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Economic Performance of Dairy Sheep Farms in Less-Favoured Areas of Greece: A Comparative Analysis Based on Flock Size and Farming System

Author

Listed:
  • Vasiliki Papanikolopoulou

    (Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Sotiria Vouraki

    (Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Stergios Priskas

    (Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Alexandros Theodoridis

    (Laboratory of Livestock Production Economics, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Socratis Dimitriou

    (Achilleas Socratis P.C., 53200 Amyntaio, Greece)

  • Georgios Arsenos

    (Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

Dairy sheep farming is a significant agricultural sector in Mediterranean countries, providing income and employment opportunities in less-favoured areas (LFAs). The economic performance of dairy sheep farms is of significant interest to LFAs. However, relevant literature is scarce. The objectives here were to evaluate the economic performance of dairy sheep farms in LFAs of Greece and perform a comparative analysis based on flock size and farming system. In total, 19 and 26 dairy sheep farms for two production periods were used. Farm technical (flock size, production, grazing and nutritional management) and economic (income and variable costs) data were collected. The economic performance of farms was estimated using Happy Goats, a decision support tool for small ruminant farming. Estimated economic parameters were analysed by flock size (≤150 ewes vs. >150 ewes) and farming system (intensive/semi-intensive vs. semi-extensive). Results showed that 37% and 31% of farms were operating with losses in each production period, respectively. Based on nutritional management, ewes produced about 50 kg less milk per milking period. Smaller and semi-extensive farms had significantly ( p < 0.05) lower incomes and variable costs. A significantly ( p < 0.05) lower average gross margin was reported for smaller compared to larger farms. Results suggest a better economic perspective for larger flock sizes.

Suggested Citation

  • Vasiliki Papanikolopoulou & Sotiria Vouraki & Stergios Priskas & Alexandros Theodoridis & Socratis Dimitriou & Georgios Arsenos, 2023. "Economic Performance of Dairy Sheep Farms in Less-Favoured Areas of Greece: A Comparative Analysis Based on Flock Size and Farming System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:2:p:1681-:d:1036783
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Danilo Gambelli & Francesco Solfanelli & Stefano Orsini & Raffaele Zanoli, 2021. "Measuring the Economic Performance of Small Ruminant Farms Using Balanced Scorecard and Importance-Performance Analysis: A European Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-13, March.
    2. A. M. Theodoridis & A. Psychoudakis, 2008. "Efficiency Measurement in Greek Dairy Farms: Stochastic Frontier vs. Data Envelopment Analysis," International Journal of Business and Economic Sciences Applied Research (IJBESAR), International Hellenic University (IHU), Kavala Campus, Greece (formerly Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology - EMaTTech), vol. 1(2), pages 53-67, December.
    3. Alexandros Theodoridis & Sotiria Vouraki & Emmanuel Morin & Georgia Koutouzidou & Georgios Arsenos, 2022. "Efficiency Analysis and Identification of Best Practices and Innovations in Dairy Sheep Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-12, October.
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