...
main article
Adobe PDF, 638.19 KB
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Citation
Kilcline, K & O'Donoghue, C & Hennessy, T & Hynes, S, 2015. "Systems Approach to the Economic Impact of Technical Performance in the Sheep Sector," 89th Annual Conference, April 13-15, 2015, Warwick University, Coventry, UK 204230, Agricultural Economics Society. https://dx.org/10.22004/ag.econ.204230
Abstract
This paper investigates the structure and characteristics of the full distribution of
sheep farms achieving various levels of financial and technical performance.
Analysing data from the Irish panel dataset, the Teagasc National Farm Survey (NFS)
shows Irish sheep farms exhibit relatively low level of technical performance and that
on-farm technical advances have been stagnant over the past 20 years. NFS data files
not previously manipulated for research purposes are used to capture monthly animal
data flows for the full sample of NFS sheep farms for the 3 year period 2008 – 2010.
Utilising this data we identify and analyse key flock performance indicators including
reproduction, mortality rates. These “Livestock Demographic” variables are important
indicators for estimating and modelling flock dynamics and production, combining
two drivers of flock performance: the biological characteristics of the stock on the
farm and the farmers’ flock management practices. Results indicate the potential
impacts on farm output and gross margins of improved animal performance which is
achievable through specific technology adoptions.