Determination of Economic Values of Survival, Production and Reproduction Traits for Zel Sheep in Extensive System

In this study production, reproduction, management and economic parameters resulted from recording of 6 flocks with 1500 head of breeding ewes during annual cycle of production (August 2011 to August 2012) in extensive system were used to determine of the breeding objective and relative economic values of survival, production and reproduction traits for Zel breed of sheep. For deriving economic weights, change in profit by one percent increase in mean of a trait, while all other traits were fixed at their means, were calculated and then divided by amount increased in that trait. With analysis of cost and revenue for each of breeding ewe, the highest level of revenue and cost were for live weight and nutrition, respectively. The breeding goals of Zel sheep consist of relative economic values 15.47 for conception rate, 10.58 ewe survival, 10.79 for lamb survival from birth to 6 month, 8.04 for lambing frequency, 8.83 for litter size, -12.89 for weight of ewe, -4.32 for replacement weight, 6.11 for weight of wool, 1.68 for weight of milk and 21.25 for 6 month live lamb weight. The results showed that survival and reproduction traits are important for Zel sheep as well as body weight traits. So, precious registration of the data and implementation of these traits in breeding schemes of this breed is strongly recommended.