ANALYSIS OF SHEEP CHARACTERISTICS INFLUENCING SELLING PRICE IN DAMBAM LIVESTOCK MARKET OF BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study evaluated the influence of sheep characteristics on selling price in Dambam livestock market of Bauchi State, Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 810 sheep traders. Data were collected using structured questionnaire for 37 weeks and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Gini coefficient and general linear model. The result reveals that all sheep traders were males (100%). The findings also revealed a Gini coefficient of 0.20, exhibiting oligopolistic market structures. The result of general linear model reveals coefficient of multiple determination (R2) value of 0.78, implying that 78% variations in selling price of sheep were explained by the independent variables included in the model.  The findings also reveals that size and body condition of sheep significantly influence (p < 0.001) selling price in the study area. The selling price of large size animal (N36,985.82) was significantly higher than that of medium size animal (N25, 297.04) and small sized animal (N17,773.84). The study concludes that the selling price of very fat animal (N27,043.06) attracts highest price among all categories in the study area. The selling price of Yankasa breed commanded higher price (N 30, 311.33) among the different breeds. While Uda, Balami and West African Dwarf  breeds attracted  N26,614.54 , N26, 531.10 and N26,475.12, respectively. The study recommends the need to introduce standardized unit of measurement and educate farmers on how to improve those attributes in the study area to enable them to obtain better price for their livestock and empower them to adopt modern management practices.