Technical efficiency of meat sheep production systems in Spain

The technical efficiency of sheep results in one of the most important sheep producing regions in Spain has been assessed. The methodology is based on a survey from representative farms (in terms of the existing alternative production systems) within the region. Results indicate that the best farms, in terms of technical efficiency, are obtained by extreme situations: either by extensive and well-managed farms, without pens and one lambing per year (lower production but well adapted to the seasonality of prices and more reduced costs), or by well-managed farms with prolific ewes. Thus, maximum efficiency is determined not so much by the production system as by the technical and economic management to accommodate the specific circumstances of each farm.