Number Of Small Ruminants Research Articles

Evaluation of agricultural policies implemented with respect to less favoured area’s: evidence from Turkey

There have been many different agricultural support tools varying by countries. These agricultural support tools are determined according to different indicators such as the policies, expectations, regions, and economic levels of the countries and may differ from each other. One of these agricultural support tools is Less Favoured Area (LFAs) that has been applied for a long time. Turkey has many geographically different regions and many different agricultural support tools like those in the other counties However, considering the EU full membership process policies, a specified support tool for the LFAs, which are widely used in the EU, has not been implemented in Turkey. Mersin province is one of the areas where that is an issue and so was selected for this study. The province has a dual structure, with high mountains (Taurus) and wide plains. People in the mountainous areas make a living from animal production, especially goat breeding. The study framework was based on the logistic regression model, which was compared farmers' descriptive statistics and socio-economic features in villages in the mountainous/semi-mountainous areas and on the plains of Mersin province. Farmers’ intentions for land allocation and livestock and their migration tendencies were analysed in different scenarios. Age, experience, number of small ruminants, land size and credit usage were found to have a statistically significant effect on farmers’ decisions about continuing farming. Their decisions changed across the policy scenarios provided, and a policy that considers regional differences was found to be significant in their decisions. The paper shows agricultural support policies should consider regional differences to compensate for income losses due to physical conditions.

Rearing livestock on the edge of secondary cities: examining small ruminant production on the fringes of Wa, Ghana

Rapid urbanization exerts pressure on urban fringe resources in most cities in the global south. The resultant effect of this pressure is the rapid conversion of natural reserves and farmlands into residential and non-residential developments that affects crucial rural livelihoods including the production of small ruminants. However, scientific studies on the production of small ruminants on the fringes of cities in Ghana are limited. This study draws evidence from seven communities in Wa, Ghana to examine how urban fringe development influences the production of small ruminants, the challenges the farmers encounter, and the coping strategies adopted. The study adopted a mixed-methods research design involving 329 respondents to compare small ruminant production in 2009 and 2019. Data were also elicited from community and institutional level participants. A questionnaire-based survey, in-depth interviews, focused group discussions and observation were used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The findings revealed that the effects of weedicide use, frequent theft and vehicular downing adversely affected production resulting in a decrease in the number of small ruminants over the study period. Those who adopted the semi-intensive system of rearing were confronted with feeding, housing and security challenges. The study concludes that urban fringe development is detrimental to the production of small ruminants. To sustain production, it is recommended that the city's Livestock Division of the Department of Agriculture support local farmers in constructing low-cost housing using local materials such as thatch, mud bricks and cow-dung and the preparation of low-cost feed using crop residues.

Epidemiological survey and risk factors associated with hepatitis E virus in small ruminants in southern Spain.

Autochthonous cases of hepatitis E (HE) associated with zoonotic genotypes HEV‐3 and HEV‐4 have significantly increased in industrialized countries over the last decade. Suidae are generally recognized as the main reservoirs of these genotypes. Susceptibility to HE virus (HEV) infection and zoonotic potential have also been confirmed in other species, including sheep and goat. However, the information about their role in the epidemiology of HEV remains very scarce. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence, spatial distribution and risk factors associated with HEV exposure in sheep and goats in southern Spain, the country with the highest census of small domestic ruminants in the European Union. Blood samples from 240 sheep and 240 goats were collected between 2015 and 2017. Sera were analysed in parallel using a commercial double‐antigen ELISA and real‐time PCR. A total of 38 (7.9%; 95%CI: 5.5–10.3) out of 480 sampled animals showed anti‐HEV antibodies. By species, the seroprevalences found in sheep and goats were 2.1% (5/240; 95%CI: 0.3–3.9) and 13.8% (33/240; 95%CI: 9.4–18.1) respectively. Anti‐HEV antibodies were found on 19 (59.4%; 95%CI: 42.4–76.4) of the 32 sampled farms. The GEE model showed that species (goat) and number of small ruminants in the farm (≤348 animals and ≥538 animals) were risk factors potentially associated with HEV exposure in small ruminants in the study area. HEV RNA was not detected in any of the 480 (0.0%; 95%CI: 0.0–0.8) tested animals. Our results confirm that sheep and goats are naturally, but not equally exposed to HEV and indicate the widespread spatial distribution of HEV among small ruminant populations in southern Spain. Further studies are required to elucidate the role of sheep and goat in the epidemiology of HEV and their potential implications for public health.

An unit for fixation of small ruminants during veterinary treatments and the use of biophysical methods of exposure

Sheep breeding is a rapidly developing branch of animal husbandry, both in Russia and in other countries. Due to the growth of the number of small ruminants in Russia since the beginning of the XXI century, the number has increased by more than 7,5 million heads. The development and implementation of apparatuses and units that facilitate the work of agricultural workers is still relevant. When conducting veterinary treatments in animal husbandry a large amount of time is spent on catching and especially on fixation due to the fact that the animal is scared and is in a state of stress. In this state, the animal is able to injure itself and the employee, but when using the unit, which has been developed by us for fixation, these undesirable consequences can be avoided. Some technological manipulations for the treatment and care of farm animals, the employee is not able to carry out independently due to the peculiarities of the procedure. All this increases the cost of maintaining small ruminants. The proposed unit relates to the agricultural direction, in particular to machines for fixation small ruminants, and can be used to fix the trunk and head of young animals during veterinary treatments and the use of biophysical methods to stimulate the productivity of animals. The technical result that can be achieved with the help of the proposed device is reduced to high reliability, convenience of fixation the animal, reducing labour costs and improving the quality of veterinary treatments.

Determinants of poverty in rural Ethiopia: evidence from Tenta woreda, Amhara Region

Purpose:Poverty is a challenge facing all countries but worst in Sub-Sahara African. Ending poverty in its all form is the Nation’s 2030 core goals where Ethiopia is striving. Therefore, to step forward the effort, it is necessary to assess rural poverty. Accordingly, the study intended to investigate the determinants of rural poverty at the household level in Tenta district, South Wollo Zone. Methods: A mixed research design is employed to frame the study and 196 representative samples are identified using a multistage sampling technique from three agroecological zones. Primary data are collected through a detailed structured household survey which involves questionnaires, semi-structured interview and FGD techniques. Cost of Basic Needs (CBN) method and a binary logistic regression model is used for analyzing data. Results: The result unveils that the total poverty line of the study area is 387.43 ETB per person per month and 4649.16 ETB per year where 67.3% of the societies are poor. The probability of rural household flees from poverty increases as they own beehive, large farmland size, oxen and small ruminant animals, and as the household headed by a male. On the other hand, family size and non/off-farm activities increase the probability of poor. Therefore, sex of household head, farmland holding size, beehive ownership, number of oxen and number of small ruminants, household size and non/off-farm activities were determinant factors of rural poverty. Conclusion: The national, and regional governments should work together on family planning, farm income diversification and design gender-based anti-poverty development policy to curb poverty.

From farmers to livestock keepers: a typology of cattle production systems in south-western Burkina Faso

Cattle production is an essential livelihood strategy in south-western Burkina Faso. Although having a distinct cultural role and known to be resistant against African animal trypanosomosis, the Lobi taurine cattle breed is endangered due to its low market value. As the first step in preservation efforts, our study aimed to develop a typology of production systems at the farm level. We used a structured questionnaire and focus group discussions for collecting data on household characteristics, socioeconomic activities, livestock, and access to services. The sample comprised 169 households in three communities. The analytical strategy included factor analysis of mixed data and hierarchical clustering. We identified four distinct types of cattle production systems: (1) sedentary Lobi farms, (2) sedentary crossbreed farms, (3) semi-transhumant Fulani zebu farms, and (4) transhumant Fulani zebu farms. Significant factors in developing this typology were the farmers’ ethnic group, crop diversity, cattle herd size, cattle herd composition, number of small ruminants, and livestock management strategies. Across all production systems, men were considered being primary decision-makers in cattle production, with women, herders, and children being responsible for specific tasks. All identified production systems are increasingly confronting disease pressure and scarcity of water and land. Future efforts in preservation and breeding will need to respond to these trends in the agroecosystem, integrate risk management measures, and resonate with the specific needs of the different household members involved in cattle rearing.

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGES ON DEVELOPING THE NUMBER OF SMALL RUMINANTS IN MATROUH GOVERNORATE

The research aimed to study the impact of climate changes on developing the number of small ruminants in Matrouh Governorate, data of climatic changes (the average of minimum temperature, the average of maximum temperatures, the average of rainfall), series data on developing the numbers of small ruminants at republic level and the total of desert’s governorates, and across Matrouh Governorate were used in conducting the research To achieve the research objectives, some statistical methods were used to achieve the results such as Percentages, Averages, Simple regression and multiple regressions. The research concluded the following important results: The minimum temperatures decreased at a statistically significant rate by 0.04 degrees annually, the maximum temperatures increased at a statistically significant rate by 0.11 degrees annually, rainfall decreased by a rate of 0.23 mm per year, but the rate was not proven to be statistically significant during the period (1980-2017). There was also a reduction in the number of small ruminants in Matrouh Governorate that reached around 17, 000 head per year during the period from (1991 - 2016). The area of rain fed barley decreased at a statistically significant rate by 1.500 feddans, which may be attributed to the fluctuation and absence of rainfall in many seasons during the period (2000 – 2016). By using multiple regression to analyzing data, the results showed that the barley areas cultivated by rain was the only statistically significant variable that affected developing the number of small ruminants in Matrouh Governorate. It showed that a reduction of one thousand feddans led to a reduction in the number of small ruminant heads by 387 head. That can be attributed to the reduction in the rate of rainfall which contributed to decreasing the barley areas grown with rain since barley is the main feed for small ruminants, hence, the breeders had to feed them depending of purchased expensive feedings from markets with due to the lack of the green fodder and grasslands, consequently, breeders had to quit raising small ruminants and as a result the number of small ruminants started to decrease in Matrouh Governorate.

Analysis of crop residue use in small holder mixed farms in Ethiopia

AbstractDeterminants of the use of cereal and pulse residue for livestock feeding and soil mulching among smallholder farmers in the mixed farming system were analyzed. Crop residue (CR) is dual purpose resources in the mixed crop–livestock systems of the Ethiopian highlands. They serve as livestock feed and inputs for soil and water conservation. They are generated predominantly from cereals and pulses. However, in view of the allocation of CR, soil conservation and livestock are two competing enterprises. Identifying the determinants of the intensity of use of cereal and pulse residue may help in designing strategies for more efficient CR utilization. Data on CR were generated and its utilization was collected in two highland regions in Ethiopia from 160 households using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the multivariate Tobit model. Results of the study showed that farmers prefer using CR from pulses over CR from cereals for livestock feeding purposes. The proportion of CR from pulses that was used as feed was positively affected by education level of the farmer, livestock extension service, number of small ruminants and CR production from the previous season. Distance of farm plots from residences of the farm households negatively affected the proportions of cereal and pulse residue used for feed. The use of pulse residue increased significantly when the women participated in decision making on CR utilization. The proportion of cereal and pulse residue used for soil mulch was positively affected by the education level of the farmer, the distance between the homestead and the cultivated land, extension service, awareness about soil mulch, the slope of cultivated land, participation in farmer-to-farmer extension and CR generated in the preceding season. In view that pulse CR have better nutritive value compared with cereal CR, better utilization of CR could be achieved by maximizing the use of pulse residue as livestock feed and optimizing the use of cereal residue as soil mulch. More livestock extension on the nutritive value of pulse residue should be provided to the farmers who cultivate sloppy plots. Encouraging the culture of labor exchange among the farmers could result in increased labor availability in the farms that would facilitate the transport and storage of pulse residue and increase its use as livestock feed. Increasing the awareness among farmers about the superiority of the pulse residue over cereal residue as feed and encouraging use of cereal residue as soil mulch could optimize the utilization of CR in the household.

Small ruminant production in turkey: highlighting in goat production

This paper deals with the effects of structural, governmental and socio-economic conditions linked to small ruminant production, especially goat production. The number of small ruminants in Turkey fell from almost 51,530 in 1990, to 31,761 in 2007. In 1990, the number of small ruminants started to decrease due to structural, genetic and economic reasons such as a lack of state support policies, high costs of inputs, poor performance of local breeds, socio-economic conditions, and migration. In Turkey, the socio-economic and geographical structure make small ruminant production an important profession; it is also a significant source of income in rural regions. 35% of red meat and 12% of milk production is obtained from small ruminants. Although, Turkey has the highest goat population among its border and EU countries, ranks low with milk production. Reasons for the present situation are well evaluated; changes and tendencies in sheep and goat production as well as milk and meat production that are examined and associated with the population of Turkey are widely discussed. In addition, in order to improve the present situation, some technical and structural suggestions are mentioned.

Caste, land and livestock holdings in India: an analysis

A ban on grazing, particularly by small ruminants, forms an important component of the Forest Policy and Joint Forest Management arrangements in India. Some caste groups keep larger number of small ruminants than the others. It is considered as a social trait that is sought to be corrected through extension efforts. This paper analyses the livestock structure of households by using a model of household behaviour based on profit maximisation. It shows that landholding plays a crucial role in livestock structure of households and because certain caste groups have smaller landholding they tend to keep small ruminants that can feed on the common lands and forest areas. The policy of a ban or restriction on grazing adversely affects such caste groups who therefore come to resent it.