Tropical sheep production systems.
2020
SOUZA NETO, J. de | FIGUEIREDO, E. A. P.
Sheep were among the first livestock species to be domesticated by man. The domestication occurred as early as 8,000 to 10,000 B.C., probably in the area known today as Iraq and Iran (Mason, 1977). Sheep served an important role in the transformation of man from a hunter to one who managed the resources to his benefit. Sheep are still important to mankind with large numbers of people living mostly on products obtained from sheep. Sheep are adapted to and perform well in a variety of environments throughout the world. Although they are economically less important than wool sheep on a world wide basis, tropical hair sheep serve an important role as a source of human food in developing areas of the tropics. According to Fitzhugh (1983), tropical sheep generally are found in areas of low altitude and latitude. In the Caribbean there are about 2 million head. In Brazil there are approximately 6 million head of hair sheep in the Northeast. The type of vegetation found in various regions producing tropical sheep is related directly to the rainfall pattern, temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors, which, along with the social and economic aspects, determine the characteristics of the animal production systems. This chapter attempts to describe the general form of the tropical sheep production systems where this species, together with others (cattle, goats, horses, donkeys, etc.), are the main components of the animal production system. Finally, based on the information presented, strategic research is proposed to improve the production system, especially that concerned with improving productivity of tropical hair sheep.
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