A typological characterization of dairy Assaf breed sheep farms at NW of Spain based on structural factor

J.A. Riveiro, A.R. Mantecón, C.J. Álvarez and P. Lavín

Agricultural Systems, 2013, vol. 120, issue C, 27-37

Abstract: The dairy sheep farms at Central-Nord o Spain have adapted well to the new contextual conditions by introducing highly specialized breeds, increasing flock size or incorporating new production techniques and technologies. This paper describes the analysis procedure and the results obtained from structural characteristics (dimensional, organizative and investments on building, machinery and facilities) for a sample of 44 farms in the study area (León). We collected data in visits to farms with a previously made questionnaire. We processed these data, filtered them with preliminary analysis to later analyze their main components, followed by a hierarchical conglomerate analysis and an ANOVA. As a result, we obtained six distinct groups or types of farms that are representative of dairy sheep production in the study area: (i) large traditional farms (n=4); (ii) small traditional farms (n=6); (iii) farms with a complementary agricultural activity (n=7); (iv) emerging small farms (n=8); (v) modernized medium-sized farms (n=12), and (vi) dairy sheep farms without cultivated land (n=6). According to this distribution, 58% of ewes are concentrated in medium-sized farms (400–800 ewes).

Keywords: Farm typology; Dairy sheep; Farming system (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:agisys:v:120:y:2013:i:c:p:27-37

DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2013.05.004

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