Technical efficiency and viability of organic dairy sheep farming systems in a traditional area for sheep production in Spain

• Published in: Small ruminant research 2011-10, Vol.100 (2-3), p.89-95
• Main Authors: Toro-Mujica, P., García, A., Gómez-Castro, A.G., Acero, R., Perea, J., Rodríguez-Estévez, V., Aguilar, C., Vera, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benchmarking; dairy sheep; dietary supplements; Econometric models; economic productivity; ewes; farming systems; farms; lambs; Organic production; rearing; viability
• ISSN: 0921-4488; 1879-0941
• DOI: 10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.06.008

The technical efficiency and viability of organic dairy sheep farming systems were investigated in Castilla-La Mancha, a Spanish region with a tradition of sheep rearing. The thirty one farms sampled, had an average of 359ha, 508 sheep and 1.9 work units (WU); the reproductive rate was 1.5 lambs per ewe and year and the human productivity reached 303 sheep/WU. There was however a high degree of variation among farms. Although the average level of technical efficiency was 66%, 74% of farms sampled operated at medium or low rates of technical efficiency. Differences in technical efficiency were largely due to the consumption of feeding supplements and productivity. A total of 45% of the farms was classified as non-viable. It was concluded that strategies for improving competitiveness and the use of resources are specific to each level of efficiency. The most efficient farms must increase their size; moderately efficient farms need to focus their efforts on improving the management of resources to enhance results. Improving competitiveness of the less efficient farms requires an increase of productivity; a better balance between the use of feeding supplements and the sheep productive capacity.