Abstract

GALAVIZ-RODRIGUEZ, J. Reyes et al. Territorial evaluation of sheep production systems in Northwest Tlaxcala. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2011, vol.2, n.1, pp.53-68. ISSN 2448-6698.

The purposes of the present study were to analyze sheep production associated to both rain fed agriculture and to group municipalities in territories based on characteristics of sheep production systems. Six municipalities in Northwest Tlaxcala were chosen at random. Maps detailing soil use, bodies of water and vegetation were used. Social, production and economic data referred to 238 sheep raising smallholder families chosen at random were gathered. Data were analyzed by conventional variance and canonical discriminant analysis. Differences between municipalities were found (P<0.05) for most social, economic and production variables. Discriminate variables between municipalities were sheep stocking rate, net annual income, flock size and gross annual income (sales). Two territories, classified as sheep-crop and sheep rasing with multiple resources, were identified. In the first territory, sheep raising is an alternative activity for 50 % of families who grow rainfed crops, and in the second territory, sheep raising is an option (29.2 %), relaying on grazing areas, with definite production aims, and selling sheep breeding stock (3.5 %). Differences in resource use and production goals of sheep raising systems justified the formation of two territories. It is suggested to build up two sheep production strategies for improving both income and wellbeing of smallholder families.

Keywords : Sheep; Production systems; Income; Municipalities; Multivariate analysis.

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