Small Ruminant Production Systems

1. Why systems a. Sheep & goats are part of complex agricultural systems b. Systems: Resource input Product output Operations (management etc) Interactions

2. Ag systems involving SR a. Animal based systems Animal component is majorAnimal component is major Minimal crop productionMinimal crop production Feed isFeed is grazing e.g. pastoral migration in low rainfall areas. b. Mixed crop & animals Sheep & goats essential Crop production feed. e.g. in medium rainfall areas. Mixed farms with sheep, goats and wheat overlap

c. Crop based Animal component is minor (draught, control weed) Crop production is major. Feed from crop residues.

2. Ag systems involving SR Based on input + management Based on management + feed resources major in semi-arid & arid regions Extensive Semi-intensive Intensive Sedentary Transhumant Nomadic e.g. small ruminant systems in Lebanon

Changes in number of animals and number of holders in the Bekaa, 1980 to 1991 Total number of animals Total number of holders % (+-) Goats Sheep Source: for 1980: Livestock census, OAP; for 1991: A.Baalbaki and K.Hamdan: socio-economic spot survey in the Bekaa, October, 1991 Note: the number of holders and the respective relative change refers to keepers of a specific breed or species. The actual number of holders should be less because the same farmer may hold different types of animals.

Regional distinction of livestock holdings, 1980 North Lebanon Mount Lebanon South Lebanon BekaaTotal Goats% Sheep% The actual number of holdings is unknown, because many holders may keep animals of different breeds and species.

Figure 1 Small Ruminants Flock Movement and Grazing Patterns in Beka’a

Production systems Semi-arid areas 1. Trends Slow growth in production of milk and red meatSlow growth in production of milk and red meat 50% self sufficiency in numbers of sheep and goats.50% self sufficiency in numbers of sheep and goats. a.Meat Consumption Production Imports Up 50 to 200%Up 20-50%100 to 200% (11 kg/p/year to 100 kg/p/year) b.Milk Consumption is low 50l/p/y Share sheep & goats 25% Imports 10%

Production systems Semi-arid areas 2. Constraints a.Technical Feed resources (aridity, WR) importation importation Health & management. b.Socio economic Marketing No credit- no extension Prices and subsidies Urban emigration

3. Improving the systems a. Pastoral systems. Very successful in the past Very successful in the past Decline in last 20 yearsDecline in last 20 yearsWhy: demand  increase in numbers  overgrazing demand  increase in numbers  overgrazing Water development  overgrazing Cultivation of marginal lands  overgrazing Breakdown of traditional grazing systems (Hema)

What can be done? Organize grazing rights Feed supply (water harvesting) Fattening operation Marketing facilities Involve the farmers

3. Improving the systems b. Semi intensive systems (arable lands) –Availability of feedstuffs  Crop rotations: cereal medics or vetch or forage production c. Intensive sheep production Feedlot fattening needs Ag byproducts Good marketing d. Systems for milk production if cheese industry

Breeding strategies Small ruminants in Arid areas 1. Local breeds are Adapted but low productivityAdapted but low productivity human population  off take of products human population  off take of products Is it feasible to change environmental constraints to allow genetic improvement while maintaining adaptability?Is it feasible to change environmental constraints to allow genetic improvement while maintaining adaptability?

2. E constraints 2.a. High T  reproductive performance  lamb survival b. Adapted animals have low RR and low RT c. Extensive systems: no influence on T d. Semi intensive- Intensive: shade

2.b. Feed scarcity –Extensive systems: Adaptation is essential Improvement limited to wool traits - Semi intensive & intensive systems. Genetic improvement may be feasible.

3. Methods of genetic improvement a. selection within local breeds. – – slow – – expensive b. Crossing regional breeds if breeds are available expensive acceptability by farmers & market c. Importation of exotic breeds adaptability

4. Increasing meat production –Fertility –Frequency of breeding –Prolificacy –Survival –Growth rate

5. Increasing milk production 6. Wool production 7. Fat tail

Milk production Sheep & goats 1. Significance Contribution to world milk is 3.4% (0.3-90%)Contribution to world milk is 3.4% (0.3-90%) 50% in SA and A areas50% in SA and A areas 2. Dairy systems Large extensive or semi intensive flocks Large specialized sedentary flocks Small holdings

To compete with cattle Intensive sheep-goat production market+ higher prices sufficient volumes of production to support processing & marketing overcome seasonal low milk production

3. Lactation characteristics – – not easy to define dairy breeds – – few breeds onlyhigh milk prod. good milk ability – –Sheep: Awassi- Chios- Chuno- East Friesian- Sardinian- Lacune.

Composition Goats Sheep DM% Fat Protein Lactose In intensive systems: no problems In intensive systems: no problems In extensive systems: problems in collection, hygiene & marketing. In extensive systems: problems in collection, hygiene & marketing.Solutions: –Collection units –Mobile cheese making

Goats: Alpine, Saanen, Muria, Shami –Lactation is seasonal If commercial  out of season breeding or processing to dairy products Duration of lactation: –Genetic factors –Feed supply –Good milking techniques

Lactation lengthMilk production Awassi Chios East Friesian Saanen Shami

4. Milking –Either after weaning or with nursing –Weaning  30% milk –Once a day is better –Milking machines & milking parlors: same as for cattle –In sheep: milk flow in 2 peaks – ewes/man/hour 5. Handling and marketing of milk.

Thank you

Small Ruminant Production (SRP) A tradition for the future

A Changing World for SRP Demographic explosion Demographic explosion Rapid urbanization Rapid urbanization Rising income Rising income Government interventions Government interventions

Priorities for R & D SRP x Environment Interactions SRP x Environment Interactions Productivity Productivity Sustainability Sustainability Policy background Policy background Drought mitigation strategies Drought mitigation strategies

CHALLENGE Balance SRP and Environment

Solid Tradition Adaptability Adaptability - at animal level - at animal level - at the system level - at the system level - at the socioeconomic level - at the socioeconomic level - at the policy level - at the policy level Sustainability Sustainability

Results Increase in demand Increase in demand Increase in sheep and goat number Increase in sheep and goat number Expansion of cultivation Expansion of cultivation Reduction in rangelands Reduction in rangelands * Imbalance between SRP and natural resources

Give The Future of SRP A Better Chance Framework for R & D A system approach A system approach Intersectorial linkages Intersectorial linkages Participatory approach Participatory approach