Sheep Productivity under Extensive and Semi-Intensive Production Systems in Egypt
1999
Metawi, H.R. (Animal Production Research Institute, Giza (Egypt)) | Kandil, H.M. | El-Shaer, H.M. (Desert Research Centre, Cairo (Egypt))
A study was conducted to evaluate sheep productivity in north Sinai and Ismaelia governorates representing the extensive (transhumant herding system, THS) and semi-intensive production (mixed crop/livestock farming system, MCLFS) systems, respectively. A total of 31 sheep holders were monitored over a year focusing on ewe productivity and lamb production. Economic aspects were considered. The results indicated that the flock size did not affect the number of lambs born, number of lambs weaned and kg weaned per ewe lambed. The number of lambs born was higher under MCLFS conditions (1.31 vs 1.04). Due to higher lamb losses, the number of weaned lambs (at 4 months) was comparable in both systems. Productivity per ewe under MCLFS was 52 per cent higher than those raised under that of THS. Although biological efficiency was lower in THS, the higher proportion of non-feed costs made an advantage to the transhumant herding system in Sinai since feed costs/kg of lamb weaned were offered lower compared to those under sMCLFS in Ismailia.
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