Efficiency Analysis and Identification of Best Practices and Innovations in Dairy Sheep Farming

The adoption of the best practices is crucial for survival dairy sheep farms that operate under extensive and/or semi-extensive systems. In this study, an efficiency analysis was implemented to reveal observed applied by more efficient farms. Data Envelopment Analysis used on data from 60 rear Manech or Basco-bearnaise, and Lacaune breeds systems in France. main characteristics most are presented a comparative economic between fully less farms, highlighting optimal farm structure determining major cost drivers farming. farmers provided information within iSAGE Horizon 2020 project regarding management enhance their sustainability. results show there room improvement smaller flocks than achieve higher milk yields. Fixed capital, labor, feeding constitute drivers. Results should exploit economies scale use labor infrastructure reduce per product, as well uptake innovations, related mainly modern breeding reproduction methods, digital technologies.