A hedonic pricing approach to valuing Washera ram crossbreeding for sustainable genetic improvement of Farta sheep in Ethiopia

This study employed a hedonic pricing model to determine whether Washera-Farta crossbreds offer an economic advantage compared to pure Farta sheep in the local markets of northwest Ethiopia. Data on buyer characteristics and sheep attributes were collected between 2022 and 2023 from 242 traded sheep in the Lay Gayint district. Sheep prices were log-transformed to ensure homoskedasticity of the error variance. Data were analyzed using a hedonic pricing model, formulated in log-linear form and estimated via Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. During the study period, the average price of sheep was about 2338 Ethiopian Birr, with a mean live weight of 26 ± 6.28 kg. The analysis revealed that buyer type significantly influenced sheep prices (p < 0.05), with traders paying approximately 7% higher premiums than did farmers. Sheep marketed for fattening and slaughter commanded a 9% price premium over those for quick resale (p < 0.05). Breed was a significant source of price variation (p < 0.001), with Washera-Farta crossbreds commanding a 13.5% higher price than pure Farta sheep in the studied markets. These findings indicate a market preference for crossbreds under local conditions. Sheep sex had a strong impact on price (p < 0.01), with males sold for a 12.4% premium compared to females. Sheep with black coats were marketed at lower prices than those with white coats, and horned sheep received higher prices than non-horned sheep (p < 0.05). A non-linear relationship was observed between age and price; price increased from the milk-teeth stage to sheep with one or two pairs of permanent incisors before declining in older (full-mouth) individuals. Body condition and live weight exerted significant positive effects on price (p < 0.001). Overall, price premiums observed for Washera-Farta crossbreds suggest that Washera ram-based crossbreeding strategies may offer sustainable economic benefits for smallholder farmers in this context. Such benefits could potentially be enhanced by integrating crossbreeding with improved husbandry practices.