Table 7.
Characteristics of adopters and non-adopters of mineral and vitamin supplementation in lowland lamb production flocks (n = 140)
| Variable | Adopters (n = 101 flocks)1 | Nonadopters (n = 39 flocks)1 | P-value | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | SD | Mean | SD | ||
| Gross output/ewe, € | 142.8 | 53.62 | 131.8 | 40.27 | NS |
| Gross margin/ewe, € | 77.0 | 50.68 | 65.6 | 42.63 | NS |
| Lambs reared/ewe joined | 1.39 | 0.26 | 1.34 | 0.26 | NS |
| Ewes/ha | 7.10 | 2.76 | 7.00 | 2.58 | NS |
| Number of ewes | 115.3a | 132.59 | 71.6b | 100.22 | <0.05 |
| Concentrates per ewe, kg | 95.2 | 62.37 | 110.2 | 70.98 | NS |
| Concentrate as MV2 supplementation, % | 0.54 | 0.50 | 0.53 | 0.51 | NS |
| Farm size, ha | 47.4 | 30.78 | 38.3 | 31.26 | NS |
| Formal agricultural training3, % | 0.54a | 0.50 | 0.18b | 0.39 | <0.001 |
| Access to agricultural advisor, % | 0.71 | 0.46 | 0.69 | 0.47 | NS |
| Age, years | 56.3 | 11.36 | 53.8 | 11.19 | NS |
| Veterinary costs/ewe, € | 14.02 | 7.36 | 11.43 | 6.76 | NS |
Within a row, means denoted by a different letter indicate significant differences (P ≤ 0.05). NS, not significant (P > 0.05).
Weighted data — weighting factors (based on the most recent Census of Agriculture) provided by the Central Statistics Office.
Mineral and vitamin.
Where the farmer has completed a farm apprenticeship or any full-time or part-time courses on farming.