Characterization of sheep farming in the Altiplano region of the State of Hidalgo, Mexico

The aim of this study was to describe the socioeconomic, productive and health characteristics of sheep farming in the Altiplano region of Hidalgo, Mexico. To this end, a random survey was applied to 75 sheep farmers. The questions were aimed at social, economic, reproductive, conformation and structure information of the flock. The types of sheep farms were established using cluster analysis. All data were studied using descriptive statistics, and a Pearson correlation analysis for production variables. The results of this study were classified into two clusters: 1) backyard production units (BPU; 55%) and 2) semi-technical production units (ST-PU; 44%). The producers have an average age of 45.2 years in the BPU and 47.1 years for the ST-PU, 43.7% are female (BPU) and 93% are male (ST-PU). In the BPU, 31.2% have a secondary education and in the ST-PU only 64.2%. 85% of the BPU have mesh pens and 36% of the ST-PU are made of metal. Reproductive management is carried out by direct mating (100%) in the ST-PU and 71.5% of the BPU use reproductive technologies such as artificial insemination. A positive correlation (p < 0.001) was identified between the number of females and the studs used in the sheep production units (SPU). It´s concluded that sheep farmers in the Altiplano region of the State of Hidalgo produce on a small scale under BPU and semi-technical methods, and do not receive technical training.