scholarly journals Production systems and economics of sheep husbandry in southern Albania

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 1167-1176
Author(s):  
J. Mavromati ◽  
Z. Gjeta ◽  
E. Mavromati ◽  
V. Kolaneci ◽  
A. Molla
Keyword(s):  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Gross Margin ◽  
Livestock Sector ◽  
Small Livestock ◽  
Intensive System

Small ruminants in Albania seem to have a great importance within the livestock sector. The small ruminants' populations count almost 2.7 million heads, out of which 1.8 million are sheep. The estimated value of the commercialized small livestock population is about 35 million Euros. The total value of the small ruminant population is estimated at 140 million Euros. More than 1.5 million heads of small ruminants are consumed each year in the local market. Import of small ruminant?s meat was at a level of 599 ton/year (2010 data). This study aimed the assessment of the production systems and economics of sheep husbandry in the southern regions of Albania. The different husbandry systems employed (transhumant, non transhumant, semi-intensive) showed only slight differences in terms of outputs, but not the expected differences regarding inputs (feeds) and corresponding costs (semi-intensive system). The economic assessment demonstrates very useful and interesting results. Overall Gross Margin per ewe and lambs at weaning was in the area of 6,369.00 ALL (1 Euro=136 Albanian Lek, ALL), the range of GM was enormous between different farms (3,042.6 ALL - 11,322.4 ALL), mainly caused by the large differences in feeding and labor costs per ewe.

scholarly journals Carcass and meat lamb and kid quality and development of consumer acceptability

2008 ◽  
Vol 37 (spe) ◽  
pp. 143-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Sañudo Astiz
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Ageing Time ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Consumer Acceptability ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
World Population ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Artificial Fibre ◽  
Human World ◽  
Sheep Production

Small ruminants have been one of the first domesticated species and from their origins have produced multiple benefits to humans. In the last two centuries, world sheep production has become more and more specialised upon geographical areas. But, recent changes in consumer attitudes, together with the increment in artificial fibre industries and human world population, some crisis related with the international wool market and some increments in lamb prices, have provoked that lamb meat has increased its relative importance inside the global sheep income. Also, sheep production systems vary considerably across the world, and reflect the different local environmental conditions, which determine, to a large extent, breeds, housing, levels of intensification and, at the end, local market requirements and qualities. However, among all the meats, sheep meat remains the most internationally traded (16 % of total world production is exported), which explains the potential existence of different lamb products in the same market. Then, the new requirements have created a higher interest for meat production, including its quality and quality marks. This interest from producers and the industry should be reflected in a proportional higher interest from the researches towards sheep and goat, where it exists, in general, important lacks of knowledge and, in particular, in lamb and kid meat Science. In the present speech we will made a special incidence on the relationship between carcass quality and lamb acceptability and on some factors like breed and species, diet and production system, slaughter weight and ageing time and their importance on the variation of the carcass and meat quality, including consumer acceptability.

scholarly journals Sensing solutions for improving the performance, health and wellbeing of small ruminants

2020 ◽  
Vol 87 (S1) ◽  
pp. 34-46
Author(s):  
Gerardo Caja ◽  
Andreia Castro-Costa ◽  
Ahmed A.K. Salama ◽  
Joan Oliver ◽  
Mario Baratta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Economic Barriers ◽  
Multiple Sensor ◽  
Large Animals ◽  
Research Initiatives

AbstractDiversity of production systems and specific socio-economic barriers are key reasons explaining why the implementation of new technologies in small ruminants, despite being needed and beneficial for farmers, is harder than in other livestock species. There are, however, helpful peculiarities where small ruminants are concerned: the compulsory use of electronic identification created a unique scenario in Europe in which all small ruminant breeding stock became searchable by appropriate sensing solutions, and the largest small ruminant population in the world is located in Asia, close to the areas producing new technologies. Notwithstanding, only a few research initiatives and literature reviews have addressed the development of new technologies in small ruminants. This Research Reflection focuses on small ruminants (with emphasis on dairy goats and sheep) and reviews in a non-exhaustive way the basic concepts, the currently available sensor solutions and the structure and elements needed for the implementation of sensor-based husbandry decision support. Finally, some examples of results obtained using several sensor solutions adapted from large animals or newly developed for small ruminants are discussed. Significant room for improvement is recognized and a large number of multiple-sensor solutions are expected to be developed in the relatively near future.

scholarly journals Nutritional management to improve sheep and goat performances in semiarid regions

2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (suppl spe) ◽  
pp. 337-347 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hichem Ben Salem
Keyword(s):  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Local Institutions ◽  
Feed Resources ◽  
Semiarid Regions ◽  
Livestock Sector ◽  
Rainfall Seasonality ◽  
Nutritional Deficits ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Arid And Semiarid

Small ruminant production is the main source of income of farmers living in arid and semiarid regions. Sheep and goats raised in these areas are generally confronted with severe nutritional deficits during food scarcity period which exacerbate disease and health problems and consequently low productive and reproductive performances. These areas are characterized by rainfall seasonality and scarcity resulting in a low fodder potential. Therefore, native rangelands are degrading due to overgrazing, high stocking rates and mismanagement. Options to improve small ruminant-based production systems include i) innovative technologies targeting the increase of feed resources availability, rumen manipulation using natural compounds to boost microbial activity, improving diets' quality, alleviation of feeding cost, and better control of livestock watering. Although this paper is focussing on the benefits from these technical options, we should bear in mind that i) the organization of local institutions for better adoption of these technologies and for protecting the main natural resources (rangelands and water) and ii) the participatory approach involving all partners concerned with the improvement of farmer's income and livelihood are key tools for promoting livestock sector in the target areas. A set of simple, inexpensive and environmentally friendly options that could ameliorate small ruminant production in the semiarid regions are discussed in this paper.

scholarly journals Assessment of water source availability and quality for small ruminant consumption in the Northern Badia region of Jordan

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1073-1082
Author(s):  
J. Al-Khaza'leh ◽  
A. Abdelqader ◽  
M. Abuajamieh ◽  
F. M. F. Hayajneh
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Water Quality Monitoring ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Study Region

Background and Aim: Water is the most important nutrient for the production of healthy livestock. Water scarcity bottlenecks livestock production in arid and semi-arid regions, particularly during the dry season. This study aimed to assess water availability and quality for small ruminants, and to identify major challenges of meeting their water requirements in two major small ruminant production systems in Jordan. Materials and Methods: Transhumant and sedentary production systems in the Northern Badia region of Jordan were the focus of this study. A questionnaire was distributed to 120 sheep and goat farmers (62 transhumant farmers and 58 sedentary farmers) and a water quality assessment was completed. Results: Results showed that the two production systems varied their water source use seasonally. Water provision was perceived as one of the major constraints for Bedouins, particularly during the dry season in transhumant production systems, when longer distances to water sources and the high costs of fetching water daily aggravated the problem. The mean distance and travel times to the boreholes were less in the sedentary system. Watering frequency was significantly lower in the transhumant system compared to the sedentary system (p<0.05). Although the values of water quality parameters complied with guidelines for livestock consumption, low water quality was the main concern expressed by some of the survey households. Conclusion: Technical support to properly design, manage, and rehabilitate surface water harvesting systems is required for the sustainable use of water resources in the study region. Moreover, systematic water quality monitoring is necessary to ensure its suitability for livestock use. Further investigations on the microbiological quality of water and its effect on the health and performance of livestock are recommended.

scholarly journals Economic Assessment of the Productive Parameters in Meat Sheep Production Using Discrete Event and Agent-Based Simulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 49
Author(s):  
Thayla Sara Soares Stivari Reijers ◽  
Gustavo Lineu Sartorello ◽  
Oscar Alejandro Ojeda-Rojas ◽  
Camila Raineri ◽  
Marcos Nogueira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Discrete Event ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Discrete Events ◽  
Agent Based Simulation ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Livestock Sector ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Economic Analyses ◽  
Meat Sheep

A hybrid stochastic model was developed including discrete events and agent-based simulations in order to identify the productive parameters and management criteria that most affect meat sheep production. A sheep herd on a pasture termination system, without weaning and with natural mating, was outlined. In order to devise this herd, a pre-existing database from between 1999 and 2013 was used. This conceptual model included the flushing, mating, gestation, lactation, termination and maintenance phases. Health, feeding and management criteria were also considered and recommended. Simulation scenarios were built which were later evaluated by regression analysis. The net operational margin was between R$ 11 741.80 and R$ 21 389.80, and an average of R$ 14 412.14 ± R$ 3 873.02 for different scenarios. Food costs had the greatest impact (25.4%) in relation to operating costs, while health costs were the lowest (1.3%). The abortion rate showed a higher linear response in contrast to the birth rate and the net operating margin, upon analysing ewe productivity parameters. However, neonatal mortality showed the greatest impact on net profit and on general lamb mortality. Carrying out economic analyses within the livestock sector can make a difference within such a competitive market, where prices are not controlled, only costs. The use of discrete event and agent-based simulation methodologies allowed for the assessment of different approaches to sheep production. The present study demonstrated the tool’s potential within the scope of meat sheep production, but this model can act as a guideline for other animal production systems.

scholarly journals Sustainability os small ruminant population on the Adja Plateau (South Benin)

1994 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-76
Author(s):  
A. Van Den Broek ◽  
I.T. Gbégo
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Feed Production ◽  
Animal Feeding ◽  
On Farm

Since 1986 the RAMR project (Recherche Appliquee en Milieu Reel) has conducted on-farm research on the Adja Plateau in Mono Province (South Benin). In this article, technical and socio-economic aspects of small ruminant production systems on the Adja Plateau are described. Monitoring of small ruminant flocks showed that about 25% of the small ruminants were sold annually. Export of nutrients as a result of the sale of animals (85 g N. 23 g P. 12 g K and 46 g Ca per hectare) was low compared with export through crop production. In-depth studies at village level showed that farmers mainly collected oil palm leaves, constituting 75% of the small ruminant rations, to feed their animals. Nutrients in collected oil palm leaves represented a substantial fraction (about 10%) of available nutrients in fields under oil palm. Proposals for future research on small ruminant production systems have to contribute to the sustainability of farming systems. Emphasis will be put on animal feeding and feed production integrating small ruminant and crop production.

SMALL RUMINANT PRODUCTION IN TWO MIXED-FARMING SYSTEMS OF SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA: STATUS AND PROSPECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT

2008 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 399-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. LEGESSE ◽  
G. ABEBE ◽  
M. SIEGMUND-SCHULTZE ◽  
A. VALLE ZÁRATE
Keyword(s):  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Cash Income ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Mixed Farming ◽  
Entry Points

SUMMARYSmall ruminants are an integral part of mixed-farming systems throughout southern Ethiopia. Yet, they have received little research attention or institutional support. Characterizing the existing small ruminant production systems and analysing their production constraints are important tools to diagnose the status and trends of the systems, and thus to identify areas for future interventions. A survey was conducted between April and July 2004 in the Adilo and Kofele areas of the southern mixed-farming systems of Ethiopia to explore reasons for keeping small ruminants and to evaluate the existing status of and the prospects for the small ruminant sector. Additional information was obtained during discussions with key informants who had experience of small ruminant keeping. Small ruminants fill several roles in the study area. However, the principal purpose of keeping sheep and goats was to generate cash income. Sheep milk consumption was widespread around Kofele unlike most agricultural systems in the country. Nearly all respondents in Adilo reported fattening their sheep before sale, while such a practice was uncommon in Kofele. Informal insurance schemes were evolving among the sheep keepers in Adilo, and these can be considered as entry points for future interventions. The common problem identified from both individual interviews and group discussions was feed shortage. The identification of alternative feed resources and strategic feeding management might be options for development. Small ruminant disease was the major constraint in Kofele, where marshy areas are increasingly assigned for grazing in the rainy season as suitable land is more and more used for cropping. The growing demand for meat from small ruminants, the improving transportation infrastructure and the experience of farmers in small ruminant keeping are providing opportunities to enhance the contribution of the sector. A thorough monitoring of the productive and economic performance of small ruminants is required to capture the full picture of their contribution thereby directing possible intervention areas to maximize benefits to the farmers.

scholarly journals The role of the European small ruminant dairy sector in stabilising global temperatures: lessons from GWP* warming-equivalent emission metrics

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Agustin del Prado ◽  
Pablo Manzano ◽  
Guillermo Pardo
Keyword(s):  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Dairy Goat ◽  
Emission Rates ◽  
Animal Products ◽  
Ghg Reduction ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
Climate Neutrality

Abstract Recent calls advocate that a huge reduction in the consumption of animal products (including dairy) is essential to mitigate climate change and stabilise global warming below the 1.5 and 2°C targets. The Paris Agreement states that to stabilise temperatures we must reach a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the second half of this century. Consequently, many countries have adopted overall GHG reduction targets (e.g. EU, at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990). However, using conventional metric-equivalent emissions (CO2-e GWP100) as the basis to account for emissions does not result in capturing the effect on atmospheric warming of changing emission rates from short-lived GHG (e.g. methane: CH4), which are the main source of GHG emissions by small ruminants. This shortcoming could be solved by using warming-equivalent emissions (CO2-we, GWP*), which can accurately link annual GHG emission rates to its warming effect in the atmosphere. In our study, using this GWP* methodology and different modelling approaches, we first examined the historical (1990–2018) contribution of European dairy small ruminant systems to additional atmosphere warming levels and then studied different emission target scenarios for 2100. These scenarios allow us to envision the necessary reduction of GHG emissions from Europe's dairy small ruminants to achieve a stable impact on global temperatures, i.e. to be climatically neutral. Our analysis showed that, using this type of approach, the whole European sheep and goat dairy sector seems not to have contributed to additional warming in the period 1990–2018. Considering each subsector separately, increases in dairy goat production has led to some level of additional warming into the atmosphere, but these have been compensated by larger emission reductions in the dairy sheep sector. The estimations of warming for future scenarios suggest that to achieve climate neutrality, understood as not adding additional warming to the atmosphere, modest GHG reductions of sheep and goat GHG would be required (e.g. via feed additives). This reduction would be even lower if potential soil organic carbon (SOC) from associated pastures is considered.

scholarly journals Worldwide Prevalence of Small Ruminant Lentiviruses in Sheep: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 784
Author(s):  
Ricardo de Miguel ◽  
Marta Arrieta ◽  
Ana Rodríguez-Largo ◽  
Irache Echeverría ◽  
Raúl Resendiz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Small Ruminant ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
Gold Standard Method ◽  
Small Ruminant Lentiviruses

Small Ruminant Lentiviruses (SRLV) are highly prevalent retroviruses with significant genetic diversity and antigenic heterogeneity that cause a progressive wasting disease of sheep called Maedi-visna. This work provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of the last 40 years (1981–2020) of scientific publications on SRLV individual and flock prevalence. Fifty-eight publications and 314 studies were included. Most articles used a single diagnostic test to estimate prevalence (77.6%), whereas articles using three or more tests were scarce (6.9%). Serological tests are more frequently used than direct methods and ELISA has progressively replaced AGID over the last decades. SRLV infection in sheep is widespread across the world, with Europe showing the highest individual prevalence (40.9%) and being the geographical area in which most studies have been performed. Africa, Asia, and North America show values between 16.7% to 21.8% at the individual level. South and Central America show the lowest individual SRLV prevalence (1.7%). There was a strong positive correlation between individual and flock prevalence (ρ = 0.728; p ≤ 0.001). Despite the global importance of small ruminants, the coverage of knowledge on SRLV prevalence is patchy and inconsistent. There is a lack of a gold standard method and a defined sampling strategy among countries and continents.

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