Search

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of four water salinity levels on productive performance, physiological and behavioral responses of confined sheep. Thus, 24 crossbred sheep, ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês were evaluated while receiving ration and water ad libitum. The experimental design was completely randomized, composed of four treatments (1.5; 3.0; 6.0 and 9.0 dSm-1) and six replicates. The water supply with salinity of up to 9.0 dSm-1 did not affect (P > 0.05) the physiological indexes, performance, or ingestive behavior of the animals, which were able to maintain normal physiological conditions even at times when the thermal comfort indexes were above the ideal. For voluntary water consumption, it was observed that there was a significant difference between treatments (P < 0.05), where animals consuming water with a conductivity of 1.5; 3.0 dSm-1 had lower consumption than those who received six dSm-1. The supply of water with a salinity of up to 9.0 dSm-1 did not affect the performance or the ingestive behavior of the animals, so waters with this salinity can be a valid alternative for crossbred sheep in the semi-arid region, as long as it is used seasonally and strategically.

This study aimed to evaluate the performance and carcass of lambs of different genotypes through univariate and multivariate analysis. Intact male lambs of the Berganes (BG), Berganes x Santa Ines (BSI), and Berganes x Dorper (BD) genotypes and the control group Dorper x Santa Ines (DSI) were used. Eight lambs of each genotype were used, aged between 4 and 5 months, with an average initial weight of 27.52 ± 3.79 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design. Data were tested by analyzing variance, followed by Tukey’s test and principal component analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA). Slaughter body and average daily gain were higher for BD and BG than BSI (P

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito do alho como anti-helmíntico em ovinos. A eficácia dos tratamentos foi calculada com base na redução de ovos por grama de fezes (OPG) e coprocultura. Foram conduzidos oito experimentos (En), quatro em condições de confinamento, ovelhas submetidas ao tratamento, repetido quatro (E1) e duas vezes (E2); o mesmo foi conduzido com cordeiros (E3-4) e quatro experimentos (E5-8) em pastagem natural. Foram utilizados ovinos mestiços, manejados em confinamento e alocados em três grupos: controle negativo, outro tratado com alho in natura (120 g/100 kg de peso corporal), administrado em intervalos regulares, quatro ou duas vezes (1º; 7°; 14° e 21º dia ou 1° e 14º dia). O mesmo foi realizado em condições de pastejo, mas com dois grupos: o controle e o tratado com extrato aquoso de alho. O mesmo foi realizado em condições de pastejo, mas com dois grupos: o controle e o tratado com extrato aquoso de alho. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições (ovelhas ou cordeiros). Amostras de fezes foram coletadas dia 0; 7; 14; 21 e 28. Os tratamentos constituídos por alho in natura e extrato de alho apresentaram redução do número de OPG de 55 e 72% em ovelhas e 68 e 76% em cordeiros confinados, respectivamente. Sob pastejo, a redução do número de OPG foi de 80 e 74%, respectivamente, para ovelhas e cordeiros tratados com extrato de alho. Valor aproximado foi observado entre grupos submetidos ao tratamento repetido (quatro ou duas vezes). Valores similares de gêneros larvais foram observados entre os tratamentos em ambas estratégias de manejo.

The article presents the results of studies of meat productivity of crossbred lambs ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer of the first generation and ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi (82.5%) of the blood volume of the Awassi breed. At the first stage were studied, the fattening qualities (growth and development of crossbred lambs and sheep and the second stage meat productivity of lambs carcass output and meat content. The studies were conducted on the first-generation of crossbred lambs and sheep, obtained from crossing ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer, on the farm of Experimental-Technological Station “Maksimovka” and at crossbreeding ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi, with blood share of Avassi breed 82.5% obtained on the farm “Tsurcanu Andrei”. The cultivation of local lambs, of both genotypes, was carried out by the traditional method for the conditions of the republic – sharing with the uterus from birth to beating. It is set the superiority of crossbred lambs ♀Karakul x ♂Avassi in comparison with peers ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer by live weight at birth by 0.72 kg, (P ≤ 0.01), when beating by 6.88 kg, (P ≤ 0,01 ), and at statement on experience by 3.92 kg or 14.9%. Also, for the 62 days of the experimental period (fattening), the gross weight gain at hybrids ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi) was higher by 3.0 kg (17.4%). The same tendency is and at sheep for live weight at birth, at beating and at the beginning of the experiment by 0.8 kg (18.1%), 3.1 kg (14.6%), and the live weight at the end of the experiment and gross weight gain is higher at sheep of ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer by 0.98 kg (3.9%) and 1.58 kg (4.2%) and 2.56 kg (23.0%). In accordance with the gender, the gross weight gain of the lambs is higher in accordance to the sheep in both variants. Thus, at the ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi crossbreed, the gross weight at labms is higher by 9.14 kg and in the ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer – by 13.68 kg. Calculated physique indices indicate that lambs ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer compared to their peers ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi stretchiness index is 5.55% more, transverse by 2.86%, massiveness by 11.0% and consistency by 3.62%, and the indices of the thoracic and bony, are lower by 0.88 and 1.77%, respectively. There are also a number of differences at sheep, but less in quantitative terms. At crossbred sheep of the ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer genotype, the stretch index is by 3.14% more, transverse by 0.28%, massiveness by 3.68%, and breast indexes, crush index and bony index are less respectively by 5.89% (P ≤ 0.05), 0.32% and 0.21%. According to meat qualities of crossbred sheep, at genotype ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer compared to ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi crossbred, the indices are better. The mass of double carcass is by 3.4 kg more (17.1%), the mass of chilled carcass is 3.23 kg (17.3%), slaughter weight by 3.29 kg (17.3%), respectively, and the amount of meat in the half carcass is 0.796 kg more, and as a result, the coefficient of meatiness is higher by 0.46 units. On the chemical composition of meat at lambs ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi and ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer there is no significant difference in indicators. At the same time, it is noted a slightly higher content of fat and protein in meat (average sample) of cross-bred lambs of the ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi genotype in relation to the same indicators of ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer hybrids. The carcasses received from the lambs of both groups were measured and the corresponding indices were calculated. The carcass indices characterizing the shape and reflecting their quality showed that the carcass index of the crossbred lambs of the ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer genotype was significantly higher by 5.05% (P ≤ 0,001) in relation to the indicator obtained from the cross ♀Karakul х ♂Avassi. A similar trend was noted in the ham index (higher by 0.27), in carcass compactness by 7.84%, in ham development by 6.64%, in chest depth by 2.41% (P ≤ 0.05) and proportionality of ham by 0.4%. An exception is the carcass uniformity index, which at crossbred lambs ♀Tsigay х ♂Bentheimer is less by 0.356%.

The relationship between body development and external measures in sheep could provide useful information to define the optimal slaughter time as well as the adequate nutritional management. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the morpho-functional diversity of Dorper sheep crossed with Brazilian native breeds using in vivo morphometric analysis. The animals evaluated were from crosses of Dorper with Morada Nova, Rabo Largo and Santa Ines sheeps. The animals were slaughtered at 120 and 240 days of age. Body and carcass measures, weight of meat cuts and growth were evaluated. The crossbred animals were analyzed by sex, totaling six treatments. A factorial analysis was performed using two sets of data: the in vivo morphometric measures, and all the other characteristics and these factors were used as new variables. The differences among treatments were analyzed using MANOVA and canonical analysis. The meat cuts, conformation, marketability adaptation, and early maturity of the animals slaughtered at 120 days, as well as the meat cuts, conformation, adaptation, early maturity, and hindquarter of the animals slaughtered at 240 days were evaluated. As regards body measurements, at both slaughter ages, the following factors were discriminated: height, robustness, length, and thoracic circumference. Animal slaughtered at 120 days of age showed greater differences whereas at 240 days the differences diminished allowing to individuate which treatments were more adaptive or productive. Crosses ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Ines (male and female), and ½ Dorper × ½ Rabo Largo male slaughtered at 240 days seem to show higher productivity and better marketability abilities. The other crosses tend to have a more rustic profile (less productive) and smaller size, reaching however adult size earlier and showing better adaptive characteristics, which allows to decide for slaughtering at younger ages.

The study aimed at evaluating the testicular structure and spermatogenesis of Santa Ines and Santa Ines and Dorper crossbred sheep. Sixteen testicles of the animals under study were used, in order to evaluate the volumetric proportion, the diameter of the tubules, the height of seminiferous epithelium, the frequency of stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle and the spermatogenic yield. The data were submitted to Student-Newman-Keulstestat 5% significance. The tubular diameter was 173.12 ± 29.09 μm and 185.71 ± 29.7 μm, and the height of the seminiferous epithelium was 52.29 ± 9.98 μm and 56.68 ± 11.25 μm, for the crossbred and the Santa Ines, respectively. There was no difference between the testicular compartments and the frequency of the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle between the groups. Santa Ines sheep presented a number of 15.36 ± 4.49 spermatocytes in the pre-leptotene/leptotene stage and 27.42 ± 6.65 spermatocytes in the pachytene, whereas the crossbred presented 13.18 ± 5.19 and 23.48 ± 7.80, respectively. The crossbred showed higher meiotic yield (3.98 ± 1.28) and spermatogenesis yield (3.71 ± 1.02). It is concluded there are differences in testicular morphology and spermatogenesis between Santa Ines sheep and crossbred Dorper/Santa Ines, indicating that the crossbreeding between the Santa Ines and Dorper animals allows a gain in the reproductive potential.

The effect of substituting soybean meal (SM) with four levels (0, 33, 67 and 100%) of detoxified castor cake (DCC) on intake, nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance was evaluated in uncastrated, male, crossbred sheep in a randomised complete block design with four treatments and five replications. There was a decreasing linear effect from the levels of substitution on dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) intake, total carbohydrates (TC), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and total digestible nutrients (TDN), and on DM, OM and TC digestibility, for reductions of 2.04, 1.70, 0.35, 1.56, 1.89 and 1.67 g dia-1 and 0.34, 0.53 and 0.51 g kg-1 DM respectively, for each 1% SM substituted with DCC. DMI and NDFap expressed, in %BW and g kg-0.75, showed a quadratic response, with a maximum value of 3.85 and 1.73%BW, and 95.15 and 42.47 g kg-0.75, for 25.00, 65.00, 20.75 and 61.50% SM substituted with DCC respectively. There was a linear increase in the intake of acid detergent fibre and in ether extract digestibility. The nitrogen balance was not affected by the substitution of SM with DCC. Substituting soybean meal with castor cake detoxified by autoclaving in lamb diets alters nutrient intake and digestibility without affecting the nitrogen balance. [Consumo, digestibilidade e balanço nitrogenado em ovinos alimentados com rações contendo torta de mamona destoxificada]. Resumo: Avaliou-se a influência de quatro níveis de substituição (0; 33; 67 e 100%) do farelo de soja (FS) pela torta de mamona destoxificada (TMD) em rações sobre o consumo, digestibilidade dos nutrientes e balanço de nitrogênio em ovinos mestiços, machos, não castrados em delineamento em blocos completos ao acaso com quatro tratamentos e cinco repetições. Observou-se efeito linear decrescente dos níveis de substituição do FS pela TMD sobre o consumo de matéria seca (MS), matéria orgânica (MO), proteína bruta (PB), carboidratos totais (CT), carboidratos não fibrosos (CNF), nutrientes digestíveis totais (NDT), digestibilidade da MS, MO e CT com reduções respectivas de 2,04; 1,70; 0,35; 1,56; 1,89 e 1,67 g dia-1 e 0,34; 0,53 e 0,51 g kg-1 de MS, para cada 1% de substituição do FS pela TMD. O CMS e FDNcp expressos em %PC e g kg-0,75 apresentaram resposta quadrática com valor máximo de 3,85 e 1,73%PC e 95,15 e 42,47 g kg-0,75 com 25,00; 65,00; 20,75 e 61,50% de substituição do FS pela TMD, respectivamente. Houve aumento linear no consumo de fibra em detergente ácido e digestibilidade do extrato etéreo. O balanço de nitrogênio não foi influenciado pela substituição do FS pela TMD. A substituição do farelo de soja pela torta de mamona destoxificada por autoclavagem na ração de cordeiros altera o consumo e digestibilidade dos nutrientes sem influenciar o balanço de nitrogênio. Made available in DSpace on 2020-02-10T18:10:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 cnpc2020Intake.pdf: 77668 bytes, checksum: 55d63683548921cf76894092cf1533f7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2020

The work consisted of the evaluation of photosensitization in sheep grazing signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) in a silvopastoral system or under full sunlight for 60 days in the summer. We hypothesized that shade provided by trees in the silvopastoral system prevents or alleviates the classic symptoms of photosensitization in grazing sheep and affects the concentration of the saponin protodioscin in signal grass. Twenty naive crossbred sheep (Dorper x Santa Ines) were used in a randomized block design, with two blocks and five animals per block. Animals in both silvopastoral and full sun treatments grazed B. decumbens, and animals in both treatments presented with clinical symptoms, alterations in the liver, and increased serum levels of gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin over the duration of the experiment. Although the protodioscin content of B. decumbens in the silvopastoral system was lower than in the full sun treatment, it was sufficient to cause secondary photosensitization in the animals. The natural shading provided by the silvopastoral system does not prevent or ameliorate photosensitization symptoms in young naive sheep grazing on B. decumbens.

Nutritional scarcity during summer and winter is a major constraint for sheep rearing in the semi-arid tropical region. In this region, a new crossbred sheep has been developed by the crossing of a native sheep breed Malpura with a breed of hot-humid coastal region breed Garole. A study was conducted for 9 weeks to assess the physiological response of crossbred (Garole x Malpura x Malpura, GMM) rams under nutritional scarcity in the semi-arid tropical region. Eighteen adult crossbred rams were randomly allocated into three groups of six animals each. The groups are G1 (control, ad libitum feeding), G2 (20% less than ad libitum feeding), and G3 (30% less than ad libitum feeding). The animals were stall-fed with a diet consisting of 70% roughage (Cenchrus ciliaris hay) and 30% concentrate feed. Body weight gain, average daily gain, and feed intake were significantly (P

A study was conducted to determine effect of supplementation with isonitrogenous level of concentrate mixture (CM; 33% noug seed cake (NSC) and 67% wheat bran (WB)), alfalfa, lablab, and Leucaena leucocephala (LL) on feed intake, digestibility, daily body weight gain (ADG) and net return of sheep kept on Rhodes grass hay (RGH) basal diet. Twenty four yearling male Dorper×Afar F1 crossbred sheep were used in completely randomized block design blocked by initial body weight into 6 blocks of 4 animals and allocated to one of the treatments. Treatments were RGH fed ad libitum to all treatments plus 300 g/day CM (T1), 286 g/day alfalfa hay (T2), 326 g/day lablab hay (T3) and 299 g/day LL hay (T4). The study contained 90 days feeding and 7 days digestibility trials. The CP, NDF and ADF contents of RGH was 11, 77 and 51%, respectively. The CP contents of NSC, WB, alfalfa, lablab and LL were 32, 17, 23, 20 and 22%, respectively. Among the supplements alfalfa and lablab had relatively higher NDF and ADF levels. Total DM intake differed among treatments and was greater (P T1 = T2 > T3 (P 0.05) with all other treatments. The apparent digestibility of CP was greater for T1 than T2 and T3, but values for T4 was similar with the other treatments (82.3, 78.7, 78.3 and 80.4 (SEM = 0.02) for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively). ADG was 65, 45, 40 and 69 g/day (SEM = 8.36) for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively and the values were greater (P 0.05). The net return in the currents study was 836, 797, 888 and 982 ETB. Thus, based on biological performance and net return, T4 and T1 outweighs other treatments. However, all supplements used in this study induced favorable ADG and thus can be employed in feeding systems depending on their availability and relative cost. Key words: Isonitrogenous, crossbred, digestibility, ADG, RGH, DM, SEM.

Background: Arman sheep breed was synthesized by crossing several breeds, including Baluchi, Ghezel, Chios, and Suffolk. Objective: To estimate the (co)variance components and genetic parameters using the restricted maximum likelihood via twelve animal models for lamb survival and four animal models for ewe productivity traits. Methods: Data and pedigree information were collected at Abbasabad Sheep Breeding Station, Khorasan Razavi province, north-east of Iran, from 1999 to 2011. The traits studied were lamb survival rate (LSR), litter size at birth (LSB), litter size at weaning (LSW), litter mean weight per lambing (LMWL), litter mean weight per lamb weaned (LMWLW), total litter weight at birth (TLWB), and total litter weight at weaning (TLWW). Moreover, multivariate analyses were performed to estimate covariance between the traits. Results: Direct heritability estimates (h2a) for LSR was 0.081 and increased to 0.253 after correcting. Maternal genetic effects (h2m) and common litter effects (l2) accounted for 4 and 11.3% of the phenotypic variance for LSR, respectively. The estimations of h2a were 0.131, 0.080, 0.111, 0.190, 0.118, and 0.150 for LSB, LSW, LMWL, LMWLW, TLWB, and TLWW, respectively. The estimated fractions of variance —attributed to permanent environmental effects on ewe, (pe2) were 0.038, 0.050, 0.071, 0.060, and 0.050 for LSB, LSW, LMWL, TLWB, and TLWW, respectively. Service sire effects (S2) were significant for LSW, LMWL, and TLWB, being 0.038, 0.030, and 0.049, respectively. Direct genetic correlations showed a vast range from 0.13 for LSB-LMWL to 0.91 for LMWL-TLWW. Conclusion: Results indicate that genetic change not only depends on the heritability of traits, but also on the observed phenotypic variation; therefore, improvement of non-genetic factors should be included in the breeding programs. Keywords: animal models, direct heritability, litter mean weight, litter size, maternal effects. Resumen Antecedentes: Las ovejas Arman fueron sintetizadas a traves del cruzamiento de varias razas, incluyendo Baluchi, Ghezel, Chios y Suffolk. Objetivo: Estimar los componentes de (co)varianza y parametros geneticos por maxima verosimilitud restringida a traves de doce modelos animales para la sobrevivencia de los corderos y cuatro modelos para caracteristicas de productividad. Metodos: Los datos y la informacion de pedigri se recogieron en la Estacion de Cria Abbasabad, provincia de Khorasan Razavi, noreste de Iran, entre 1999 y 2011. Las caracteristicas estudiadas fueron la tasa de supervivencia de los corderos (LSR), tamano de la camada al nacimiento (LSB), tamano de la camada al destete (LSW), peso promedio de la camada por parto (LMWL), peso promedio de la camada por cordero destetado (LMWLW), peso total de la camada al nacer (TLWB), y peso total de la camada al destete (TLWW). Ademas, se realizaron analisis multivariados para estimar la covarianza entre los rasgos. Resultados: La estimacion de heredabilidad directa (h2a) para LSR fue 0,081 y aumento a 0,253 despues de la correccion. Los efectos geneticos maternos (h2m) y los efectos comunes de la camada (l2) representaron el 4 y el 11,3% de la varianza fenotipica para LSR, respectuvamente. Las estimaciones de h2a fueron 0,131, 0,080, 0,111, 0,190, 0,118 y 0,150 para LSB, LSW, LMWL, LMWLW, TLWB y TLWW, respectivamente. Las fracciones estimadas de varianza —atribuidas a los efectos ambientales permanentes en las ovejas, (pe2) fueron 0,038, 0,050, 0,071, 0,060 y 0,050 para LSB, LSW, LMWL, TLWB y TLWW, respectivamente. Los efectos del servicio de carneros (S2) fueron significativos para LSW, LMWL y TLWB, siendo 0,038, 0,030 y 0,049, respectivamente. Las correlaciones geneticas directas mostraron un amplio rango de 0,13 para LSB-LMWL a 0,91 para LMWL-TLWW. Conclusion: Los resultados indicaron que el cambio genetico no solo depende de la heredabilidad de los caracteres, sino tambien de la variacion fenotipica observada; por lo tanto, el mejoramiento de los factores no geneticos debe ser incluido en las programas de mejora. Palabras clave: efectos maternos, heredabilidad directa, modelos animales, peso medio de la camada, tamano de la camada. Resumo Antecedentes: Arman ovelhas foi sintetizado pelo cruzamento de quatro racas incluindo Baluchi, Ghezel, Chios e Suffolk. Objetivo: Estimar os componentes de (co)variância e parâmetros geneticos por maxima verossimilhanca restrita atraves de doze modelos animais para a sobrevivencia dos cordeiros e quatro modelos animais para caracteristicas de produtividade. Metodos: Os dados e as informacoes de pedigree foram coletadas no Abbāsābād Estacao de Criacao, provincia de Khorasan Razavi, nordeste do Ira desde 1999 a 2011. As caracteristicas estudadas foram a taxa de sobrevivencia de cordeiro (LSR), tamanho de leitegada ao nascimento (LSB), tamanho de leitegada ao desmame (LSW), peso medio da leitegada por entrega (LMWL), peso medio da leitegada por cordeiro desmamado (LMWLW), o peso total da leitegada ao nascimento (TLWB) e peso total da leitegada ao desmame (TLWW). Alem disso, as analises multivariadas foram realizadas para estimar a covariância entre as caracteristicas. Resultados: As estimativas de herdabilidade direta (h2a) para LSR foi 0,081 e aumentada ate 0,253 apos correccao. Os efeitos geneticos maternos (h2m) e os efeitos comuns de leitegada (l2) representaram 4 e 11,3% da variância fenotipica de LSR, respectivamente. Estimativas de h2a foram 0,131, 0,080, 0,111, 0,190, 0,118 e 0,150 para a LSB, LSW, LMWL, LMWLW, TLWB e TLWW, respectivamente. As fraccoes de variância —atribuidos aos efeitos ambientais permanentes em ovelhas, (pe2) foram 0,038, 0,050, 0,071, 0,060 e 0,050 para a LSB, LSW, LMWL, TLWB e TLWW. Os efeitos de servico de carneiros (s2) foram significativos para LSW, LMWL e TLWB sendo 0,038, 0,030 e 0,049, respectivamente. As correlacoes geneticas diretas mostrou uma gama de 0,13-0,91 LSB-LMWL para LMWL-TLWW. Conclusao: Os resultados indicaram que a modificacao genetica nao so depende da hereditariedade de tracos, mas tambem da variacao fenotipica observada; portanto, a melhoria dos fatores nao-geneticos devem ser incluidos em nos programas de melhoramento. Palavras-chave: efeitos maternos, herdabilidade direta, modelos animais, peso medio da leitegada, tamanho de ninhada.

A questionnaire survey and focused group discussions were conducted to characterize sheep production systems and traditional breeding practices of Gumz sheep as an essential step for designing the Gumz sheep breed conservation and improvement programme. A total of 240 households were included in the study during the period of November 2016 to March 2016. Smallholder farmers kept sheep as a source of income, meat and wealth with an index value of 0.43, 0.19 and 0.15, respectively. Important purposes of large scale farmers for keeping sheep were source of cash income (0.57) and investment opportunity (0.22). Average sheep flock sizes were 17.25 ± 0.68 and 90.63 ± 5.38 at smallholder and large scale production systems, respectively. Smallholder sheep flocks’ composition was 7.47 ± 0.28 Gumz, 3.68 ± 0.25 Rutana and 4.52 ± 0.22 Rutana-Gumz crossbred sheep. The corresponding figures for large scale farms were 21.2 ± 1.4, 30.7 ± 1.69 and 24.7 ± 1.47 sheep. The average numbers of rams in the smallholder sheep flocks were 0.31 ± 0.04 Gumz, 0.39 ± 0.04 Rutana and 0.24 ± 0.03 crossbreds, respectively. The corresponding figures for large scale farms were 3.10 ± 0.13 Rutana and 0.90 ± 0.14 crossbreds. The Gumz sheep was large in number, but farmers prefer Rutana and its crosses than Gumz in both systems. Diseases, stock theft and labour shortage were reported as the main constraints of sheep production. Although the pure Gumz breed meets the multifaceted roles of sheep for the smallholder farmers, the Gumz sheep population was declining in number in the study area due to uncontrolled breeding with Rutana and high preference of farmers for crossbreds over Gumz sheep. It is observed that there is a risk of dilution and loss of genetic diversity of the Gumz sheep. Hence, we recommend designing of conservation-based breeding program to conserve the locally adapted Gumz breed as well as to improve sheep production and productivity in the area through rational utilization of all the three genotypes.

SUMMARY This studyaimed to assess the influence of three pre-grazing heights of Massai grass on the ingestive behavior of sheep under rotational stocking. Eighteen Dorper x nondescript crossbred sheep were used under rotational stocking on Massai grass at pre-grazing heights. The animal stocking was estimated to ensure a reduction of approximately 50% of the initial height. Behavior assessments were performed from 6 to 18 h at the entrance and exit of animals from paddocks. The longest activity was grazing, followed by rumination and other activities, and the period from 6 to 10 h showed the longest grazing.In the other periods, the animals in the 35-cm treatment grazed less when compared to those ofthe other treatments. Rumination in all treatments was more significant in the period from 14 to 18 h, but the animals in the 45-cm treatment spent more time doing this activity, which gave them a higher time of rumination of the food bolus, as well as ruminating chews. The bite rate was higher for the 25-cm treatment, followed by the 45 and 35-cm treatments, respectively.

The monitoring of a high fecundity ewe flock in the Te Anau basin demonstrates the process of improved feeding to improve lamb survival and growth to weaning. Feed budgeting was changed from traditional to tailored feed requirements based on measured ewe liveweight with wastage of 15% factored in. Feed allocation was changed from monthly to weekly increases during late pregnancy, and set stocking was delayed until the planned start of lambing. This increased late pregnancy feed allocation from 99 kg DM/ewe to 128 and 144 kg DM/ewe for twin and triplet bearing ewes, respectively. Ewe body condition score was maintained at between 3 and 3.5, with condition score loss between scanning and lambing being reduced to zero. Lamb survival and lamb liveweight gain to weaning increased in both twin and triplet bearing ewes. Pregnancy scanning increased from 200 to 222 lambs per 100 ewes, between 2007 and 2012, while lambing percentage (lambs weaned/ ewe mated) rose from 132% to 165%, with more ewes rearing lambs and rearing multiples. Lamb wastage declined from 37% in 2007 and 2008, to 25% in 2011 and 2012, though scanning percentage rose by 20%. Lamb weights increased from 27.5 to 36 kg/lamb at 100 days of age. The increase in the liveweight of lambs and ewes at weaning reduced the calculated feed requirements over summer and autumn, potentially releasing 70 to 110 kg DM/ewe to provide feed to meet the extra winter feed requirements. Keywords: ewe body condition score, feed allocation, lamb survival, lamb weaning weight

The purpose of the survey was to determine a bond between certain factors that affect most of the production traits in crossbreeds between Awassi and Ovchepolian indigenous sheep in Macedonia. We implemented 1145 individual lactation controls in two years of production (2012 and 2013). The impact of individual factors is studied using F-test and the analyses are made using SPSS set of programs. Many factors (lactation, lambing month and number of milk controls) had highly significant impact (P (lt) 0.001) on daily milk production (morning, evening and total milk, fat percentage and fat kg) in this breed of sheep. Only fertility had no impact on any of the examined factors, with the exception of total daily milk, on which manifested with highly significant impact (P (lt) 0.01). The average milk yield in examined crossbred sheep was 109 ± 0.479 l in two years of production, while the production of milked milk was 72 ± 0.421 l for the same period of time. The length of lactation period in these sheep was average 203 ± 0.61 days, for two analysed years. In relation to the age, in second lactation sheep was determined somewhat higher daily milk yield (0.478 ±0.01 l.), compared to sheep in first lactation (0.475 ± 0.01 l.). This is quite logical, keeping in mind the lactation curve in sheep, especially those of dairy breeds to which Awassi breed belongs. Cilj ovih istraživanja, bio je da se utvrdi veza između nekih faktora koji imaju uticaj na proizvodna svojstva kod meleza između rase Awassi i autohtone ovčepoljske ovce u Makedoniji. Uključili smo ukupno 1145 individualnih laktacijskih kontrola, u toku dve proizvodne godine (2012 i 2013). Uticaj posebnih faktora ispitivan je pomoću F-testa, dok su analize dobijenih podatka urađene pomoću programskog paketa SPSS. Veći broj faktora (laktacija, mesec jagnjenja i broj kontrole mlečnosti) imali su visoko značajan uticaj (P (lt) 0.001) na dnevnu proizvodnju mleka (jutarnje, večernje i ukupno mleko, % mlečne masti i kg mlečne masti). Jedino plodnost nije imala nikakav uticaj na ispitivane faktore, osim na ukupnu dnevnu produkciju mleka, gde je manifestovan visoko značajan uticaj (P (lt) 0.01). Prosečna laktacijska mlečnost kod ispitivanih meleza, bila je 109 ±0.479 l za dve proizvodne godine, dok je proizvodnja muznog mleka u istom periodu bila 72 ± 0,421 l. Dužina laktacijskog perioda u toku dve ispitivane godine u proseku je bila 203 ± 0,61 dana. U odnosu na uzrast, kod meleza u drugoj laktaciji je utvrđena nešto veća dnevna mlečnost (0.478 ±0.01 l.) u poređenju sa melezima u prvoj laktaciji (0.475 ± 0.01 l.). Ovo je sasvim logično imajući u vidu laktacijske krive kod ovce, posebno kod mlečne rase, gde pripada i Awassi rasa.

This study set out to define the energy and protein requirements for maintenance and lactation of Dorper☓Hu crossbred lactating ewes. Eighteen ewes of similar weight (53.37 ± 1.18 kg) were randomly divided into three groups after parturition: ad libitum (AL), IR70 % (intake restricted to 70 % of AL), and IR50 % groups (intake restricted to 50 % of AL). Energy, nitrogen, and carbon balance were calculated by determining the carbon or nitrogen content of orts, feces, urine, milk, CH4, and CO2 samples in digestibility and respiratory trials. Maintenance requirements of net energy [NEm; 257.04 ± 1.15, 252.35 ± 1.08, 244.34 ± 1.15 kJ/kg body weight (BW)0.75/day]; metabolizable energy (MEm; 353.29 ± 3.27, 352.16 ± 3.54, 354.97 ± 2.67 kJ/kg BW0.75/day); net nitrogen (NNm; 326 ± 110, 306 ± 81, 285 ± 77 mg/kg BW0.75/day); and net protein (NPm; 2.03 ± 0.17, 1.91 ± 0.28, 1.78 ± 0.28 g/kg BW0.75/day) were observed on 20th, 50th and 80th day of lactation. Compared with these results, the Wood’s model showed adequate estimates of peak yield (0.88 vs. 0.87 kg/day), but an overestimation of milk yield either side of the peak, and an underestimation of the timing of peak yield compared with the observed milk curve in the current study (4th vs. 3rd week of lactation, respectively). The corresponding NE requirements for lactation (NEL; MJ/kg milk) linearly increased with progressing lactation and were scaled from 3.76 to 4.19 (MJ/kg milk). Additionally, milk yield varied from 1–3 kg daily, and, from 20th to 80th day of lactation, the daily metabolizable protein (MP) requirement for lactation ranged from 141.14–283.43 g/day. The combined results suggest that the estimated MP and ME requirements for lactating Dorper and Hu crossbred sheep fell between the NRC recommendations for lactating ewes suckling a singleton and twin lambs.

There is an increasing economic pressure in sheep production. Hence, it is imperative to use all available tools contributing to improvements in lamb survival. In this regard, there is a lack of studies addressing the impact of maternal body condition traits on lamb performances during lactation. Specifically, the focus of the present study was to analyse associations between ewe traits reflecting maternal energy metabolism and lamb body weight (LBW), separately in a low and in a high input production system. The dataset considered 199 Merinoland- (ML) and 45 Rhonsheep (RH) ewes from the high input production system (> 33% concentrates in the ration), as well as 47 Coburger Fuchssheep (CF), 78 RH and eight crossbred (CB) ewes from the low input production system ( 100 kg EBW were 1.41 kg heavier at weaning than lambs from ML ewes 3 mm had significantly greater 12 W W (2.63 kg, P

This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dietary urea in sheep rations having a 50:50 concentrate:roughage ratio. Sixty-four Dorper × thin-tailed Han crossbred ram lambs with an average body weight of 30.8 (±0.02) kg were randomly divided into four groups of 16 sheep each, and each group was fed one of the following diets: a basal diet (CON), or CON supplemented with 0.5% (0.5UTM), 1.5% (1.5UTM) or 2.5% (2.5UTM) urea. Growth performance, carcass characteristics, non-carcass offals, meat quality and peptic tissue lesions were assayed. The average daily weight gains for CON, 0.5UTM, 1.5UTM and 2.5UTM were 216, 218, 200 and 170 g, respectively, with the CON and 0.5UTM groups higher than 2.5UTM group (p 0.05). Sheep from the 2.5UTM treatment had a significantly lower dry matter intake (1.29 kg/day) than those from the CON and 0.5UTM treatments (1.42 and 1.43 kg/day, p 0.05), and the feed conversion ratio in the 2.5UTM group was the highest (p 0.05). Carcass characteristics, including shrunk body weight, empty body weight, hot carcass weight, dress percentage, and the absolute or relative weight (% body weight) of heart, liver, spleen, lung and kidney, were not altered by the treatments (p 0.05). The muscular pH of 2.5UTM was higher than that of CON (5.68 vs. 5.52, p 0.05), and shear force in 0.5UTM was lower compared with CON and 2.5UTM (p 0.05). The anatomical structure lesions in kidneys became more serious with the increasing dietary urea concentrations, with the 2.5UTM animals showing the most severe lesions compared with CON animals. Therefore, supplementary urea as a non-protein nitrogen source for sheep should not exceed 1.5% of ration having a 50:50 concentrate:roughage ratio to ensure efficacy and safety.

This study aimed to evaluate the reproductive performance of crossbred sheep (New Address) nulliparous, primiparous and pluriparous, subjected or not to the male effect. There were used 79 ewes and two rams (one vasectomised ram – teaser ram) and a breeder). In the first year, the females were subjected to the male effect (ME: male effect), in the following year, there has been no application of this method (AME: absence of male effect). Ewes subjected to ME showed a higher synchronization (P

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of calcium lignosulfonate associated with whole cottonseed in high-concentrate diets for sheep. Eight Dorper crossbred sheep with an average live weight of 42.5 ± 1.70 kg were assigned to two 4 × 4 Latin squares. The following experimental diets were evaluated: control diet (without calcium lignosulfonate) and diets with inclusion of 50, 100, and 150 g of calcium lignosulfonate/kg fresh matter. Diets were composed of soybean meal, ground corn, and whole cottonseed. Feed intake, digestibility, metabolic characteristics, and feeding behavior were evaluated. The intake of nutritional components did not show significant differences as a function of the lignosulfonate levels in the diet; however, the increase in calcium lignosulfonate levels linearly decreased the dry matter digestibility. Rumen ammonia nitrogen concentrations decreased linearly as the lignosulfonate levels in the diets were increased. There was no effect of lignosulfonate levels on blood parameters or feeding behavior of the animals. The use of lignosulfonate associated with cottonseed decreases the digestibility of dry matter and the concentration of rumen ammonia nitrogen, but does not change the intake of nutritional components, the blood parameters, or the feeding behavior of sheep.

Mohammed N, Alemayehu K, Getachew T. 2017. On-farm phenotypic characterization of indigenous sheep population and its cross with awassi in selected Districts of South Wollo, Amhara, Ethiopia. Trop Drylands 1: 1-12. This study aimed at investigating the phenotypic diversity of indigenous sheep breeds in selected districts of south Wollo highlands and to assess the effect of crossbreeding of Wollo sheep with Awassi on growth and morphological characters under stallholder management of eastern Amhara, Ethiopia. Three districts were selected purposely based on their sheep flock size, sheep production potential and their contribution to the farmers. Body weight and linear body measurements were taken from 525 mature indigenous sheep and Local x Awassi crossbred. Body weight and most of the linear body measurements of indigenous sheep population were significantly affected by the district. Crossbred had significantly higher body weight and body measurements than indigenous sheep in Legambo district. Sex had significant effect on body weight, wither height and rump height for Awassi crossbred. Body weight and all linear body measurements were significantly influenced by age group. Sex and age group interaction significantly affected body weight and most linear measurements of indigenous sheep, and significantly affected wither height and rump height of local x Awassi crossbred. There was a positive and strong correlation between body weight and chest girth of indigenous female sheep as well as between rump height, body length, chest girth, wither height and body weight of indigenous male sheep. Positive and strong correlation between body weight and chest girth was observed for Awassi crossbred female. Chest girth and body length for indigenous and local x Awassi crossbred sheep could be used for the prediction of body weight. The body weight of local x Awassi crossbred (28.75±0.49 kg) was higher than the indigenous sheep (22.19±0.41 kg) in Legambo district. As the conclusion indigenous sheep has potential for improving livelihood and economy of smallholder farmers using crossbred in the study areas.

En la zona tropical de Colombia, la nutrición constituye el factor de mayor influencia en procesos productivos y reproductivos de rumiantes, por lo tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el efecto de la edad de corte de botón de oro Tithonia diversifolia, (Td) y el grado de maduración de su ensilaje sobre la calidad nutricional y digestibilidad in vivo en ovinos criollos de pelo, como suplemento de una dieta base de king grass (PP) (Pennisetum purpureum). Se realizó una poda de nivelación, luego tres cortes: 45, 60 y 75 días, los ensilajes se mezclaron melaza 25%: ensilaje de Td (ETd) 75%. Para la digestibilidad se emplearon nueve ovinos con peso promedio 30kg ± 5kg, a los que se les suministró PP a voluntad y 400 gramos de materia seca (MS) de ETd. Las dietas y excretas fueron evaluadas en laboratorio de Nutrición. Se usó un diseño completamente al azar, de nueve tratamientos que conciernen a los tres cortes y tres tiempos de maduración del ETd: 30, 45 y 60 días, con tres repeticiones. Cuando fue realizado el trabajo de campo y de laboratorio los valores de la calidad nutricional del ensilaje, fueron en promedio: MS (21,7%), proteína (12%), y contenidos de fibra detergente neutro (FDN) por debajo de 40%. Las digestibilidades aparente de MS (DAMS) fueron superior al 60% con un promedio 68,5% ± 5,5. Referente a la digestibilidad de la proteína cruda (DPC), esta se ve afectada conforme incrementa el tiempo de corte, pero un mayor tiempo de maduración del ETd mantienen o incrementa su digestibilidad, resultando en promedio: 62,3% ± 9,9. In the tropical zone of Colombia, nutrition is the most influential factor of productive and reproductive processes of ruminant, therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of cut age of Tithonia diversifolia (Td) and the degree of maturity of silage on the nutritional quality and digestibility in vivo in crossbred sheep hair as a supplement to a basal diet of King grass (Pennisetum purpureum) (PP). Leveling pruning was done after three cuts: 45, 60 and 75 days, 25% silages were mixed: 75% molasses (TdS). For digestibility nine sheep were used with average weight 30 kg ± 5kg, were fed adlibitum and PP 400 g dry matter (DM) of TdS. Diets and excreta were evaluated in laboratory Nutrition. Completely randomized design, nine treatments concerning the three cuts and three maturation TdS was used: 30, 45 and 60 days, with three replications. When conducted fieldwork and laboratory values of the nutritional quality of silage were on average: MS (21.7%), protein (12%), and content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) below 40 %. Apparent digestibility of DM (DAMS) was higher than 60% with an average 68.5 ± 5.5%. Regarding the digestibility of crude protein (CPD), as this is affected increases cutting time, but a longer maturation TdS maintain or increase its digestibility, resulting in average: 62.3 ± 9.9%.

The aim of this research was to evaluate heat tolerance of thirty crossbred sheep (Santa Ines with Dorper) with white and black coat under heat stress. The experiment was conducted in September and October of 2012 and a completely randomized design was used. Before and after one hour exposure to solar radiation (14h00 - 15h00), rectal temperature, respiratory rate and surface temperature of the animals were measured. The Black Globe Temperature Humidity Index, the Heat Tolerance Index and the Heat Tolerance Coefficient were calculated. The values found for the Black Globe Temperature Humidity Index in the sun and in the shade were 89.08 and 82.81 respectively. Animals coat coloring did not influence on their rectal temperature and there was no difference on the heat tolerance index. It was verified the effect of coat coloring on the respiratory rate in dark colored hair coat sheep (P < 0.05) and the effect of the environment and coat coloring on the surface temperature and on the heat tolerance coefficient under the sun. Dark colored hair coat sheep presented lower heat tolerance.

Now, image processing is a better technique than the subjectively assessments for linear scoring of morphologic traits, especially in fattailed ewe?s. The objective of this study was to assess this application in animal characterization on a case study in order to comparing of, udder morphological characteristics in two Iranian crossbred sheep populations including Ghezel-Arkhamerino (GH-MR; 25 ewes), Moghani-Arkharmerino (MG-MR; 25 ewes) and a pure one that was Ghezel ewes (20 ewes). Ten udder factors and five milk traits were measured on seventy ewes during three stages of lactation. Digital pictures were analyzed by Digimizer 3.6 software. Statistical analysis of udder liner scores was performed by using the MIXED procedure of SAS 9.1 software. Results showed that long udders were more frequent in the Ghezel ewes than in crossbred?s ewes. Least variation was observed for teat placement score in Ghezel purebred ewes. The means of udder depth in the Ghezel ewes were larger than in the crossbreds (P

The objective of the study was to evaluate the pre-weaning growth performance of Farta, Washera, and their cross-sheep lambs. The study was conducted in Farta and Lay Gayint districts of the Amhara National Regional State. The data were collected from November 2016 to May 2017. A total of 132 sheep, i.e., 82 Farta, 20 Washera, and 30 Washera-Farta crossbred, were selected using purposive sampling technique to assess their pre-weaning growth performance. Growth data was analyzed using SAS Version 9.1.3. (SAS, 2008). Mean birth weight (± SE in kg) was 2.7±0.30 for Farta, 3.1±0.14 for Washera, and 2.9±0.08 for Washera-Farta crossbred lambs. Weaning weights were 10.9±0.30 kg for Farta, 13.1±0.50 kg for Washera, and 12.2±1.1 kg for Washera-Farta crossbreds. Daily weight gain calculated from birth to 30 days was 89.4±6.44 g for Farta, 119.4±23.53 g for Washera and 111.4±10.46 g for Washera-Farta crossbreds. Weight gain from birth to 90 days was 88.8±3.21 g, 103.2±11.75 g, and 111.9±5.22 g, respectively. Washera breed was significantly heavier at birth and at weaning age, followed by crossbred lambs. Crossbred lambs were not significantly bigger than Farta lambs. This means crossing the two breeds did not have advantage and selection breeding of Farta sheep by itself will be adequate.

In eight Australian Merino and crossbred sheep flocks, all lamb deaths were recorded, together with the corresponding weather before and after each case. Deaths on the day of birth were not strongly associated with a high chill index, but deaths in the following 3 days were significantly increased by a high chill index in the period between birth and the relevant day. Losses were greater for multiple-born lambs than singles under all conditions, but there was not a significant interaction of chill index with multiple births. A model is given for the risk of loss of lambs after birth, on the basis of birthweight, sex of the lamb, multiple birth and chill index for the ewe before birth and the lamb after birth. However, some of this information is not available until after the lamb is born, so a model is also given using only information available shortly before birth, namely, the expected chill index and whether pregnancy scanning has identified single or multiple lambs.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between microbial N (MN) yield and urinary excretion of purine derivatives (PD) from the rumen in Dorper × thin-tailed Han crossbred sheep. Twelve Dorper × thin-tailed Han crossbred, non-castrated male lambs (41.3 ± 2.8 kg body weight) fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulae were randomly assigned to one of three levels of DM intake: ad libitum intake, 70%, or 50% of the ad libitum intake, with four lambs at each level. The MN yield from the rumen was measured using 15N or purine bases (PB) as a microbial marker, and urinary PD were determined by colorimetric methods. Microbial components (OM, N, PB and ratio of PB to N) were not affected (P > 0.05) by dietary treatment. The MN yield measured using PB was slightly lesser and more variable than using 15N. No difference in MN yield was found between markers. The efficiency of MN synthesis (g N/kg organic matter apparently digested in the rumen) was not affected (P > 0.05) by feed intake regardless of the marker used. Urinary PD decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with decreasing level of feed intake and the molar recovery of duodenal PB measured with digesta markers as urinary PD was 0.83 (r2 = 0.89, P < 0.001). Urinary PD excretion was linearly correlated with DOMI (r2 = 0.94, P < 0.001), and MN yield estimated by using either 15N or PB (r2 = 0.91 and 0.80, respectively, P < 0.001). These results suggest that urinary PD excretion is an accurate indicator of MN synthesized in the rumen, and an equation, MN (g/d) = 0.030 + 0.741 × PD (mmol/d), is proposed to predict the MN yield from the rumen of Chinese sheep.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar el semen de individuos ovinos criollos colombianos de pelo en la granja de la Universidad de Sucre. El estudio se llevó a cabo en la granja “El Perico” de la Universidad de Sucre, a 50 msnm, clima cálido seco y con formación vegetal de bosque seco tropical. Se utilizaron cuatro ovinos criollos adultos, no emparentados, los cuales fueron colectados cuatro veces a intervalos de cinco días, mediante la técnica de electroeyaculación y se evaluaron las características seminales macroscópicas y microscópicas. Se encontró que el color predominante es el blanco mate (66,7%) seguido del blanco brillante (33,3%) (p

This study evaluated the effects of varying amounts of melon with high sugar content offered to sheep without prior melon experience and that were not adapted to consuming it. We used 12 eight-month-old, rumen-cannulated crossbred sheep weighing 25 kg each. The animals received a base diet of roughage, and then half were randomly selected to have 25% of their diet replaced with melon (G25%) and the other half had 75% of their diet replaced with melon (75%). Ruminal fluid was collected before administration of melon and at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after the administration of the fruit. Sheep from the G25% group presented volatile fatty acid ruminal acidosis (sub-acute) between 3 and 6 h after consumption. This acidosis was characterized by a rumen pH slightly lower than 5.6, increased discrete L-lactic acid content, and increased redox potential (RP) and methylene blue redox (MBR) time of the ruminal fluid. The G75% group presented lactic ruminal acidosis at T6h, characterized by a rumen pH lower than 5.0, high lactate-L content, increased RP and MBR time, and increased ruminal fluid osmolarity. Therefore, offering large amounts of melon (75% of dry matter (DM)) is not recommended but 25% of DM of this fruit can be used safely.

This study aimed to determine the energy requirements of Dorper crossbred sheep that have been used for meat production in China. Thirty-five 1/2 Dorper×1/2 thin-tailed Han crossbred noncastrated ram lambs [34.1±0.6 kg body weight (BW)] were used in a comparative slaughter trial. Seven ram lambs were randomly selected as the baseline group and slaughtered at 35 kg BW. The remaining 28 lambs were randomly divided into four groups of seven lambs each. Three of the four groups were fed a mixed diet either for ad libitum intake, 60% or 45% of the ad libitum intake. The three groups were slaughtered when the ram lambs that were fed ad libitum reached 50 kg BW. The ram lambs from the fourth group were also fed ad libitum as an intermediate group and slaughtered at 43 kg BW. Total body energy, nitrogen, fat, ash, and moisture content were measured. In a digestibility trial, another 15 ram lambs (41.3±0.8 kg BW) were housed in metabolism cages to estimate the metabolizable energy (ME) value of the diet at the three levels of feed intake. The daily net energy (NE) requirement for maintenance was 263 kJ/kg 0.75 of BW or 278 kJ/kg 0.75 of shrunk BW (SBW), with a partial efficiency of ME utilization for maintenance of 0.69. The NE requirement for growth ranged from 1.12 to 5.31 MJ/d for daily gains of 100–400 g BW, or from 1.29 to 6.18 MJ/d for daily gains of 100–400 g SBW. The partial efficiency of ME utilization for growth was 0.46. The energy requirements of Dorper×thin-tailed Han crossbred ram lambs were lower than those recommended by the British or American nutritional systems.

The objective of this study was to evaluate increasing inclusions of soybean molasses on feed intake and rumen fermentation parameters of crossbred sheep. Nine crossbred ruminally cannulated male sheep (71.1 ± 12.8 kg BW) were distributed in a triple Latin square 3 × 3 design. Treatments consisted of isonitrogenous (18.5% CP) and isoenergetic (2.7 Kcal ME/kg) diets, containing 0, 10 or 20% SM (DM basis). Before subsequent feeding, samples of orts were collected to monitor daily intake. After 14-d adaptation period rumen fluid samples were collected in each experimental period, at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h after feeding, to measure pH, and evaluate NH(3)-N and VFA concentrations. The pH was measured immediately after rumen fluid sampling, and NH(3)-N concentrations was determined using a micro-Kjeldhal apparatus. The concentration of VFA was determined by gas chromatography. Data were evaluated with a Mixed procedure of SAS, with repeated measures over time. Orthogonal contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of SM inclusions, as well as the contrast Control × SM treatments. There was no interaction of time of sampling × treatment for all variables evaluated (P > 0.05). The increasing inclusion of SM did not alter the feed intake and ruminal parameters of feedlot sheep (P > 0.05). In average, the DM, NDF and CP intakes were, respectively, 1.32, 0.434 and 0.235 kg/d. The average values of pH and concentrations of NH(3)-N, acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric and valeric acids were, respectively, 6.1, 13.0 mg/dL, 33.4 mM/L, 16.7 mM/L, 6.5 mM/L, 0.9 mM/L, 1.0 mM/L and 0.6 mM/L. The results indicate that the inclusion of soybean molasses at up to 20% (DM basis) in the diets for feedlot crossbred sheep does not affect the feed intake and ruminal parameters.

In eight well-managed Australian Merino and crossbred sheep flocks the adult ewes were monitored frequently for flystrike. Occurrences of flystrike and severity of strike scores were recorded, whereas bodyweights and condition scores were recorded regularly across two wool production and reproduction cycles. In these unmulesed flocks, 17% of Merino and 5% of crossbred ewes were struck, with 2% of those struck dead within 7 days of detection of the strike. For those adult ewes that survived the immediate period of the strike, the rate of loss over the following year was slightly greater than for ewes that were never struck, particularly for those with a high severity strike. Flystrike also contributed to losses of up to 2.7 (Merino ewes) and 5.2 (crossbred ewes) kg of bodyweight, and 0.3 condition score units at the time of the strike. Bodyweights were still 2 kg lower by 3 months after the strike occurred for Merinos, although condition scores returned to average levels. For ewes struck between mating and lambing, flystrike was associated with significant losses of lambs. Flystrike at severity level 1 (light) had only minor effects on wool production, but severity score 3 (heavy) reduced clean fleece weight.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of crossbred groups and anatomical muscle positions on the chemical composition and fatty acid profiles in the loin (M. longissimus dorsi) and chump (M. semimembranosus) muscles of the short-haired and long-haired crossbred sheep. Five sheep per group with the 25 kg initial body weight were fed with 2 kg/d TMR and free choice grass (Brachiaria mutica), and those were raised 84 days. After slaughter, loin and chump were used to examine the chemical composition and fatty acid profiles. The results showed that the loin from the short-haired and long-haired crossbreds had Palmitic acid at the highest level among the other saturated fatty acid (SFA), whereas this fatty acid was not detected in the chump. However, the highest SFA in the chump of both crossbreds was the Stearic acid. Furthermore, the fatty acids in both groups were detected in the chump more than in the loin. There was found that the nutritional values were not affected by sheep crossbred groups (P>0.05). The loin and chump had affected the percentage of crude protein (P0.05).

Many consumers perceive lamb meat from mountain pastures to be of superior quality, a quality that may be altered if lambs are kept for a longer period on cultivated pastures before slaughtering. The objective of this experiment was to compare sensory profile and fatty acid composition in meat from lambs slaughtered directly from unimproved mountain pastures with meat from lambs raised on unimproved mountain pastures and fattened on biodiverse cultivated pastures for 26, 39 and 42days before slaughtering. The experiment was conducted at two different locations in Norway in 2006 and 2007, with a total of 124 Norwegian Crossbred Sheep lambs. Loin samples of M. Longissimus dorsi from lambs above a body weight of 40kg were selected and analysed for sensory attributes. Fatty acid composition was determined in the subcutaneous fat over the Longissimus dorsi. Small but significant differences were found in hardness, tenderness, fattiness, metallic and rancid flavour, and in polyunsaturated fatty acids. This indicates that to a small extent pre-slaughter fattening on cultivated pastures alters meat characteristics.

The goal of the present work was to analyze the Brody, Von Bertalanffy, Richards, Logistic and Gompertz functions in order to describe the growth in crossbred sheep Dorper × Morada Nova (DMN), Dorper × Rabo Largo (DRL) and Dorper × Santa Ines (DSI). After defining the best adjusted model, the absolute growth rate was calculated and the influence of both environmental and genetic features on curve parameters was evaluated. The data were based on 156 F1 animals (36 DMN, 61 DRL and 59 DSI), weighed quarterly from birth up to 210 days of age. Both Gompertz and Logistic functions presented the best adjustment, being the latter slightly superior. The mature weight was statistically similar among the three genetic groups. However, the DSI group presented a faster growth during the pre-weaning period, with a remarkable fall from the inflection point on. The weight gain within such group was lower to those from DRL and DMN groups from 150 days of age on. Only the birth month has significantly influenced the asymptotic weight (A). The growth rate (k) was affected by birth month, type of parturition, sex, genetic group and parturition type vs. genetic group interaction. The estimated correlation between the parameters A and k were negative (−0.58 for DMN, −0.39 for DSI and −0.38 for DRL), indicating that more precocious animals are less likely to reach higher weights when adults.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of FecB genotypes on body weight, average daily gain (ADG), ewe's productivity efficiency (EPE) and litter size in FecB introgressed GarolexMalpura (GM) crossbred sheep. A total of 235 GM lambs were selected randomly and screened for FecB mutation using forced RFLP-PCR. The majority (69.8%) of GM individuals were carriers (BB and B+) for the FecB mutation and frequency of the FecB allele was about 0.40. The FecB genotypes were significantly (P0.01) associated with the lamb's body weights from birth to 12 months of age. The generation wise (F(1), F(2) and F(3)), lamb's body weight did not differ significantly at birth, 6 and 12 months of the age, while it differed significantly (P0.05) at 3 and 9 months of age. The ADG1 (0-3 months) was significantly associated (P0.05), but not the ADG2 (3-6 months) and ADG3 (6-12 months) between genotypes. Type of birth and sex significantly (P0.01) affected the body weight from birth to 12 months of age; and body weight of single born lambs was significantly higher (P0.01) than that of twins and triplets from birth to 12 months of age. Type of birth significantly (P0.01) affected the ADG1, but had no significant effect on ADG2 and ADG3. Year of birth did not affect the birth and weaning weights, but it significantly affected (P0.01) the body weight and ADG's after weaning ages. The EPE was affected significantly (P0.01) by the FecB genotypes at birth, 3 and 12 months of age. The EPE of B+ and BB ewes were 7.86 kg (36.9%) and 2.32 kg (10.9%) higher as compared to ++ ewes at 12 months of age, respectively. The mean litter size of BB ewes (2.17+/-0.24) was significantly higher (P0.01) than that of B+ ewes (1.73+/-0.04) and ++ ewes (1.03+/-0.23). The present study indicated that the body weight and ADG of carrier lambs (BB and B+) was comparatively lower than that of non-carriers (++), while EPE of B+ ewes was comparatively higher than that of BB and ++ ewes. Further, it is interesting to note that heterozygous and homozygous state of individuals increased 0.70 and 1.14 extra lambs as compared to non-carriers (++), respectively.

Effects of genetic and environmental factors on pre-weaning and post-weaning growth were studied in West African crossbred sheep. Effects of lamb genotype (7/8 Sahelian–1/8 Djallonke, 3/4 Sahelian–1/4 Djallonke and 1/2 Sahelian–1/2 Djallonke; hereafter denoted 7/8Sa, 3/4Sa and 1/2Sa, respectively), parity, type of birth, sex of lamb and year-season of lambing on birth weight, weaning weight, 8-month weight and pre- and post-weaning growth rates were determined. At birth 7/8Sa and 3/4Sa lambs were heavier (p < 0.01) than 1/2Sa lambs. Lambs born to first-parity ewes were lighter (p < 0.01) at birth than lambs of older ewes. At weaning and 8 months of age, lambs born to fourth-parity ewes were heavier (p < 0.05) than those born to ewes of the other parities. Parity did not have any significant effects on pre-weaning growth rate. Lambs born in the rainy season of 2001 were significantly heavier at birth and at 8 months of age than those born in the dry season of 2001/02, but there was no difference between the two groups at weaning. Pre-weaning growth rate was significantly faster in lambs born in the dry season of 2001/02 but the reverse was true for post-weaning growth rate.

Data spread over 11 years (1986-1996) pertaining to a synthetic population developed by inter se mating of half-breds of Corriedale and Russian Merino with Nali maintained at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar were utilized for the estimation of genetic parameters for growth traits. The means for birth weight (BWT), weaning weight (WWT), six month body weight (SWT), yearling weight (YWT), preweaning daily gain (PRW) and post weaning daily gain (POW) were 3.35 kg, 10.79 kg, 13.28 kg, 18.96 kg, 82.6 gm and 27.6 gm, respectively. The effects of year and season of birth and sex of lamb were significant for all the traits under study except the effect of season of birth for WWT, SWT and PRW. No definite trend was observed over the years for the averages of body weight and gain. Lambs born during the spring season performed better for BWT, WWT and PRW while the performance of lambs born during autumn was better for the other traits included in the study. The male lambs were heavier than the females for body weight at all stages and gain in weight. The heritability estimates for WWT and PRW were low; for BWT and SWT were moderate and for YWT and POW were high. Birth weight had high heritability and high genetic correlations with subsequent body weights and gains but due to the presence of a maternal effect on BWT and WWT, a sequential selection procedure is recommended for the improvement of growth rate in sheep.

Carrying multiple foetuses leads to a decline in lamb birth weight. The rate of litter size-dependent birth weight decline (LSDBD) in a population can be obtained by calculating the linear relationship between the reciprocal of lamb's birth weight and the respective litter size. Based on published data on lamb birth weight and by using the reciprocal approach, LSDBD rate was calculated for 70 purebred and crossbred sheep populations in which birth weight of lambs born as singles ranged from 1·3 to 6·3 kg. High variability in LSDBD was found. Both genetic and environmental factors may contribute to the variability of this trait.

Meat from lambs raised on mountain pastures without any supplementary feeding or treatment is often considered to be of superior quality. Hence, the objective of this study was to compare the quality of meat from lambs grazing on unimproved mountain range (1000 m above sea level) with meat from lambs grazing on cultivated lowland pastures. The experiment was undertaken in Hardanger on the Western Coast of Norway with 150 Norwegian Crossbred Sheep (Norsk Kvitsau) randomly allocated to “Lowland” and “Mountain” groups. Twenty lambs from each group were selected for final evaluation. Slaughtering and grading were performed at a commercial slaughterhouse. Thereafter, loin samples of M. longissimus dorsi were analyzed for sensory traits and other meat quality. For further comparisons, loin samples were also taken from lambs slaughtered at two other locations in Norway. Significant differences between the groups were found in grading, fat content and fatty acid composition, meat colour, and meat flavour. Differences in sensory traits were in general small and most likely not noticed by the consumer. Still the results suggest that meat from lambs raised in extensive systems on mountain range has certain qualities that might be used in promotion of local and regional products.

An experiment was designed to evaluate the effects of five sire breeds (Dorset, Finnsheep, Romanov, Texel, and Montadale), two dam breeds (Composite III [CIII] and northwestern whiteface [WF]), and three shearing seasons (December, February, and April, corresponding to August, October, and December breeding seasons) and their interactions on wool and other characteristics of F1 ewes. Fleeces were collected and characterized from six 2-yr-old F1 ewes representing each of the 90 sire breed x dam breed x shearing season x year (three) subclasses. Characteristics measured objectively were grease and clean fleece weights, clean yield, mean fiber diameter and SD, and mean staple length and SD. Visual assessments of fleece color were also made. Data collected on the F1 ewes were analyzed using a mixed model analysis of variance procedure. The model included fixed effects of year of birth, sire breed, dam breed, shearing season, six two-way interactions, and the three-way interaction of sire breed x dam breed x shearing season. The random effect of individual sire within year of birth x sire breed was also fitted. Texel- and Montadale-sired ewes produced more clean wool (P < 0.05) (approximately 0.24 kg) than Dorset-, Finnsheep-, and Romanov-sired ewes. Texel-sired ewes produced the coarsest wool (28.7 microm) (P < 0.05), whereas Romanov-sired ewes produced the finest (24.9 microm) and longest (9.12 cm) fleeces (P < 0.05). Ewes from WF dams produced more and finer wool (0.15 kg and 2.7 microm) than ewes from CIII dams (P < 0.001). Ewes shorn in December produced more, coarser, and longer wool (P < 0.05) than those shorn in February and April. This trend in wool production is opposite to that in conception rate (reported previously). Romanov-sired ewes produced the lowest percentage of white fleeces (62.6%), whereas Dorset-sired ewes produced the most (P < 0.001) white fleeces (96.3%). Estimates of heritability were calculated for grease and clean fleece weights (0.36), percentage of clean yield (0.31), average fiber diameter and SD (0.86 and 0.42, respectively), and average staple length and SD (0.49 and 0.00, respectively). Although necessary for a thorough evaluation of these 10 types of crossbred ewes, it is estimated that wool income would only constitute a small portion (1 to 5%) of overall income from sheep of this type.

Summary Data for birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW) and pre-weaning average daily body weight gain (ADG) of seven different genotypes of lambs (pure Awassi (A), n = 80, pure local (L), n = 3300, lambs with 10 to 50 – 75% A × L n = 904) were used to estimate genetic parameters. Fixed effects included in the model were genotype (with or without), type of birth, sex, season × year of birth combination. All fixed effects were significant. (Co)variance component estimates were obtained from bivariate animal model analysis including maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects. Direct additive (co)variances and correlations among the traits were positive. Genetic antagonism existed between direct and maternal effects for all traits. Direct heritabilities (h) for BW, WW and ADG were 0.39, 0.33 and 0.25 (with genotype) and 0.28, 0.31 and 0.25 (without genotype). The corresponding maternal heritabilities (h) were 0.13, 0.18 and 0.19 and 0.19, 0.18 and 0.18, respectively. Both, maternal genetic and maternal permanent environmental effects were important. Zusammenfassung Schatzung genetischer Parameter fur Geburtsgewicht, Absetzgewicht und tagliche Zunahmen fur rein gezuchtete und gekreuzte Schafe in Athiopien Fur sieben verschiedene Genotypen von athiopischen Schafen (reine Awassi (A), n = 80, reine lokale Rasse (L), n = 3300, Lammer mit Genanteilen von 10 bis 50% A × L n = 137, genau 50% A × L n = 1142, 50–75% A × L n = 273, genau 75% A × L n = 800, und mehr als 75% A × L n = 904) wurden genetische Parameter fur die Merkmale Geburtsgewicht (BW), Absetzgewicht (WW) und durchschnittliche tagliche Zunahmen bis zum Absetzen (ADG) geschatzt. Im Modell wurden die fixen Effekte Genotyp (mit und ohne), Geburtstyp, Geschlecht und Saison × Geburtsjahr berucksichtigt. Alle fixen Effekte waren signifikant. Varianzkomponenten wurden auf Basis eines Tiermodells geschatzt, wobei auch der genetische maternale und der maternale permanente Umwelteinfluss berucksichtigt wurden. Die genetischen Korrelationen zwischen den direkten und maternalen Effekten waren fur alle drei Merkmale negativ. Die Heritabilitaten fur den direkten Effekt von BW, WW und ADG lagen bei 0.39, 0.33 und 0.25 (mit Berucksichtigung des Genotyps) bzw. bei 0.28, 0.31 und 0.25 (ohne Berucksichtigung des Genotyps). Die dazugehorigen maternalen Heritabilitaten betrugen 0.13, 0.18 und 0.19 bzw. 0.19, 0.18 und 0.18. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass sowohl der maternale als auch der permanente Umwelteffekt von Bedeutung sind.

Twenty mid side wool samples of crossbred sheep were collected and their characteristics were determined. Data analyzed by SAS software and Duncan’s multiple range tests was used for comparison of mean wool characteristics. Average fleece weight, yield, wool diameter, Fine fiber and staple length were: 431.59 ± 38.95 gr, 65.14%, 14.24 ± 0.67 μm, 48.67 ± 5.59, and 43.65 ± 4.15 mm respectively. Mean fleece weight was significantly affected (p 1 and F2 generation 11.84 ± 0.58, 16.27 ± 0.72 μm respectively. There were effective differences among ages (12.55 ± 0.74, 14.47 ± 0.58 and 13.11 ± 0.64 μm for 1, 2 and 3 yr old respectively). Wool diameter of younger animals, males and F1 was so fine (12.55, 12.87 and 11.84 μm respectively). Staple length of F2 crosses was significantly longer than F1 crosses (p 1 was significantly finer than F2, but length and down fiber percentage was less than second generation. As wild sheep shed his fiber in winter, the first filial crosses also shed their fibers from the end of winter to early spring. Shedding was seldom observed in F2 generations. It seems likely that wool from crossbred sheep could be used for those applications for which cashmere is suitable. This study indicates that, such crossbred sheep have a superfine wool and could be used in pure or blend for textile industry.

Thirty-four non-pregnant 2-year-old ewes (17 Chokla (native) and 17 Avivastra (67.5% Chokla and 32.5% Rambouillet), of similar body weight, were maintained under the same management conditions with 8 hours daily grazing in an area with bushes, trees and miscellaneous other forage. The periods of active grazing, resting, resting while standing and lying, ruminating while standing or lying, walking time while grazing and bites per minute were recorded. The resting time differed significantly between the breeds, except in the winter. Both breeds spent more time standing during the summer and least during the spring. The crossbred animals spent more time lying in all the seasons except in the rainy season and almost the same pattern was observed for rumination time. A higher bite rate occurred in the crossbred ewes during the rainy and winter seasons, this being three times more than that for the native ewes.

This study aim to evaluate the effectiveness of moxidectin (cydectin), ivermectin (Neomec), doramectin (dectomax) and fenbendazole (Panacur) against gastrointestinal nematodes in naturally infected sheep at central sheep breeding farm, Hisar, Haryana. The study includes 50 crossbred sheep divided randomly into five groups (group A, B, C, D and E) of 10 animal in each. Group A, B and C were treated with moxidectin, ivermectin, doramectin (@10 mg/kg BW) and group D with fenbendazole (@5 mg/kg BW) and group E served as the untreated control. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated through determination of epg, body weight gain/loss and Hb concentration. Fecal, body weight and blood were collected before treatment on day 0, and on 7, 14 and 21 day post-treatment. The results showed that the fecal egg count reduction percentage in group A, B, C, D compared to control were 100, 90, 100 and 80 respectively on 21 day post treatment. The body weight of the treated group A, B, C sheep were slightly increased on 21 day post treatment but the differences was non-significantly (P

The effect of phenobarbitone against signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens) toxicity was studied in 26 male crossbred sheep. Grazing on signal grass significantly decreased the concentration of cytochrome P-450 and the activity of drug metabolizing enzymes, viz. aminopyrine-N-demethylase, aniline-4-hydroxylase, UDP- glucuronyltransferase and glutathione-S-transferase in liver and kidneys of affected sheep. Oral administration of phenobarbitone (30 mg/kg body weight) for five consecutive days before grazing on B. decumbens pasture, and thereafter, for three consecutive days every two weeks, resulted in significant increases in hepatic and renal activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes. The induction of drug metabolizing activity in sheep grazing on signal grass group was found to be lower than in animals given phenobarbitone alone. Induction by phenobarbitone provided a degree of protection against the toxic effects of B. decumbens as indicated by the delay in the appearance of signs of toxicity. Furthermore, these were much milder compared to those in the sheep not treated with phenobarbitone. The present study suggests that phenobarbitone-type cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme-induction may increase resistance against signal grass (B. decumbens) toxicity in sheep.

The aim of this study was to evaluate performance and economic viability of producing sheep fed different levels of roughage, concentrate, and water. Forty Santa Inês crossbred sheep with an average initial weight of 18.85 ± 2.80 kg and an average age of 5.0 ± 2.0 months were distributed in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement composed of two proportions of roughage and concentrate (30:70 and 70:30) and two levels of water supply (ad libitum, and 50% restriction), with 10 replicates. Water restriction had a negative effect (P0.05) feed conversion or feed conversion. Total weight gain, average daily gain, feed conversion, and feed efficiency were influenced by the proportions of roughage and concentrate. In conclusion, the diet with 70% roughage, associated with a water restriction of 50%, reduced the uptake of energy and protein, compromising the animal performance. The combination of the diet plus concentrate and water restricted to 50% of the free consumption provides a better cost-benefit ratio.

Heritabilities (h2) and genetic correlations (rc) involving body weights, measures of testes size and ewe lamb reproduction were calculated using 953 spring-born lambs produced during formation of a three-breed composite population containing 0·50 Dorset, 0·25 Rambouillet and 0·25 Finnish Landrace breeding. The h2of body weight ranged from 0·2 to 0·3 between 45 and 150 days of age, but increased to 0·41 at the start of breeding of ewe lambs at about 6 months of age. Additive maternal effects were not important, perhaps because intensive housing encouraged cross-suckling. Testes size was measured as scrotal circumference (SC), SC with linear adjustment for weight (SCW) and SC divided by the one-third power of body weight (RSC). The h2of SC traits was highest at 90 days (0·52 for SC, 0·62 for RSC and 0·57 for SCW), and h2for age at maximum SC growth rate (i.e. TI, the inflexion point of a logistic SC growth curve) was 0·49. The h2of ewe lamb fertility in autumn was 0·09 but the h2for frequency of remating the following spring was 0·41. The h2for ewe lamb litter size in these data was zero. At 90 days, rcbetween alternative measures of testes size exceeded 0·86; rGwith body weight were 0·67 for SC, 0·53 for RSC and –0·74 for TI. The rGwith ewe lamb fertility for 90-day weight, SC, RSC and SCW and for TI were –0·25, 0·20, 0·25, 0·38 and –0·32, respectively. The rcfor these traits with spring remating were 0·34, 0·34, 0·26, 0·10 and –0·48, respectively.