The main objectives of this study can be divided into three categories. In the first place it refers to the determination of production- and reproduction norms for the different main production areas in the greater Burgersdorp area, to promote production. In the second place it refers to the determination of the different management styles of sheep farmers in the greater Burgersdorp area. In the third place it refers to the calculation of gross margins for sheep farming in the greater Burgersdorp area, to establish the sustainable economic position. The survey area (the greater Burgersdorp area) includes the magisterial districts of Burgersdorp, Molteno, Steynsburg and Venterstad. The four magisterial districts were divided into two main production areas namely Stormberg Highveld and Burgersdorp Lowveld. Stormberg Highveld includes Molteno and the high-lying area (highveld) of Burgersdorp. Burgersdorp Lowveld comprises Steynsburg, Venterstad and the low-lying area (lowveld) of Burgersdorp. The management strategies of sheep farmers in the survey area were determined by means of a questionnaire and statistically analysed. The economic analyses of the sheep industry (wool and meat) were performed with the Geyer computer model. In this study it showed that the Dorper farmers obtained the highest gross margin per sheep. The lowest gross margin per sheep resulted from the Vleismerino farmers. Although the composition of the gross production value and the directly allocatable variable costs compare favourably, each main production area has unique management strategies for the different sheep breeds. The different management strategies can serve as the norm for extensive sheep farming, applicable to the specific main production area.

Thesis (MPhil (Agricultural Economics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / The Dorper Sheep species are exclusively bred for the dry arid conditions of some parts of South Africa. This species adapts easily and a prime lamb with great characteristics can be produced. There are two very important controlable factors regarding Dorper sheep farming namely herd management and cultivation. Herd management involves feeding, mating, mating methods and the handling of animals and their products. A few good objectives of herd management are the short breeding interval, low deaths and high performance rating. Genetic improvement can be achieved by using good rams, the selection of ewe-lambs as forthcoming breeding ewes, culling of uneconomic producers and the application of good breeding practices to improve meat production and reproduction. In this study a comparison is made between the management practices (herd management and cultivation) of Dorper farmers in 1990 and the management practices of Dorper farmers in 2004. For this aim the research of J.J. Ackermann (1990) was used. In 2004 questionnaires were send to Dorper farmers throughout South-Africa to get more information about their management practices. The conclusion of the study was that there was an increase in tertiary qualification of Dorper farmers from 1990 to 2004 and that more farmers used modern practices instead of the old traditional methods.