Analysis of sheep utility attributes in ecological and conventional flocks in the Czech Republic

The goal of this diploma thesis was to perform an analysis of sheep breeding of Suffolk breed in basic reproductive performance and meat production traits aspects. The information for rating these aspects was used from two farms. The first of them used conventional way of breeding (ZVOZD Horácko, družstvo) and the second one used ecological way (EkofarmaKosařůvmlýn, s.r.o.). Fertilization, fertility, intensity and rearing belong among monitored reproductive indicators. These reproductive indicators are expressed in percentages. Regarding meat production traits rating in this thesis we compared influences of year of lambing, farming method, birth month, sex, litter size and age of dam. All these influences were judge according to birth weight (kg), weight at the age of 100 days (kg), average growth (g), depth of the longest dorsal muscle (mm) and according to depth of subcutaneous fat (mm). Reproductive performance and meat production were monitored in years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. In terms of reproductive performance with a few exceptions it was true that ZVOZD Horácko, družstvo reached the best values, and in most cases better than the national average. For example in terms of intensity values in 2012 ZVOZD Horácko, družstvo had 35,9% better results compared to national average. In the same year this farm reached 48,1% higher values of percentage rearing compared to national average. Ekofarma Kosařův mlýn, s.r.o. showed worse performances, however it was in most cases better than national average. In terms of intensity in 2011 Ekofarma Kosařův mlýn, s.r.o. had the same results as the ZVOZD Horácko, družstvo. Meat production properties were supported by statistical calculations and all of them were conclusive at least at the level of significance P < 0,05 in all cases except month of birth effect on birth weight. The best results of meat production in terms of effect of lambing had the year 2012, when the birth weight was one of the highest and the other properties (weight at the age of 100 days, average growth, depth of the longest dorsal muscle, depth of subcutaneous fat) were by far the highest in the period of 2011-2015. Next we found out that the ecological way of breeding (in this case Ekofarma Kosařůvmlýn, s.r.o.) has better results than the conventional way (ZVOZD Horácko, družstvo). The effect of birthmonth has the significant influence on the indicators of meat production and the lambs born in April had the best results. In the case of sex rams are better. Litter size has very important influence on meat production the more lambs per one mother, the lower birth weights, the lower weights until the period of weaning, the lower weights at the age of 100 days. It is affected by milkiness of the mother. Moreover, the age of mothers also play a significant role. In our research the highest birth weights had lambs of one year old mothers and all other indicators were the highest in the case of three year old dams