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The Impact of Hogget and Mature Flock Reproductive Success on Sheep Farm Productivity

Author

Listed:
  • Lydia J. Farrell

    (Teagasc Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Mellows Campus, Athenry, H65 R718 Co. Galway, Ireland)

  • Paul R. Kenyon

    (School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand)

  • Stephen T. Morris

    (School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand)

  • Peter R. Tozer

    (School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand)

Abstract

Breeding hoggets (ewe lambs aged four to 16 months) at 8 to 9 months of age has a number of potential benefits, including increased lamb production and profitability. However, the majority of hoggets in New Zealand are not bred due to producer concerns regarding their variable reproductive success and increased feed demand. Simulation modelling was used to quantify effects of hogget breeding on sheep numbers, lamb production, sheep feed demand, and sheep enterprise cash operating surplus (COS) compared with a flock not breeding hoggets. Hogget weaning rate (HWR) was modelled at 0%, 60%, 80%, and 100% and combined with mature ewe flock weaning rates (FWR) of 132% and 150%, while maintaining total annual sheep feed demand. For each FWR, increased HWR reduced total sheep numbers, increased the proportion of sheep feed demand for lamb production, increased total numbers of lambs weaned, and increased COS. Therefore, achieving even a relatively low HWR of 60% can improve sheep enterprise profitability for a given FWR. However, COS was lower with FWR = 132% and HWR = 100% than with FWR = 150% and HWR = 0%. The results indicate farmers who do not currently breed their hoggets may wish to improve their FWR before considering HWRs.

Suggested Citation

  • Lydia J. Farrell & Paul R. Kenyon & Stephen T. Morris & Peter R. Tozer, 2020. "The Impact of Hogget and Mature Flock Reproductive Success on Sheep Farm Productivity," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:11:p:566-:d:448933
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wall, A.J. & Juengel, J.L. & Edwards, S.J. & Rendel, J.M., 2018. "The economic value of replacement breeding ewes attaining puberty within their first year of life on New Zealand sheep farms," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 38-46.
    2. Lydia J. Farrell & Peter R. Tozer & Paul R. Kenyon & Lydia M. Cranston & Thiagarajah Ramilan, 2021. "Producing Higher Value Wool through a Transition from Romney to Merino Crossbred: Constraining Sheep Feed Demand," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-17, September.
    3. Farrell, L.J. & Tozer, P.R. & Kenyon, P.R. & Ramilan, T. & Cranston, L.M., 2019. "The effect of ewe wastage in New Zealand sheep and beef farms on flock productivity and farm profitability," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 125-132.
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    Cited by:

    1. Addisu H. Addis & Hugh T. Blair & Paul R. Kenyon & Stephen T. Morris & Nicola M. Schreurs, 2021. "Optimization of Profit for Pasture-Based Beef Cattle and Sheep Farming Using Linear Programming: Model Development and Evaluation," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-16, June.
    2. Lydia J. Farrell & Stephen T. Morris & Paul R. Kenyon & Peter R. Tozer, 2021. "Simulating Beef Cattle Herd Productivity with Varying Cow Liveweight and Fixed Feed Supply," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Guoping Xiong & Xin Cao & Nicholas A. S. Hamm & Tao Lin & Guoqin Zhang & Binghong Chen, 2021. "Unbalanced Development Characteristics and Driving Mechanisms of Regional Urban Spatial Form: A Case Study of Jiangsu Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-39, March.
    4. James Chege Wangui & Paul R. Kenyon & Peter R. Tozer & James P. Millner & Sarah J. Pain, 2021. "Bioeconomic Modelling to Assess the Impacts of Using Native Shrubs on the Marginal Portions of the Sheep and Beef Hill Country Farms in New Zealand," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-21, October.
    5. Celal Cevher & Bulent Altunkaynak & Meltem Gürü, 2021. "Impacts of COVID-19 on Agricultural Production Branches: An Investigation of Anxiety Disorders among Farmers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-18, May.

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