| Popis: |
The dynamics of factors that cumulate to determine the prices of sheep during festive periods (Eid al-Adha) are known. However, such factors that dictate prices during off-season (non-festivity periods) are not fully known. Structural equation modeling as a multivariate analytical tool is capable of bringing out the latent (hidden) factors responsible for price determination for sheep. Prices, body weight and linear body measurements of 621 sheep of both sexes consisting of Balami, Sudanese, Uda and Yankasa breeds were used to examine relationships among the variables. The sheep were obtained from Unguwa Uku, Dorayi, Kara, Bachirawa, Yankaba, Mariri and Kabara livestock markets in Municipal, Taruauni, Gmale, Nassarawa, Fagge and Dala Local Government Areas of Kano State. Body weights, neck length, back length, leg length, height at wither, loin girth and chest girth were parameters monitored. The data obtained were subjected to generalized least squares (GLS) estimator of a triangular seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model. Maximum likelihood estimation method of structural equation modelling was used to generate parameter estimates through recursive system with correlated errors (SEM Command Language). Price of sheep is an observed variable while type and body parameters were generated as latent variables. Type as a latent variable had direct relationships with breed, sex and body weight class. Body parameter on the other hand had direct relationships with body weight and all the linear body measurements. The z-values were 2.9 for breed, 2.8 for sex and 2.5 for body weight class, others are 4.6 for birth weight, 1.9 for neck length, 4.1 for back length, 6.8 for loin, 7.4 for chest girth, 8.3 for height at wither and 6.1 for leg length. Simultaneous prediction equations for estimating prices of sheep had been generated for some selected livestock markets in Kano State. |
