Abstract

In selecting a sheep breeding strategy farmers need to evaluate the likely physical and financial outcomes relative to continuing the existing policy. The strategy should be assessed in terms of the new status quo production levels and costs and prices at this time, and the possible associated effect of changes in product attributes relative to market requirements. To assist farmers evaluate alternative breeding scenarios a spreadsheet-based enterprise budgeting model was developed. The input data and output are summarised to a one-page template to allow the user to assess the sensitivity of returns to different market and production scenarios for a particular farm situation. A flock at current performance levels and those in 5 years, following genetic and management improvement, is compared to a crossbreeding strategy to illustrate the model’s application.

WJ, Parker, AE Dooley, and DJ Garrick

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 58, , 165-169, 1998