Determinants of extensive sheep production systems in Central Greece

Sheep breeding is regarded as an important activity for a large part of rural population in Greece. For this reason, the determinants of sheep production systems were investigated based on standardized questionnaires and in-depth interviews with all sheep breeders at the six districts of the Municipality of Kilada, Larisa, in Central Greece during 2010. The data were processed using Pearson’s test (p≤0.05). Farmer’s age, holding structure (family, individual) and flock size were considered as independent variables (determinants). Such results are expected to be useful for rangeland managers and policy makers. It was found that the older farmers avoid using temporary pastures and use more stubble fields during autumn. They also prefer to practice hand milking. On the other hand the younger farmers establish temporary pastures utilizing agricultural land of small size and tend to make higher investments in establishing and fertilizing them. They also use these pastures as long as possible during spring and appear to be willing to insert more milk-productive races such as “Chiotiko”, to keep bigger flocks and to apply mechanized milking. Age- independent variables appear to be the use of rangelands, the practicing of transhumance and the grazing in snowing days. Cultivation cost/ha also seems to be an age-independent variable, either as self-made or as employed service, as well as watering of temporary pastures. Owners of family holdings are willing to lead their flocks in a long distance in order to secure natural forage but mainly during summer and autumn. The holdings which employ only family members invest more financial means for purchased feedstuffs such as hay of legume as they are not so willing to pasture on the rangelands during the winter days in contrast to the non-family shepherds. Farmers practicing transhumance seem to employ non family members for this purpose and return in October, later than farmers which employ only family members. The owners of big flocks have a tendency to keep longer transhumance period during autumn and they are also more willing to spend longer time on rangelands during winter. As a result, they use less condensed feedstuffs in autumn. Also, they do not have sheds in residential areas.