Abstract

Manchega sheep farms are characterized by technical, social and commercial aspects of the protected designation of origin "Queso Manchego". The data was obtained through surveys with stratified random sampling and proportional allocation, representing 17.25 % of the population. The characterization was obtained by analysis of descriptive statistics. Groups were formed based on the size and use of technology and compared using a multivariate ANOVAC. The typical farm responds to a mixed crop-livestock extensive system of pastoral type (85 %), with 888 sheep and 1,124 ha total area, 18 % of this area is used in agriculture, mainly grain and forage, the rest of the ST is natural grass, fallow land and wastelands which are used by grazing. The farmer is 48 yr old, married, with one child; there is hope for continuity in the activity (91 %), and generational handover (74 %). The marketing is done by 91 % for long or traditional commercial channels and only 9 % for short or alternative channels (9 %). The greater challenge is associated with high input prices and low product prices. The competitive advantages of the farms are on the one hand the low level of investment and the realization of low-yield farming, aspects that give it flexibility. From the groups by size and technology use different production models emphasizing small and large farms with low use of technologies and large with high use of established technology.