Determination of breeding objectives and economic values of Lori-Bakhtiari sheep in nomadic system

In this study production, reproduction, management and economic parameters resulted from recording 6 flocks with 1228 heads of breeding ewes during one year were used to determine the breeding objectives of Lori-Bakhtiari sheep in nomadic production system. A bio-economic model used to determine economic value for each trait in maximum profit, efficiency and minimum cost interests. For deriving economic weights, change in profit by one percent increase in mean of a trait, while all other traits werefixed at their means, were calculated and then divided by amount increased in that trait. To calculate the relative economic values, the absolute economic value of each trait was divided by the absolute economic value of the weight of wool. Sensitivity of economic weights to ±20 percentage changes in prices of costs and revenues were analysed. Economic analysis of system indicated that, costs, revenue, and profit per ewe per year were 1128200, 887255, and -240945 Rials, respectively. Labour costs with 55.7 % and revenue from live weight accounted for about 97.3 %, had the highest percentage of total costs and revenue, respectively. Feed and fixed costs represented about 36.9 % and 1.8 % of total costs, respectively. Lamb live weight at 5-month, litter size, lambing frequency, conception rate, lamb survival at birth, lamb survival from birth to 5 months, mature ewe live weight, fleece weight in ewes, ewe and replacement survival rate were represented in profit equation and accepted as breeding objectives. Relative economic values in maximum profit interest were, 2.64 for 5-month lamb live weight, 57.33 for litter size, 73.41 for lambing frequency, 97.88 for conception rate, 92.60 for lamb survival at birth, 113.96 for lamb survival from birth to 5 months, -0.067 for mature ewe live weight, 1 for weight of wool, 215.05 for ewe survival and 59.67 for replacement survival rate. It was concluded that litter size, lambing frequency, conception rate and survival rates, were the most important traits in breeding objectives. Sensitivity of economic weights with regard to meat price change was higher than the others.