Economics of the sheep breeding operations of the Department of Lands and Survey

Abstract

Performance recording is an important tool that can be used by sheep breeders in sheep selection. Raising the average performance of the flock via such a procedure is a mechanism whereby output can be increased from farms without increasing sheep numbers. Alternatively, with higher per head performance, the same output can be achieved at a lower cost. This report, written by A.T.G. McArthur, reader in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Marketing at the College, gives an economic evaluation of a performance recording scheme used by the Department of Lands and Survey. The evaluation is effected in terms of an equivalent annual return and is subjected to an uncertainty analysis. Economic evaluations of such technologies and procedures are important if decision makers are to be guided as to the efficiency and distributional effects of different actions.