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Introduction: Fine wool production is an important source of revenue, accounting for up to 13% of total revenue in extensively managed wool sheep production systems of the United States. The Rambouillet are a predominant breed that excels in wool quality characteristics. Understanding the genetic basis of wool quality characteristics would aid in the development of genomic breeding strategies to facilitate genetic improvement. Methods: Wool characteristics and DNA were collected for rams enrolled in the North Dakota State University and University of Wyoming annual central performance ram tests over a three-year period (2019-2021, N = 313). The relationships of wool quality characteristics including grease fleece weight adjusted 365 days (wt. 365 adj.), clean fleece wt. 365 adj., staple length 365 adj., average fiber diameter, face wool cover, amount of skin wrinkles and belly wool were evaluated through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), Pearson correlation and ANOVA. Results: The GWAS identified four genome-wide significant genetic markers (p-value <1.19e-06) and five chromosome-wide significant markers (p-value <1.13e-05) on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 15, and 19. Significant markers were associated with genes notable for relevant wool biological functions, including the gene ABCC8 which codes for SUR1, an ATP-sensitive potassium channel known to affect hair growth and 60S ribosomal protein L17-like, previously found to be expressed during follicle formation. The strongest Pearson correlation coefficients were identified between clean fleece wt. 365 adj. and grease fleece wt. 365 adj. (r = 0.83) and between clean fleece wt. 365 adj. and staple length 365 adj. (r = 0.53). Additionally, clean fleecewt. 365 adj. was correlated with final body weight (r = 0.35) and scrotal circumference (r = 0.16). Staple length 365 adj. (p-value = 5e-04), average fiber diameter (p-value = .0053) and clean fleece wt. 365 adj. (p-value = .014) were significantly associated with belly wool score. Discussion: The results of this study provide important insight into the relationships between wool quality characteristics and report specific markers that Rambouillet sheep producers may use to help inform selection and breeding decisions for improved wool quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assessed newborn lambs from two hair-coat sheep breeds, the black Santa Ines (n = 29) and white Dorper (n = 26), to determine how they behaviourally and physiologically respond to the prevailing thermal conditions in an equatorial semi-arid environment. Measurements of hair-coat surface temperature, rectal temperature and the lambs' exposure to sun were recorded across the first 24 h of life every hour, after the lambs had received colostrum. Lambs and ewes were kept in a lambing pen and could freely move between a shaded area or be exposed to sun. During the study period, the air temperature ranged between 20 ºC and 34 ºC. When exposed to sun, lambs and ewes could experience as much as 1200 W m-2 of solar irradiance. Santa Ines lambs exhibited higher (highest density interval at 95%, HDI) hair-coat surface temperatures than did Dorper lambs. Overall, both Santa Ines and Dorper lambs sustained homeothermy, with a mean rectal temperature ranging from 38.7 ºC to 39.1 ºC between night and daytime phase, and a mean amplitude of ~ 0.8 ºC. Nevertheless, from 10:00 to 15:00, some lambs were found to be moderately hyperthermic. Five Santa Ines and three Dorper lambs had rectal temperatures above 40 ºC, and one Santa Ines lamb, while exposed to sun, had a rectal temperature of 41.3 ºC. Over this time period, lambs were more likely to move to shade (HDI at 95%). From 00:00 to 06:00, despite the air temperature being lower than the hair-coat surface, favouring high rates of sensible heat loss to the environment, no lamb exhibited signs of hypothermia (rectal temperature < 37.5 ºC). In conclusion, haired newborn lambs coped well with high levels of radiant heat during the daytime and lower temperatures at night. However, providing access to shade during the daytime is important to improve the welfare of newborn lambs delivered in equatorial semi-arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing sheep using native grass or crop byproducts has been commonly practiced by farmers in East Java, Indonesia. Better growth rates can be achieved when protein and energy sources are combined in the ration. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding cassava peel silage (CPS) and different protein sources on the growth of sheep fed a maize stover-based diet. Twentyfour growing sheep aged 8-10 months and weighing 17.24 ± 1.87 kg were used, and they were kept in individual cages that allowed the measurements of feed intake, feces, and urine secreted per animal. The treatments applied were T1: rice bran (0.75% BW)+Urea (2% CPS); T2: (50% rice bran + 50% copra meal in 1.5% BW); T3: cassava leaf hay (1% BW); and T4: sunflower leaf hay (1% BW). All treatments provided maize stover (MS) at 0.5% of body weight and CPS ad libitum. The variables measured were nutrient intake and digestibility, rumen fermentation, and live weight gain (LWG). The results revealed that the treatments had a significant increase (p<0.01) in the digestibility of CP, EE, CF, NDF, and ADF and reduced the amount of methane gas (CH4). Additionally, the treatments had a significant increase (p<0.01) in some variables such as N retention, LWG, and reduced FCR. Furthermore, the treatments significantly increased (p<0.05) NH3, propionic acid, and the C2/C3 ratio, but they did not have a significant effect on pH, acetic acid, or butyric acid content. In summary, the T3 treatment improved live weight gain (LWG) and decreased the feed conversion ratio (FCR) in thintailed sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Determination of nutrient requirements in sheep is essential to generate appropriate recommendations for dietary formulation, promoting sustainable systems. However, there is limited information regarding the energy and protein requirements of growing lambs in the Colombian highlands. Twenty-two growing lambs were enrolled in this experiment. Four lambs were slaughtered at the beginning of the experiment to determine the lambs' energy and protein baseline concentration. The remaining lambs received different amounts of feed and were slaughtered to determine the energy and protein accumulation during the evaluation period. The maintenance energy was 82.3 kcal/kg BW0.75, while maintenance and gain energy efficiencies were 0.72 and 0.29, respectively. In addition, the crude protein requirement for maintenance was 1.78 g/kg BW0.75, and the nitrogen efficiency for maintenance and gain protein was 0.41 and 0.27, respectively. The maintenance requirement of energy was greater, while protein was similar to values reported in the literature; however, the efficiency of energy and protein use was lower in growing lambs. These results suggested that estimating energy and nitrogen requirements for growing lambs must be adjusted in Colombian highland conditions. Determining the nutritional requirements of lambs is necessary to formulate balanced rations and contribute to sustainable sheep production systems. However, limited information is available regarding the nutritional requirements of growing lambs in the Colombian highlands. Twenty-two Romney Marsh males were used. Initially, four lambs were slaughtered at 20 kg body weight (BW). The remaining 18 lambs were distributed into two groups, according to BW (light: 20 BW and heavy: 30 kg BW). Lambs were randomly allocated into one of three different nutritional schemes, according to voluntary intake (no restriction, and 25 and 50% restriction). All the animals received a totally mixed ration. When a voluntary-fed lamb gained 10 kg BW, the two other lambs restricted to 25 and 50% were slaughtered and dissected into components to determine protein and gross energy concentration. Energy and protein accumulation were analyzed through regression analysis. The net energy for maintenance was 82.3 kcal/kg BW0.75, while the energy efficiencies for maintenance and gain were 0.72 and 0.29, respectively. Crude protein for maintenance was 1.78 g/kg BW0.75, and the nitrogen efficiencies for maintenance and gain were 0.41 and 0.27, respectively. The maintenance requirement of energy was greater, while protein was similarly related to values reported in the literature; however, the efficiency of energy and protein use was lower in growing lambs. These results suggested that estimating energy and nitrogen requirements for growing lambs must be adjusted in Colombian highland conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a corrigendum for an article titled "Genetic association of wool quality characteristics in United States Rambouillet sheep." The corrigendum addresses errors in the results, discussion, Table 5, and Figure 6 of the original article. The corrections include changes to sentences and the inclusion or removal of transcription factors in the analysis. The authors apologize for the errors but state that they do not affect the scientific conclusions of the article. [Extracted from the article]

Awassi is a fat-tailed sheep breed, and the best breed in Syria is famous. Awassi sheep are Syria's main source of red meat and milk production. In this study, we estimated the influence of various factors on sheep meat and milk production using time-series data from 1961 to 2020. This study employed the Cobb-Douglas production function to analyze the data. The results obtained indicate that Awassi meat production in Syria was positively and significantly influenced by carcass weight (p

Objective: To identify the typology and describe the sheep farmers benefited by the Programa para el Mejoramiento de la Producción y Productividad Indígena (PROIN: Program for the Improvement of Indigenous Production and Productivity) of the Instituto Nacional de Pueblos Indígenas (INPI: National Institute for Indigenous Peoples), in Campeche. Design/Methodology/Approach: One-hundred ninety-nine sheep farmers registered as beneficiaries in the Program were interviewed. They belonged to 27 sheep farms (SF), located in seven municipalities. A questionnaire including socioeconomic and technical questions and 15 quantitative and qualitative variables was conducted. Variables were correlated and a principal components analysis was carried out to define types of farms. The variables that explained the highest variability in the data set were number of sheep, number of sheep sold per year, annual income from sheep sales, productive purpose of the sheep farming, and feeding system. These variables were then used to perform a cluster analysis in order to identify and cluster the sheep farms. Results: Three groups of farmers were identified: Conventional (C, 74%) with 70 sheep and annual sales for $10,109.00; Transitional (T, 15%) with 169 sheep and annual sales for $36,680.00; and those in business (B, 11%) with 142 sheep and annual sales for $48,443.00. All the producers (100%) carry out extensive grazing. The breeds used by C and T are Pelibuey × Black Belly (78%), while B uses Pelibuey × Kathadin (21.7%). Study Limitations/Implications: Implemented support strategies must differentiate according to the type of farm. Findings/Conclusions: Three types of sheep farmers were identified: Conventional, Transitional, and Enterprise. Farmer types were differentiated by the number of sheep, sales, income, sheep production system, and feeding system they use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farm-level benchmarking and comparative analysis provide a basis for orientation on national, regional and global level. In the agri benchmark global network, we compare beef and sheep farms (as well as other branches) from more than 30 countries. In a partnership approach with researchers, producers and local experts, we collect and validated farm-level data using a standard operating procedure and a farm-level simulation model. In cow-calf farms, winter housing is associated with higher live weight production. Profitability is mainly driven by weaner prices and their variation and to a lesser extent by costs. In the EU, government payments play a crucial role in determining profitability. In sheep farming, performance and economic framework conditions differ across production systems and countries. Sheep profitability shows large variations with higher profits being achieved outside of Europe. The global outlook for beef and sheep production remains positive, with declining numbers in Europe and challenges related to workforce and environmental regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the changes in sheep assets in Türkiye as a developing country were examined under the influence of global and national dynamics and crises. Future forecasts were made with the Box-Jenkins method. Evaluating the post-1980 period, it is was derived that the factors affecting the country's economy negatively affected sheep production until 2010, then as a result of the agricultural policies put into practice, an increasing momentum was achieved in the sheep asset. As a result of the predictions made with the ARIMA (4,2,1) model, it is predicted that this acceleration will continue in the future. However, the governments' failure to give due importance to the agricultural sector in the 42-year period caused the country to not be able to use its current geopolitical advantage, and by 2021, the sheep stock remained at the 1980 level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determining the nutritional requirements of lambs is necessary to formulate balanced rations and contribute to sustainable sheep production systems. However, limited information is available regarding the nutritional requirements of growing lambs in the Colombian highlands. Twenty-two Romney Marsh males were used. Initially, four lambs were slaughtered at 20 kg body weight (BW). The remaining 18 lambs were distributed into two groups, according to BW (light: 20 BW and heavy: 30 kg BW). Lambs were randomly allocated into one of three different nutritional schemes, according to voluntary intake (no restriction, and 25 and 50% restriction). All the animals received a totally mixed ration. When a voluntary-fed lamb gained 10 kg BW, the two other lambs restricted to 25 and 50% were slaughtered and dissected into components to determine protein and gross energy concentration. Energy and protein accumulation were analyzed through regression analysis. The net energy for maintenance was 82.3 kcal/kg BW0.75, while the energy efficiencies for maintenance and gain were 0.72 and 0.29, respectively. Crude protein for maintenance was 1.78 g/kg BW0.75, and the nitrogen efficiencies for maintenance and gain were 0.41 and 0.27, respectively. The maintenance requirement of energy was greater, while protein was similarly related to values reported in the literature; however, the efficiency of energy and protein use was lower in growing lambs. These results suggested that estimating energy and nitrogen requirements for growing lambs must be adjusted in Colombian highland conditions.

Simple Summary: In order to manage important transformations affecting a steppe area, it is necessary to analyze the existing pastoral system by evaluating the sustainability of its subsystems of production. For this reason, in this study, a tool for the evaluation of the sustainability of livestock production in a steppe area was used to identify the most sustainable systems among the various ways that livestock are managed and produced. The study was conducted in the region ranked first in terms of sheep production. Using a grid for evaluating the sustainability of livestock systems in steppe regions, the impact of each system on the environment (environmental, economic, and social) was examined, and the results showed that the feed system was unbalanced, with high pressure on steppe rangelands. Nevertheless, multiple ways of improving these systems emerged from the analysis, such as encouraging the production of fodder and its association with livestock on new spatial, temporal, regional, and national levels. In order to manage important transformations affecting a steppe area, it is necessary to analyze the existing pastoral system by evaluating the sustainability of its subsystems of production. For this reason, in this study, a tool for the evaluation of the sustainability of livestock production in the steppe area was used in order to identify the most sustainable systems. The study was conducted using a survey of 87 livestock farmers (production units) in the region ranked first in terms of sheep production. Principal component analysis (PCA) enabled us to identify two production systems: (i) the pastoral production system, characterized by the mobility of livestock and its high dependence on concentrated feed; (ii) the agropastoral system, combining fodder and livestock production, which is sedentary and semi-extensive. Using a grid for evaluating the sustainability of livestock systems in steppe regions, the impact of each system on the environment (environmental, economic, and social) was examined, and the results showed that the feed system was unbalanced, with high pressure on steppe rangelands. Nevertheless, multiple ways of improving these systems emerged from the analysis, such as encouraging the production of fodder and its association with livestock, on new spatial, temporal, regional, and national levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The paper analyzes the sheep productivity of the Botosani Karakul breed in relation to their belonging in different transferrin genotypes. Thirteen electrophoretic phenotypes of transferrin have been identified in this breed. Experimental results show that it is possible to establish correlations between genetic types of serum transferrin and quantitative characteristics of production (meat, wool, milk) in this breed depending on age and sex of animals. In lambs, the values of the productive parameters are more grouped in most transferrin genotypes, while in adult animals, more important differentiations of productivity occur among different transferrin genotypes. In adult animals, the productive differentiation among the genotypes Tf is more obvious in rams than in ewes. Irrespective of age and sex, the differences of productivity among transferrin genotypes, in their reciprocity, seldom present significant statistical assurance, a relatively frequent part of them is situated near the first critical threshold of significance, and most of them are unsignificant. Thus, a certain production metabolism is characteristic to each genotype transferrin. But the transferrin genotypes which enhance the sheep productivity, those that differ significantly from the rest of transferrin genotypes, deserve to be taken into account, in the selection works of this breed for its productive improvement.

ABSTRACT: Morada Nova breed has a low effective herd, and its white variety is in risk of extinction. The selection of individuals based on breed standard without correlation with productive aptitude is predominant today. We believe that the best way to rescue this valuable genetic resource is to describe its productive potential for commercial use. Thus, this study described the meat production potential of Morada Nova lambs through morphological and zoometric data, performance and carcass characteristics. Twenty-four non-castrated male lambs from two genetic groups were used: Morada Nova red (MNR) and crossbreed Morada Nova (red x Morada Nova white-MNF1) distributed in a completely randomized design. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used. The yields of commercial cuts and the physicochemical characteristics and qualitative measurements of the carcass were similar between the genetic groups. Seven of the 28 characteristics of the carcass were greater in MNF1 lambs. The chest height, rump height and anamorphosis index showed to be important variables in the choice of MN lambs with meat production potential. Based on factor and hierarchical cluster analysis, the Morada Nova beef morphometric index (MNBMI) was created. Both of groups have high thoracic development, ability to produce meat, weight gain, feeding efficiency and breathing capacity, infusing greater rusticity and adaptability; however, the application and validation of the developed index showed superiority for meat production in the crossed lambs. Thus, the MNF1 lambs are a sustainable option for sheep production in drylands.

Introduction: Fine wool production is an important source of revenue, accounting for up to 13% of total revenue in extensively managed wool sheep production systems of the United States. The Rambouillet are a predominant breed that excels in wool quality characteristics. Understanding the genetic basis of wool quality characteristics would aid in the development of genomic breeding strategies to facilitate genetic improvement. Methods: Wool characteristics and DNA were collected for rams enrolled in the North Dakota State University and University of Wyoming annual central performance ram tests over a three-year period (2019–2021, N = 313). The relationships of wool quality characteristics including grease fleece weight adjusted 365 days (wt. 365 adj.), clean fleece wt. 365 adj., staple length 365 adj., average fiber diameter, face wool cover, amount of skin wrinkles and belly wool were evaluated through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), Pearson correlation and ANOVA. Results: The GWAS identified four genome-wide significant genetic markers (p-value <1.19e-06) and five chromosome-wide significant markers (p-value <1.13e05) on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 15, and 19. Significant markers were associated with genes notable for relevant wool biological functions, including the gene ABCC8 which codes for SUR1, an ATP-sensitive potassium channel known to affect hair growth and 60S ribosomal protein L17-like, previously found to be expressed during follicle formation. The strongest Pearson correlation coefficients were identified between clean fleece wt. 365 adj. and grease fleece wt. 365 adj. (r = 0.83) and between clean fleece wt. 365 adj. and staple length 365 adj. (r = 0.53). Additionally, clean fleece wt. 365 adj. was correlated with final body weight (r = 0.35) and scrotal circumference (r = 0.16). Staple length 365 adj. (p-value = 5e-04), average fiber diameter (p-value = .0053) and clean fleece wt. 365 adj. (p-value = .014) were significantly associated with belly wool score. Discussion: The results of this study provide important insight into the relationships between wool quality characteristics and report specific markers that Rambouillet sheep producers may use to help inform selection and breeding decisions for improved wool quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro potential of aromatic plants Aloysia triphylla (cidró ou erva-luísa), Corymbia citriodora (eucalipto-limão), Lippia alba (falsa-melissa) e Piper gaudichaudianum (pariparoba), in helminths eggs and larvae, determine their main constituents. For this, the essential oils (OEs) of the plants were extracted from leafs, in the clevenger apparatus and to determine the main constituents was carried out the gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. The Egg eclodibility assay (EEA) and Larval development test (DLT) were performed using essential oils at concentrations ranged from 75 at 0.2%. mg.mL, and all tests followed by commercial anthelmintic positive control and negative control distilled water. For EEA, A. triphylla e L. alba OEs demonstred equivalente efficacy to the commercial drug at all concentrations that was tested, while P. gaudichaudianum OE demonstred equivalente efficacy at 15 mg/mL and the C. citriodora OE at 10 mg/mL. About DLT, all concentratios of the studied essential oils were effective as the comercial drug results in this test. The dominant constituent in OEs were: geraniale (A. triphylla), citronellal (L. alba), linalool (L. alba) and a-humuleno (P. gaudichaudianum). Based on the results presented here, the OEs present potential for use as natural anthelmintics for the treatment of endoparasitosis in sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The study uses DEA and LCA to optimize sheep farming production. • Energy use in sheep farming can be reduced by 9.82% with optimization. • Food production is responsible for 69% of the environmental impact. • Optimization in sheep farming can save 4677.64 MJ of energy. • Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced with optimization strategies. Over the past decades, the global population has significantly increased, resulting in high demand for food. China, the largest sheep-producing country, has experienced 20 rapid expansions in its sheep industry, which has caused environmental consequences. This study proposes an integrated approach that combines data envelopment analysis (DEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) to assess the ecological consequences of the sheep production system. Therefore, this work aims to evaluate the energy consumption of the existing production system and identify optimization opportunities to reduce its environmental impacts. Our results demonstrate that sheep production can decrease total energy consumption by 9.82% using optimization. Food production was reported as a critical factor in environmental impact, responsible for 69%. However, the optimized approach led to a decrease of 4,677.64 MJ in energy consumption in sheep production compared to the initial state. The findings of this study showcase the possibility of decreasing energy usage and lessening greenhouse gas (GHG) discharges in sheep farming by implementing optimization strategies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fine wool production is an important source of revenue, accounting for up to 13% of total revenue in extensively managed wool sheep production systems of the United States. The Rambouillet are a predominant breed that excels in wool quality characteristics. Understanding the genetic basis of wool quality characteristics would aid in the development of genomic breeding strategies to facilitate genetic improvement.Methods: Wool characteristics and DNA were collected for rams enrolled in the North Dakota State University and University of Wyoming annual central performance ram tests over a three-year period (2019–2021, N = 313). The relationships of wool quality characteristics including grease fleece weight adjusted 365 days (wt. 365 adj.), clean fleece wt. 365 adj., staple length 365 adj., average fiber diameter, face wool cover, amount of skin wrinkles and belly wool were evaluated through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), Pearson correlation and ANOVA.Results: The GWAS identified four genome-wide significant genetic markers (p-value

The economic feasibility of replacing corn grain with by-product from biscuit manufacture (BBM) as an energy source in the diet for purebred and crossbred native lambs raised in feedlot was evaluated. Four production systems were developed based on nutritional management and genetic groups: (PS1) purebred native lambs fed a conventional diet based on corn and soybean meal; (PS2) purebred native lambs fed a diet with BBM replacing 100% of the corn; (PS3) crossbred native lambs fed a conventional diet based on corn and soybean meal; and (PS4) crossbred native lambs fed a diet with BBM replacing 100% of the corn in the diet. The extrapolation was performed for a module of 24 Morada Nova (MN) breed lambs (12 MN red (MNR) and 12 ½MNR × ½MN white lambs)) with an initial body weight of 18.8 ± 0.875 and 15.0 ± 0.838 kg for MNR and crossbred, respectively. Feed, animal acquisition, and labor present the total production costs. The greatest profits were obtained in the production systems that fed the crossbred lambs with BBM. The lesser cost of BBM contributed to greater total factor productivity regardless of genetic group (1.095 vs. 1.015 for BBM and conventional feed, respectively). Systems using BBM (SP2 and SP4) showed an estimated payback of 5.44 and 3.24 years, respectively, while the use of conventional feed contributed to negative economic data (PS1 and PS3) with payback period greater than 10 years. The use of BBM as an energy source in the diet of crossbred sheep was economically feasible and showed better economic indices when compared to the systems using a conventional diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to assess grazing as an element of profitability and competitiveness of a small-scale lamb fattening production system in central México and compare its economic performance by means of an analysis of scenarios. Two scenarios were analysed to assess the contribution of grazing on profitability and competitiveness. The first analysis was when grazing was the feed base, and secondly, costs of opportunity and economic impacts were studied under the assumption that sheep do not graze, and total feed has to be bought from external suppliers. The economic effect of grazing on the profitability was analysed by means of the Policy Analysis Matrix. Differences were found between strata; farmers with more than 70 sheep have the best profitability indices and the least vulnerability under the non-grazing scenario. Grazing had a positive effect reducing the cost of production and increasing competitiveness in the four strata assessed. However, farmers with higher technical level, specialised breeds and larger flocks (strata 3 and 4) have higher economic profits. The conclusion was that the profitability in fattening sheep is linked to taking advantage of grazing. However, to keep and improve the current financial performance, there is a need for the adoption of strategies for an integral improvement of the system and the adoption of better grazing management to further reduce production costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Livestock production contributes significantly to the agricultural sector in South African partly because it is a source of cash income especially for smallholder farmers who depend on agriculture for their livelihood. This article analyzes the competitiveness and profitability of smallholder livestock farmers and its impacts on their livelihood in South Africa. We applied the stochastic profit frontier approach to account for the factors influencing the productivity of sheep production and the profit efficiency of the farmers. The results of our analysis show that education and household size increase the profitability of the farmers while gender (female) and sheep loss negatively influence the profitability of the farmers. The average profitability (profit efficiency) score was estimated at 65.5% meaning that an estimated 34.9% of the profitability is lost due to the combination of technical and allocative efficiencies in production. This implies that the smallholder farmers are not producing at full capacity and thus have the ability to increase production, profitability, and their competitiveness in the farmers. Education and training and technological innovation in production can increase the profitability of the farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance and carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with different types of carbohydrates associated with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thirty castrated male lambs (20.5 ± 7.6 kg) were used, distributed in a randomized block design under three experimental diets: High proportion of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) diet; High NFC diet + spineless cactus (high proportion of NFC and spineless cactus) and Low NFC diet (low proportion of NFC), in a 60 day experimental period. The variables of nutrient intake, performance, and carcass characteristics were evaluated. The animals fed the High NFC + spineless cactus diet presented a higher dry matter intake, organic matter, mineral matter, crude protein, and total carbohydrates intake (p

Urinary nitrogen (N) excretion (UN) as a proportion of N intake (NI; UN/NI) is a major determinant of N excretion from ruminants and could be predicted from the N isotopic discrimination occurring between dietary and animal proteins (Δ15N). This study investigated the usefulness of Δ15N and other plasma biomarkers to reflect changes in UN/NI from sheep offered different levels of dietary urea. Eighteen Merino rams (age, 1–2 years; live weight, 41 ± 3 kg) were allocated to three dietary N treatments for a N balance study. Treatments were control (C), control + 0.5% urea (C+0.5%), and control + 1.2% urea (C+1.2%) and designed to provide maintenance, maintenance plus an additional 15%, and maintenance plus an additional 33% NI, respectively. The urea effect term was used for one-way ANOVA and regression analysis. As NI increased, the UN and retained N (RN) increased linearly (p < 0.001), but UN/NI only increased in treatment C+1.2% compared with C (p < 0.05). Plasma Δ15N was positively and significantly correlated with UN and UN/NI (r = 0.52, p = 0.028; and r = 0.68, p = 0.002, respectively) and increased linearly (p < 0.001) with the highest values observed in C+1.2%. Urine δ15N changed linearly between C and C+1.2%, but plasma δ15N increased quadratically (p < 0.05). Plasma urea N increased in a linear way across dietary urea levels (p < 0.001). The N isotopic difference between plasma and urine (plasma δ15N–urine δ15N) of C did not vary from either of the other treatments; however, it differed between C+0.5% and C+1.2% (p < 0.05). The study confirmed the potential usefulness of plasma Δ15N to estimate UN/NI from sheep. Moreover, plasma δ15N–urine δ15N can be proposed as a new biomarker of N excretion from small ruminants. These approaches, however, need to be tested in various study conditions.

Sheep production in South Africa has experienced some growth though very slow, and as such production cannot meet demand in the local market. This study aimed to determine the factor influencing the competitiveness of smallholder sheep farmers’ and constraints faced by sheep farmers in South Africa. A farm-level cross-sectional data of 217 smallholder livestock farmers in South Africa were used to identify the factors influencing the competitiveness of smallholder sheep farmers in South Africa. The Porter's Diamond Model Framework was used to measure the competitiveness of sheep production in the study areas and principal component analysis was applied to assess the constraints faced by sheep farmers. The study results found that smallholder sheep farmers in the study area are faced with numerous production constraints, which inhibit their productivity and competitiveness. The most severe constraints include marketing, stock theft, lack of capital, diseases and parasite, and high feed cost. The study suggest that smallholder sheep farmers in the study areas can be competitive and experience growth through the creation of agribusiness enabling environments by promoting policies and strategies that will boost investments in sheep production across the value chain.

• A whole-farm net GHG model, HolosNorSheep, was developed adapted to norwegian dual-purpose meat and wool production systems. • Emission intensities (EI) was estimated for five geographical regions of Norway. • Regional variation in EI was overall small, related to a homogenous sheep genotype. • The north region had the highest EI, due to greater CO 2 and N 2 O emissions. • The EI for greasy wool was highly sensitive to allocation method. The whole-farm model, HolosNorSheep, was developed to estimate net greenhouse gas emissions from dual purpose sheep production in Norway. The model adopted a cradle-to-farm gate system boundary and is based on the International Panel on Climate Change methodology and includes direct emissions from enteric and manure methane (CH 4 ; GWP 100 =27), direct and indirect nitrous oxide (N 2 O; GWP 100 =273) from manure and soils, direct carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions from energy use and indirect CO 2 emissions from the production of input factors. Soil carbon balance is calculated using the ICBM-model. Emission intensities (CO 2 -eq/kg product) for sheep carcass and greasy wool, was estimated for five geographical regions of Norway (East, West, South, Mid and North). The geographical regions varied considerably in climate, feed resources, days on pasture and herd/farm management. Estimated emission intensities per kg carcass and greasy wool varied from 23.5 to 19.9 (Mid region) to 26.8 and 22.8 kg CO 2 -eq (North region) respectively. The difference between the Mid and North region was mainly due to higher CO 2 and N 2 O emissions from use of fuel and N-fertilizer in the North, where a short growth season, and thus reduced grass yields, are compensated by using greater land area. Based on the distribution of sheep in the regions, and the emission intensities in each region, weighted average emission intensities per kg carcass and greasy wool were estimated as 25.1 and 23.3 kg CO 2 -eq, respectively. Five alternative methods for the allocation of the co-products were compared with the amounts allocated to greasy wool ranging from 0 % when using no allocation (i.e., all emissions allocated to the sheep carcass), 11 % for economic allocation, 12 % for mass allocation, 19 % for biophysical allocation based on energy requirement up to 31 % for allocation based on protein mass. The emission intensity for wool was highly sensitive to the allocation method used (range from 0 to 61 kg CO 2 -eq per kg greasy wool), while the effect on sheep carcass was lower (range 19 to 28 kg CO 2 -eq per kg carcass). For production systems where meat is the main product, as in Norway, allocation should be based on biophysical allocation based on energy requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to manage important transformations affecting a steppe area, it is necessary to analyze the existing pastoral system by evaluating the sustainability of its subsystems of production. For this reason, in this study, a tool for the evaluation of the sustainability of livestock production in the steppe area was used in order to identify the most sustainable systems. The study was conducted using a survey of 87 livestock farmers (production units) in the region ranked first in terms of sheep production. Principal component analysis (PCA) enabled us to identify two production systems: (i) the pastoral production system, characterized by the mobility of livestock and its high dependence on concentrated feed; (ii) the agropastoral system, combining fodder and livestock production, which is sedentary and semi-extensive. Using a grid for evaluating the sustainability of livestock systems in steppe regions, the impact of each system on the environment (environmental, economic, and social) was examined, and the results showed that the feed system was unbalanced, with high pressure on steppe rangelands. Nevertheless, multiple ways of improving these systems emerged from the analysis, such as encouraging the production of fodder and its association with livestock, on new spatial, temporal, regional, and national levels.

This study aimed to evaluate the productive performance and carcass characteristics of lambs fed diets with different types of carbohydrates associated with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Thirty castrated male lambs (20.5 ± 7.6 kg) were used, distributed in a randomized block design under three experimental diets: High proportion of non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) diet; High NFC diet + spineless cactus (high proportion of NFC and spineless cactus) and Low NFC diet (low proportion of NFC), in a 60 day experimental period. The variables of nutrient intake, performance, and carcass characteristics were evaluated. The animals fed the High NFC + spineless cactus diet presented a higher dry matter intake, organic matter, mineral matter, crude protein, and total carbohydrates intake (p <0.05). Carcass characteristics and weight of commercial cuts were improved in High NFC and High NFC + spineless cactus diets (p <0.05), on the other hand we observed a total fat weight reduction in animals fed with High NFC + spineless cactus. The results indicate that high levels of NFC positively influence animal performance, where the type of carbohydrate influences nutrient intake, also affecting carcass characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Awassi is a fat-tailed sheep breed, and the best breed in Syria is famous. Awassi sheep are Syria's main source of red meat and milk production. In this study, we estimated the influence of various factors on sheep meat and milk production using time-series data from 1961 to 2020. This study employed the Cobb-Douglas production function to analyze the data. The results obtained indicate that Awassi meat production in Syria was positively and significantly influenced by carcass weight ( p  < 0.001) and quantity of slaughtered sheep ( p  < 0.001), with elasticity coefficients of 0.994 and 1.000, respectively. The model results show that raw milk yield and milk animals have a positive and significant influence on milk production at the 0.1 % significance level, with an elasticity coefficient of 0.998. However, climatic factors (precipitation and temperature) have a significant effect and negative influence on milk production at the 1 % and 5 % significance levels, respectively. This result sheds light on the policies and procedures the government should implement to develop sheep production in Syria. Therefore, it can be stated that policymakers should enhance the quality and productivity characterization of sheep through the implementation of breeding programs, improve grazing potential, and protect natural pastures. Furthermore, feed rations should be supported to help breeders overcome the effects of drought and high feed prices., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author.)

Addition of exogenous enzymes can significantly improve the absorption of carbohydrate and the utilization rate of protein in ruminants. However, the studies are mainly focused on cows and beef cattle, and there is a lack of more extensive research in sheep production. In the paper, the research status of exogenous enzymes, the mechanism of exogenous enzymes on ruminants, and its effects on sheep production performance, rumen microorganisms fermentation and microbial population were reviewed, to provide a reference for wider application of exogenous enzymes in sheep production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some grain processing by-products rich in digestible fiber are good feed resources for ruminants. This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing a portion of corn and corn stover with the combinations of corn bran and soybean hulls in the diet of fattening lambs on nutrient digestion, rumen microbial protein synthesis, and growth performance. A total of 36 Dorper × Small Thin-Tailed crossbred ram lambs (BW = 22.2 ± 0.92 kg; mean ± SD) were randomly divided into three groups, and each group was fed 1 of 3 treatment diets: 1) 0% corn bran and soybean hulls (control); 2) 9% corn bran and 9% soybean hulls (18MIX); and 3) 17% corn bran and 17% soybean hulls (34MIX). The feeding experiment was conducted for 70 days, with the first 10 days for adaption. The DM intake was higher for 34MIX (1635.3 g/d) than for control diet (1434.7 g/d; P = 0.001). Lambs fed 18MIX and 34MIX diets (230.2 and 263.6 g/d, respectively) had higher average daily gain and feed efficiency than those fed control diet (194.8 g/d; P 0.05). The metabolizable protein supplies were improved with increasing co-products inclusion rate. The results indicated that corn bran and soybean hulls in combination can effectively replace a portion of corn and corn stover in the ration of finishing lambs with positive effect on nutrient digestion and growth performance.

The European small ruminants (i.e. sheep and goats) farming sector (ESRS) provides economic, social and environmental benefits to society, but is also one of the most vulnerable livestock sectors in Europe. This sector has diverse livestock species, breeds, production systems and products, which makes difficult to have a clear vision of its challenges through using conventional analyses. A multi-stakeholder and multi-step approach, including 90 surveys, was used to identify and assess the main challenges for the sustainability of the ESRS to prioritize actions. These challenges and actions were identified by ESRS experts including farmers, cooperatives, breeding associations, advisers and researchers of six EU countries and Turkey. From the 30 identified challenges, the most relevant were economy-related challenges such as ‘uncertainty of meat and milk prices’, ‘volatility of commodity prices’, ‘low farm income’, ‘high subsidy dependency’ and ‘uncertainty in future changes in subsidies’ resulting in ‘a sector not attractive to young farmers’. Most of these challenges were beyond the farmer’s control and perceived as difficult to address. Challenges were prioritized using an index, calculated by multiplying the relevance and the feasibility to address measures. The identified challenges had a similar priority index across the whole sector with small differences across livestock species (sheep vs goats), type of products (meat vs dairy) and intensification levels (intensive vs semi-intensive vs extensive). The priorities were different, however, between socio-geographical regions (Southern vs Central Europe). Some of the top prioritized challenges were linked to aspects related to the production systems (‘low promotion of local breeds’ and ‘slow adaptability of high producing breeds’) and market practices (‘unfair trade/lack of traceability’). The majority of the priority challenges, however, were associated with a deficient knowledge or training at farm level (‘poor business management training’, ‘lack of professionalization’, ‘slow adoption of innovations’), academia (‘researchers do not address real problems’) and society as a whole (‘low consumer education in local products’, ‘low social knowledge about farming’, ‘poor recognition of farming public services’). Thus, improved collaboration among the different stakeholders across the food chain with special implication of farmers, associations of producers, academia and governments is needed to facilitate knowledge exchange and capacity building. These actions can contribute to make ESRS economically more sustainable and to adapt the production systems and policy to the current and future societal needs in a more region-contextualized framework.

Repeatable measures of pain in ruminants following husbandry procedures are required to validate responses to pain relief. This study tested the hypotheses that facial action units, activity and time spent with dam can be used to assess the efficacy of pain relief in lambs following mulesing. Merino lambs (n = 120) were allocated to one of six treatments implemented at mulesing: (1) lambs that were not mulesed or lambs that were mulesed and administered (2) no pain relief, (3) meloxicam 15 min before mulesing, (4) Tri‐Solfen®, (5) a combination of meloxicam 15 min before mulesing and Tri‐Solfen after mulesing and (6) meloxicam at mulesing. Facial action units detected a difference in pain between mulesed and non‐mulesed lambs at 1 and 5 h post‐mulesing (P = 0.005 and <0.001) but not at 26 h post‐mulesing. Lambs that were not mulesed were more active and spent more time with their dams than mulesed lambs (P < 0.001). No differences were observed between lambs that were mulesed with or without pain relief. Therefore, facial action units, activity of the lamb and time spent with dam can detect pain in response to mulesing in Merino lambs but cannot detect any changes associated with pain relief. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sheep are in high demand in the Cuban population. Most of the sheep production systems in Cuba can be classified as extensive. Ninety-five percent of the mass is in the cooperative or private sector, which implies the development of different work strategies. The objective of the work was to implement a technological researchextension procedure for the sustainable feeding of sheep with local resources. The research was carried out in Las Tunas municipality, Las Tunas province, Cuba. The period analyzed was between 2016 and 2019. The procedure was designed in five stages. Stage I: Characterization and typing of sheep production scenarios with a multivariate approach. Stage II: Identification and selection of available local resources with potential for sheep feed. Stage III: Implementation of innovation and local value networks for sheep. Stage IV: Evaluation under experimental conditions of local resources with potential for sheep feed. Stage V: Training and specialization of producers in the use of local resources with potential for sheep feed. Stage VI: Evaluation of the productive, economic, social and environmental impact, under commercial conditions of technologies based on the use of different local resources with potential for sheep feeding. The sequence of operations used could be considered as a technological research-extension procedure for the sustainable feeding of sheep, with local resources that presents a systemic and integrative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Animal Production / Hayvansal Üretim is the property of Hayvansal Uretim (Journal of Animal Production) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Subject and purpose of work: The objective of the thesis was to present the differentiation of sheep production represented in the sheep population in Poland and to determine directions of changes in the sheep population in Poland. Disparities in the regional differentiation of sheep production and their causes were also shown. Materials and methods: The spatial range of research covered 16 provinces, while the time range covered the year 2015. Sources of the materials were: domestic and foreign literature as well as data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS in Polish). Data analysis and presentations were based on descriptive, tabular, graphical and indicatory methods, as well as the Pearson linear correlation coefficient. Results: The conducted research shows the presence of disparities between provinces, because there are provinces with large populations and stocking density of these animals but there also exist territorial units with a very small number of sheep. There was also a large decrease in the number of sheep found in most provinces. Conclusions: The existence of a significant link between the share of pastures in AL (agricultural land) and the sheep population in provinces was confirmed. Correlation occurred only in the case of this parameter. The conducted research should be treated as a pilot study.

The hilly-mountain villages are important factor in food production and rural development of Serbia. The sheep production is in the fourth place of importance among branches of livestock production in Serbia, behind the cattle, pig and poultry productions. The aim of the paper is to analyze economic indicators of the sheep farming on family farms in Serbian hilly-mountain regions on the basis of 4 models which differ in intensity of crop and sheep production and to consider possibilities for improvement. The analysis has been done on the basis of data collected on 30 family farms. The economic indicators have been calculated on the basis of Direct costing calculation method and gross margins. The results have shown that production of lamb meat and sheep cheese represent the main source of the family farms' income in the hilly-mountain regions. The Model D with intensive crop and sheep production obtained the best economic results.

Copyright of Revista Caatinga is the property of Revista Caatinga and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Oeconomia is the property of Wydawnictwo SGGW and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper investigates if two groups of smallholder sheep farmers who farm using communal grazing land in the N8 development corridor of South Africa can be treated in a homogenous manner. Heterogeneous production environments should result in different production responses, which are unique to the production region. A better understanding of these unique responses could guide the development of improved strategies to increase smallholder livestock production in South Africa. A stochastic production frontier approach was used to evaluate two production districts before grouping the data and estimating the metafrontier. The metafrontier represents a homogenous benchmark for all producers. Results indicate that the two districts cannot be treated the same. Therefore a single production function and strategy cannot be used to improve productivity and efficiency of livestock production in both the districts. The conclusion is that the development of strategies to increase smallholder sheep producers, productivity and efficiency requires an understanding of the production, environmental and institutional factors that the farmers experience within that particular district. Considering the study areas used in the paper, attention to the more technical aspects of production and management can improve the farmers' productivity and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silvopastoral system has the potential to alleviate the negative impacts of heat stress on livestock. Through a preliminary study, we assessed the thermal environment experienced by hair coat lambs, as well as the impacts on their bio-thermal and behavioural responses, when either kept in either the silvopastoral system, or exposed to full sun. Twelve hair coat lambs (Dorper × Santa Ines) were randomly assigned to a silvopastoral system or full sun exposure during the summer (from January to February 2017). Parameters, including air temperature, black globe temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and ground surface temperature, were measured daily for both thermal environments. From 14:00 to 16:00, lambs kept in silvopastoral areas experienced lower levels of air temperature, radiant heat load, and ground surface temperature. Consequently, they had a lower hair coat surface and lower body rectal temperatures. Lambs exposed to a shaded environment spent more time grazing and walking, and less time standing at rest. In conclusion, lambs kept in a silvopastoral system experienced lower levels of radiant heat load and ground surface temperature. In addition, the animals showed a reduced requirement for evaporative cooling and expressed behaviours that indicated a comfortable thermal environment.

ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to characterize the efficiency and convenience of sheep identification system and its implementation costs. Therefore we quantified the time for implementation, reading and data transfer to a management program in a manual system (earrings) and electronic system (subcutaneous transponders). Furthermore, it was evaluated the implementation costs of the traceability systems by analysis of the absorption costs and comparison between systems. It was observed that the implementation time for the manual system was shorter (2.2 s animal−1) than the electronic system (4.67 s animal−1). As for reading time, the electronic system presented shorter time (2.89 s animal−1) than the manual system (4.67 s animal−1). As for the data transfer time, the electronic system also presented shorter time (16 s) than manual system (6 min and 42 s). In terms of economic costs, the manual system presented lower implementation costs and lower values per tracked animal to ensure the economic viability. In conclusion, the producer must analyze the context around the production unit to choose the best traceability system.

The hilly-mountain villages are important factor in food production and rural development of Serbia. The sheep production is in the fourth place of importance among branches of livestock production in Serbia, behind the cattle, pig and poultry productions. The aim of the paper is to analyze economic indicators of the sheep farming on family farms in Serbian hilly-mountain regions on the basis of 4 models which differ in intensity of crop and sheep production and to consider possibilities for improvement. The analysis has been done on the basis of data collected on 30 family farms. The economic indicators have been calculated on the basis of Direct costing calculation method and gross margins. The results have shown that production of lamb meat and sheep cheese represent the main source of the family farms income in the hilly-mountain regions. The Model D with intensive crop and sheep production obtained the best economic results.