SHEEP PRODUCTION AS AN ELEMENT OF OVERALL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN POLAND IN 1975-1996

Mroczkowski, Sawomir Baranowski, Andrzej
Piwczyski, Dariusz Voivodship Office in Bydgoszcz
Department of Genetics and Poland
Principles of Animal Breeding
University of Technology
and Agriculture in Bydgoszcz

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this document is to analyse some of the features of sheep production in past years, based on selected indicators of agricultural production in Poland.
The research has been performed on the basis of published and internal documents of the Statistics Office in Bydgoszcz. The statistical data covers a period of 22 years (1975-1996). Indicators used for the analysis are as follows: size of population, population density on 100 hectares of agricultural area, production of slaughter sheep in tonnes and number of animals, average weight of slaughtered sheep, wool production in general and per 100 hectares of agricultural area, and wool production per one animal. The following factors have been taken into account as secondary indicators of agricultural production: population of cattle and pigs, area of agricultural lands, arable lands, meadows and grasslands, percentage of grasslands in total area of agricultural lands, yields of the four basic cereals, and yields of sugar beets.
After completing a package of basic data, the analysis was performed using chronological series of data. Equalization of dynamic series was performed with the methodology of the smallest second powers. The linear function of the first power y'= bx+a has been used for the calculation of trends. The accuracy of trend lines has been evaluated on the basis of the estimated average error (Sy) and the factor of determination (R²). The factor of correlation of the straight line between researched factors has also been calculated. The performed analysis has shown, that sheep production was of a variable character, and observed development tendencies of sheep population indicated on irregular development cycles. In the years of 1975-1996 a systematic decrease (134 000 a year on average) in sheep population and decrease of a factor of intensification of sheep production, measured with population per 100 hectares (0.687 animals per 100 hectares of agricultural lands) was observed. In spite of a slight increase in the production of slaughter sheep - average 726 tonnes and 17 000 animals a year there were characteristic variations each year in the number of supplied animals. The average weight of the slaughtered animal decreased by an average of 0.6 kg a year. The volume of wool production decreased both in the total volume of production (average 360 tonnes a year) and on 100 hectares of agricultural land (1.86 kg a year, on average). A slight increase in wool production per an animal was noticed (25 g per animal per year, on average).
A positive correlation has been noticed between the size of sheep and cattle population (r=0.758) and between sheep and cattle population per hectare (r=0.775). This indicates that there was no competition between the two groups of animals. The negative correlation between populations of sheeps and pigs (r= -0.171), and between indicators of intensification of breeding of these two groups of animals (r= -0.176) was observed. These indicators show antagonism in this field, which suggests the competitive character of these two production specializations. The above mentioned conclusions have been supported by observed trends of reduction of sheep herds on account of pigs and poultry. The correlation factors calculated between features of sheep production and researched indicators of plant production took various values, which indicates a very complex problem.
The situation in the sheep sector in Poland is heterogeneous by regions, being indicated by an analysis of development trends in sheep production in one selected area, Bydgoszcz Voivodship, which belongs to a group of agriculturally strong regions in Poland.

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INTRODUCTION

The sheep sector in Poland, like the rest of animal production, is presently under going great transition, a result of necessary adjustments to a free market economy and privatization of the state sector. For many years in sheep breeding and production, the most preferred direction was wool production. Today, economic importance of wool production is no longer great. The present economic situation forces mainly slaughter sheep production. The Polish sheep sector has to adjust to this changed economic situation. Profitability of sheep production can be assured only by lamb production for export to the European Union. The slaughter direction of sheep production demands improvement of procreation ability, growth rates and meat content of animals, because the gap between the Polish and western sheep sector is significant (Blicharski, T. etal. 1994).
The main purpose of this paper is to analyse some of the features of sheep production in the past years, based on selected indicators of agricultural production in Poland.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research was performed on the basis of published (Powszechny Spis Rolny 1996, Roczniki Statystyczne 1975-1996) and internal documents of the Statistics Office in Bydgoszcz. The statistical data covers a period of 22 years (1975-1996). Indicators used for the analysis are as follows: size of population, population density on 100 hectares of agricultural area, production of slaughter sheep in tonnes and number of animals, average weight of slaughtered sheep, wool production in general and per 100 hectares of agricultural area and wool production per one animal. The following traits have been taken into account as secondary indicators of agricultural production: population of cattle and pigs, area of agricultural lands, arable lands, meadows and grasslands, percentage of grasslands in total area of agricultural lands, yields of the four basic cereals and yields of sugar beets.
After completing a package of basic data, the analysis was performed using chronological series of data. Equalization of dynamic series has been performed with the methodology of the smallest second powers. The linear function of the first power y'= bx+a has been used for the calculation of trends. The accuracy of trend lines has been evaluated on a basis of the estimated average error (Sy) and the coefficient of determination (R²). The coefficients of correlation of the straight line between researched traits has also been calculated.

RESULTS

The analysis of developmental tendencies of sheep population and intensification of production (Table 1, Figure 1) shows that the most dynamic development was observed in the period of years 1975 - 1986. The highest population 4 991 000 animals and the highest population density per 100 hectares 26.5 animals (Table 1) were reached during these years. But is was of a temporary and transient nature because, from 1986 until 1996 a constant decrease in sheep population is observed. In the years 1986-1996 the decrease expressed in absolute values was on average equal to 522 000 of animals a year (Table 1). According to the General Agricultural Census, size of sheep population for 1996 was 552 000 animals (Powszechny Spis Rolny 1996). This was the highest decrease since the end of World War. II. Another very high decrease in sheep population was observed during 1957-1963, but the size of the sheep population since 1974 was kept on a level exceeding 3 million animals, in spite of decreasing tendencies (Baranowski, A. et al. 1994). The trend of decreasing sheep population in Poland during 1975-1996 was accompanied by a tendency of a decrease in the cow population (Figure 1) but at a slower rate. The size of the cattle population in 1996 in Poland was nearly twice as smaller as in 1975 (Figure 1), whereas the size of the sheep population in 1996 was nine times less than in 1986 (Figure 1). The size of pig population during 1975-1996 was rather stable, with slight decreases (Figure 1).
In spite of a decrease in the sheep population in the years 1975-1996, it was notified that there was an increase in slaughter sheep production: expressed in average tonnes per year, this was 726 tonnes; expressed in average number of animals per year, the results were 17 296 animals. Tendencies toward decreasing weight of slaughtered animals (0.6 kg) and a slight increase in unit wool capacity (0.025 kg) were also observed (Table 1).
Decrease of agricultural lands in Poland in the years 1975-1996 with average 28 598 hectares a year (Figure 2), was not paralelled by a decrease of grass land area. In consequence, an increase of percentage share of grass lands in agricultural lands with (0.02 percent) (Figure 2) was observed. At the same time, an increase in yield of four cereals (338 000 tonnes a year, on average was reported) indicating an increase of unit yield because of a decrease in agricultural and arable lands. Sugar beet crops had a slightly decreasing tendency, with 83 000 tonnes a year on average (Figure 2).
Correlation coefficients calculated between examined traits were quite varied both in the meaning of sign and value, and they were not of statistical significance. From among statistically significant coefficients, correlation between size of sheep and cattle population (r=0.77) is important and indicates a complementary relationship in the production of these two types of farm animals. Negative but low and not statistically significant correlation coefficients between features characteristic for populations of sheep and pigs do not indicate a competitive character of production between these two types of animals. Correlation coefficients between features characteristic for sheep production and plant production are, in general, not statistically significant.

Figure 1. Trends of population size of sheep, cattle and pigs in Poland in 1975-1996

Figure 2. Trends of traits concerning plant production in Poland in 1975-1996

Table 1. Trends of some traits concerning sheep production in Poland in 1975-1996

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

1. In the years of 1976-1996 a distinct decrease in the size of sheep population was observed. In the last decade, 1986-1996, sheep population decreased more than nine times.
2. In spite of a decrease in the sheep population in Poland in the years 1975-1996, a tendency of increase in slaughter sheep production and in unit wool capacity were noticed.
3. Calculated correlation coefficients between examined features indicate, among others, the complementary relationship of sheep and cattle production, and a lack of correlation between characteristic features for sheep and plant production.

REFERENCES

Baranowski, A. - Mroczkowski, S. & Kubacki, S. 1994. Produkcja owczarska w wojewodzwie bydgoskim na tle pprodukcji krajowej w latach 1975-1993, Zeszyty Naukowe PTZ, 13, 13-18, 1994.
Blicharski, T. - Chachua, J. - Dymnicki, E. - Klewiec, J. & Reklewski, Z. 1994. Sytuacja w hodowli, kierunki doskonalenia zwierzt i rola sektora publicznego, Zeszyty Naukowe PTZ, 16, 1994.
Powszechny Spis Rolny 1996, Zwierzta gospodarskie, Gówny Urzd Statystyczny, Warszawa 1997.
Roczniki Statystyczne 1975-1996, Gówny Urzd Statystyczny, Warszawa.