-The objective of this study was to develop a model for calculation and analysis of production costs of lamb and, from that, to elaborate a production cost index. Panel meetings were held in five regions of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, to define technical features of representative properties of lamb production, taken as a basis for the preparation of the cost calculation model. Then the model for production cost calculation was built. The third step consisted of monitoring prices of inputs used, calculating production costs along the studied period, and generating the cost index, by the Laspeyres model. Lastly, questionnaires were applied to sheep producers, to validate the cost index. The model for production cost calculation was planned to be of easy utilization by farmers, and simultaneously faithful to the theoretical principles. The adopted scheme of cost allocation followed the classification of "variable", "fixed operating", and "income of factors". We generated cost indexes for each of the five studied regions, which were then aggregated in a state index, by weighting regional indexes by flock size. More than 97% of the answers to the validation questionnaires were positive, so we considered that the index reached a high level of approval. The application of Economic Theory is essential for the development of cost calculation models. The developed model has potential to generate important information that can help producers to make decisions. It can work in many contexts, and it can even be adapted to other livestock species. The production cost index for lamb was approved and can collaborate with the organization of the sheep agroindustrial system.

Sheep production has expanded in Brazil focusing on lamb meat, mostly to meet demanding internal markets in the state of São Paulo. Such markets present a demand which internal production is insufficient to meet. However, sheep farmers face many technical difficulties to produce quality lambs at viable costs. This study aimed at investigating the main characteristics of sheep production systems of the state of São Paulo, Brazil, in order to provide resources for the development of technologies, policies and other initiatives focused on the activity. We designed in panel meetings the characteristics of representative sheep farms in five regions of the state, concerning: (i) property and manpower profile; (ii) flock; (iii) handling techniques; (iv) facilities and equipment; (v) food production; and (vi) technical indicators. Results demonstrate that the predominant sheep farming in the state employs low technology, presenting low productivity despite its evolution in recent years. We verified great technical deficiency regarding farmers, who are new in this business and usually do not have access to technologies. Producers' unawareness about basic handling procedures and techniques as well as their lack of flock records can contribute to the activity's unsustainability. There is need for improving rural extension and diffusion of technologies.

Since lamb is a commodity, producers cannot control the price of the product they sell. Therefore, managing production costs is a necessity. We explored the study of elasticities as a tool for basing decision-making in sheep production, and aimed at investigating the composition and elasticities of lamb production costs, and their influence on the performance of the activity. A representative sheep production farm, designed in a panel meeting, was the base for calculation of lamb production cost. We then performed studies of: i) costs composition, and ii) cost elasticities for prices of inputs and for zootechnical indicators. Variable costs represented 64.15% of total cost, while 21.66% were represented by operational fixed costs, and 14.19% by the income of the factors. As for elasticities to input prices, the opportunity cost of land was the item to which production cost was more sensitive: a 1% increase in its price would cause a 0.2666% increase in lamb cost. Meanwhile, the impact of increasing any technical indicator was significantly higher than the impact of rising input prices. A 1% increase in weight at slaughter, for example, would reduce total cost in 0.91%. The greatest obstacle to economic viability of sheep production under the observed conditions is low technical efficiency. Increased production costs are more related to deficient zootechnical indexes than to high expenses.

Due to the high value of land in Brazil, it is necessary to conduct studies about the economic feasibility of the choice of production strategy. The soil expectation value determines the maximum purchase price of the bare land, considering the horizon of infinite time. Therefore, this methodology was used to assess the financial-economic feasibility of sheep production systems in pasture with either creep feeding or creep grazing termination of unweaned lambs. Six scenarios were proposed to evaluate the economic feasibility, according to the finishing strategy, the dry matter (DM) offer per kg of body weight (BW) per day (12% or 8%) and the corresponding percentage of white clover supplementary pasture area (30% to 50% -relative to the main pasture area). The soil expectation value was positive in all of the evaluated systems Creep grazing finishing system with 8% DM offer per kg BW and with 30% of reduction on the white glover area resulted in the largest financial return (R$ 289,043.71) and the highest internal return rate (1.74%). The most economically attractive scenario, however, was the creep feeding finishing system with 8% DM offer per kg of BW, which allowed expenses with the land as high as R$ 22,950.68 per hectare. Adjustments in the main pasture offer, which do not compromise animal performance, can enable economic improvement on the feasibility of grazing sheep production systems. The soil expectation value can be used as an economic indicator in the choice of location or expansion of grazing sheep farms.Keywords: Animal production. Creep feeding. Creep grazing. Land cost. Production strategy. ResumoDevido ao valor elevado da terra no Brasil, é necessária a realização de estudos de viabilidade econômica durante a escolha da estratégia de produção. O valor esperado da terra determina o preço máximo de compra da terra nua, considerando o horizonte de tempo infinito. Portanto, essa metodologia foi utilizada para avaliar a viabilidade econô-mico-financeira de sistemas de produção de ovinos em pastagem com terminação em creep feeding ou creep grazing de cordeiros não desmamados. Seis cenários foram propostos para avaliar a viabilidade econômica de acordo com a estratégia de terminação, a oferta de matéria seca (MS) por kg de peso vivo (PV) por dia (12% ou 8%) e a área de pastagem suplementar correspondente de trevo branco (30% a 50% -em relação à área de pastagem principal). O valor esperado da terra foi positivo em todos os sistemas avaliados. O sistema com terminação em creep grazing com 8% de oferta de MS/PV e com redução da área suplementar para 30% apresentou o maior retorno financeiro (R$ 289.043,71) e a maior taxa interna de retorno (1,74%). No entanto, o cenário economicamente mais atraente foi o sistema de creep feeding com 8% de oferta de MS/PV, permitindo despesas de até R$ 22.950,68 por hectare. Ajustes na oferta da pastagem principal, que não comprometam o desempenho do animal, podem permitir melhores resultados econômicos de sistemas de produção de ovinos em pastagem. O valor espera...

A hybrid stochastic model was developed including discrete events and agent-based simulations in order to identify the productive parameters and management criteria that most affect meat sheep production. A sheep herd on a pasture termination system, without weaning and with natural mating, was outlined. In order to devise this herd, a pre-existing database from between 1999 and 2013 was used. This conceptual model included the flushing, mating, gestation, lactation, termination and maintenance phases. Health, feeding and management criteria were also considered and recommended. Simulation scenarios were built which were later evaluated by regression analysis. The net operational margin was between R$ 11 741.80 and R$ 21 389.80, and an average of R$ 14 412.14 ± R$ 3 873.02 for different scenarios. Food costs had the greatest impact (25.4%) in relation to operating costs, while health costs were the lowest (1.3%). The abortion rate showed a higher linear response in contrast to the birth rate and the net operating margin, upon analysing ewe productivity parameters. However, neonatal mortality showed the greatest impact on net profit and on general lamb mortality. Carrying out economic analyses within the livestock sector can make a difference within such a competitive market, where prices are not controlled, only costs. The use of discrete event and agent-based simulation methodologies allowed for the assessment of different approaches to sheep production. The present study demonstrated the tool’s potential within the scope of meat sheep production, but this model can act as a guideline for other animal production systems.

A ovinocultura brasileira vem sofrendo pelo menos duas grandes mudanças: a mudança de foco, da produção de lã para a de carne; e sua expansão para novas áreas. Isto gerou um vácuo de informações aplicáveis a animais e condições distintos. Pesquisas se iniciaram e novas tecnologias passaram a ser desenvolvidas e aplicadas para subsidiar a atividade. Este trabalho analisou a influência das inovações tecnológicas sobre a organização do sistema agroindustrial (SAG) ovino, sob a ótica da Economia dos Custos de Transação RAINERI, C. et al. As inovações tecnológicas na ovinocultura brasileira e seus efeitos na organização do sistema agroindustrial. PUBVET,

Aos meus pais, Neusa e Carlos, pelo incentivo e apoio incondicional. Às minhas tias Ângela, Meg e Bete, ao meu tio Ettore e a toda a família, pela torcida. À Brisa, minha companheira, confidente e guarda-costas, por estar literalmente sempre ao meu lado, lambendo meus pés quando nada mais poderia surtir efeito. Ao Snow, pelas risadas quando elas pareciam impossíveis... Dedico.

No início dos anos 2000, a ovinocultura passou a ocupar uma posição de destaque no agronegócio brasileiro, atraindo investidores e sendo reconhecida como uma nova alternativa para a diversificação no campo. Muitos novos criadores e indústrias surgiram, motivados pelo déficit entre a produção e a demanda pela carne de cordeiro no país, que faz com que importemos centenas de milhares de toneladas do produto todos os anos. Cerca de uma década se passou desde a euforia inicial, em que se verificou intenso ingresso de criadores na atividade, e este ensaio tem o objetivo de fazer um breve resumo de fatos importantes para o setor, ocorridos em 2013, e de apresentar algumas perspectivas para o próximo ano. É abordada a evolução dos seguintes tópicos: i) abates legalizados e clandestinos, ii) importações de carne ovina, iii) abate de fêmeas e suas consequências para o mercado, iv) valores de mercado de produtos ovinos e custo de produção, v) iniciativas governamentais em prol da atividade. O que se percebe é que muitos avanços têm ocorrido, mas muitos desafios ainda existem para a consolidação da atividade.