Appraisal of the conversion possibilities of pastoral meat sheep systems to the organic production model

In the Mediterranean Basin, sheep meat production systems are based on grazing, and help to conserve biodiversity, mitigate the greenhouse gases emissions and maintain the population in rural areas. However, the lack of differentiation of pastoral systems, as opposed to the intensive model, puts its continuity at risk. In this sense, organic farming can be an alternative to sustain extensive sheep-cereal production systems in marginal Mediterranean drylands. The aim of this research was to evaluate the conversion possibilities of pastoral meat sheep production systems to the organic production model in the Mediterranean Basin, working with the autochthonous Segureña breed sheep. 46 farms were studied, classified into four clusters by mean of multivariate analysis. In order to determine the degree to which farms approached the organic model, 60 variables, grouped into nine indicators were analyzed to obtain an Organic Conversion Index (OCI). The Nutritional management indicator has a high value of approaching the organic model, as well as Animal welfare and Food safety. Marketing and business management, Breeds and reproduction, Weed and pest control and Sustainable pasture management indicators also reach a good approximation level. Only the Breeds and reproduction indicator presented values with significant differences between clusters. The average value of the OCI for the 46 farms ranges from 63 to 70%, and therefore it can be concluded that extensive meat sheep herds in the region are close to this production model. Among the recommendations that can be made to improve the conversion possibilities to the organic model are: (i) to increase own fodder production or find a way to obtain it easily and economically; (ii) to complete the plant−soil−animal cycle, (iii) to seek greater marketing autonomy and (iv) to achieve closer contact with the final consumer. At the same time, government policy both in Spain and other parts of Europe should persevere to find more ways to support the progress of this type of production, in an effort to address limitations and overcome the lack of alternative markets.

Mastitis in meat sheep

Mastitis in meat sheep occurs in all flocks, but incidence can vary. It can be a severe disease, resulting in ewe deaths, but chronic and subclinical cases also occur. It is a costly disease, but accurate assesments of the impact, especially of chronic and subclinical disease, are lacking. The most commonly involved pathogens are Mannheimia haemolytica and Staphylococcus aureus. The most important risk factors relate to compromise of teat defences, and increased transmission, but environmental cases do occur. Treatment of acute clinical cases requires systemic antibiosis and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug administration, and, where required, supportive care. Prevention involves tackling the risk factors, and using vaccination and breeding to reduce ewe susceptibility.

EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS ON THE CHANGE OF THE PRODUCTION SPACE LAYOUT OF MUTTON SHEEP IN SOUTHWEST CHINA

This paper expounds the current situation of mutton sheep industry development in the dominant meat producing areas in southwest China by combing the existing literature, analyzes the characteristics and trends of mutton sheep yield variation in the dominant meat producing areas in southwest China, and analyzes the comparative advantages of meat sheep production in the dominant meat producing areas in Southwest China by using the comprehensive comparative Advantage Index (AAI). And the regression analysis was used to explore the factors affecting the mutton sheep production layout in southwest China, and it was concluded that the traffic, policy, economy and urbanization level had a very prominent influence on the mutton sheep production layout.

The effect of inbreeding on the growth ability of meat sheep breeds in the Czech Republic

The aim of this study was to present the trend of inbreeding and to estimate the effect of inbreeding on the growth ability of lambs in the three most common sire breeds in the Czech Republic: Suffolk (SF; n = 49 345), Charollais (CH; n = 14 189) and Texel (T; n = 10 481). The growth ability of lambs was evaluated between 2000 and 2019 based on the weight at 100 days of age. The average inbreeding coefficient for Suffolk, Charollais and Texel was 0.013, 0.012 and 0.011, respectively. The average number of known generations was 5.260 for Suffolk, 3.355 for Charollais and 3.709 for Texel. To evaluate growth ability, lambs were divided into four groups according to the inbreeding coefficient (F = 0.00, 0.00 < F ≤ 0.062 5, 0.062 5 < F ≤ 0.125, F > 0.125). The results of this study show the negative effect of inbreeding on the growth ability of lambs was significant (P < 0.05). The regression coefficients of the weight for Suffolk, Charollais and Texel lambs for a change of 1% in inbreeding were estimated to be –0.028, –0.053 and –0.048, respectively.