Number Of Sheep Research Articles

Spatiotemporal distribution of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia, China, in 2010\u20132015, and influencing factors

Human brucellosis is caused by Brucella species and remains a major burden in both human and domesticated animal populations, especially in Inner Mongolia, China. The aims of this study were to analyze the spatiotemporal trends in human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia during 2010 to 2015, to explore the factors affecting the incidence of brucellosis. The results showed that the annual incidence was 29.68–77.67 per 100,000, and peaked from March to June. The majority of human brucellosis was male farmers and herdsmen, aged 40–59 years. The high-risk areas were mainly Xilin Gol League and Hulunbeier City. The incidence of human brucellosis in Inner Mongolia decreased during 2010 to 2015, although the middle and eastern regions were still high-risk areas. The regions with larger number of sheep and cattle, lower GDP per capita, less number of hospital beds, higher wind speed, lower mean temperature more likely to become high-risk areas of human brucellosis.

Bayesian maximum entropy-based prediction of the spatiotemporal risk of schistosomiasis in Anhui Province, China

Background“Schistosomiasis” is a highly recurrent parasitic disease that affects a wide range of areas and a large number of people worldwide. In China, schistosomiasis has seriously affected the life and safety of the people and restricted the economic development. Schistosomiasis is mainly distributed along the Yangtze River and in southern China. Anhui Province is located in the Yangtze River Basin of China, with dense water system, frequent floods and widespread distribution of Oncomelania hupensis that is the only intermediate host of schistosomiasis, a large number of cattle, sheep and other livestock, which makes it difficult to control schistosomiasis. It is of great significance to monitor and analyze spatiotemporal risk of schistosomiasis in Anhui Province, China. We compared and analyzed the optimal spatiotemporal interpolation model based on the data of schistosomiasis in Anhui Province, China and the spatiotemporal pattern of schistosomiasis risk was analyzed.MethodsIn this study, the root-mean-square-error (RMSE) and absolute residual (AR) indicators were used to compare the accuracy of Bayesian maximum entropy (BME), spatiotemporal Kriging (STKriging) and geographical and temporal weighted regression (GTWR) models for predicting the spatiotemporal risk of schistosomiasis in Anhui Province, China.ResultsThe results showed that (1) daytime land surface temperature, mean minimum temperature, normalized difference vegetation index, soil moisture, soil bulk density and urbanization were significant factors affecting the risk of schistosomiasis; (2) the spatiotemporal distribution trends of schistosomiasis predicted by the three methods were basically consistent with the actual trends, but the prediction accuracy of BME was higher than that of STKriging and GTWR, indicating that BME predicted the prevalence of schistosomiasis more accurately; and (3) schistosomiasis in Anhui Province had a spatial autocorrelation within 20 km and a temporal correlation within 10 years when applying the optimal model BME.ConclusionsThis study suggests that BME exhibited the highest interpolation accuracy among the three spatiotemporal interpolation methods, which could enhance the risk prediction model of infectious diseases thereby providing scientific support for government decision making.

The dynamics of vegetation grazed by a food‐limited population of Soay sheep on St Kilda

Abstract The population of Soay sheep on the island of Hirta in the Outer Hebrides has been the subject of continuous study for more than 35 years. This paper focuses on the botanical aspects of the plant–herbivore interaction, showing how the vegetation affects and is affected by the sheep. Grazing impacts on biomass and spatial structure varied across plant communities, with Holcus/Agrostis grasslands affected most and Wet Heath least, consistent with the hypothesis that herbivore impacts are proportional to plant productivity. Within plant communities, the negative relationships between sheep numbers and plant abundance (sward height, gap/tussock cover and biomass) were significant in March but not significant in August, as expected if sheep numbers are limited by food supply in winter. In most species, flower stem density declined with increasing sheep numbers. There were no examples where unpalatable plants showed increased flowering (e.g. from competitor release under selective grazing). Plant production in temporary grazing exclosures (above‐ground net primary production) was greatest in Holcus/Agrostis grassland (12.6 t ha−1 dry matter year−1), lower in Nardus grassland (5.1 t ha−1 year−1) and least in Plantago sward (1.3 t ha−1 year−1) associated with differences in historical nutrient supply and microclimate. The net effect of grazing on plant species richness was positive: A few highly palatable species were excluded, but small‐scale coexistence of grazing‐tolerant species was enhanced by defoliation. The Soay sheep population fluctuated from 908 (in 1988) to 2,208 (in 2009), increasing by an average of 39 extra animals per year over the period 1985–2011. Between 2011 and 2020, the population fluctuated less widely and showed no trend. Population change (ln(N(t + 1)/N(t))) was inversely density dependent but positively correlated with plant production in Holcus/Agrostis grassland which increased during the study. This plant–herbivore interaction is highly resilient, and though some species (Festuca rubra and Ranunculus acris) declined in the Holcus/Agrostis grassland, there was no significant upward trend in the abundance of unpalatable plant species. Synthesis. Implications for future studies and analyses of plant–herbivore data. Concentrating on estimating primary productivity and herbivore offtake, rather than simply measuring change in plant biomass, is likely to provide greatly improved explanatory power for understanding herbivore population dynamics.

The Effect Of Price Policy On The Production And Breeding Of large Sheep flocks In Anbar Governorate (Al-Rutba District, an applied model)

Livestock constitute an essential and important part of the agricultural sector, and sheep are the mainstay in livestock, as their products come to the fore; Being an essential source of daily food; And because they also have a high nutritional value compared to plant products, and sheep are characterized by being highly efficient in food conversion, as it was mainly relied on the data obtained from the questionnaire form, where a random sample was taken of 20 sheep breeders whose sheep number exceeds 500 head of sheep. The results of this study showed that the transfers of traded inputs (J) with a negative sign, amounting to about (-9008) thousand dinars, which indicate that the social prices of traded inputs (F) are greater than private prices (B), which means that there is real support for the inputs. Stores within the applicable policy. The transfers of local resources (K) came with a negative sign and a value of (18249-) thousand dinars, which indicates the existence of support for local resources because their value at social prices is higher than their value at private prices, meaning that the protection is negative for the local product, while between the nominal protection coefficient for traded inputs which appeared With a positive value less than the correct one, its value amounted to (0.88), which indicates that the prices of traded inputs are lower than the prices of their international counterparts, and this confirms the existence of real support provided for these inputs by the state, and the cost factor of the local resource (comparative advantage factor) also appeared. With a positive sign, its value amounted to (0.24), which means that the Iraqi product has a comparative advantage and efficiency for its local production of sheep, while between the effective protection factor, which came with a positive value, its value was (0.30), which is less than one. This means that local producers receive their returns in the event that there are The price intervention policy is less than returns in the absence of it, and it showed that it is less than the right one, that is, the commodity system loses its profits in favor of other sectors.

Comparative assessment of economically valuable traits of semi-coarse hair and coarse-hair sheep in Republic of Tuva

In Republic of Tuva sheep breeding is a leading branch of animal husbandry. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the number of sheep is 980 thousand heads at the 1st of January 2021. Among them the percentage of Tuva-Saraja coarse-hair hybrids is more than 60%. The purpose of the work is to study economically valuable traits of Tuva-Saraja sheep of a new type in comparison with Tuva coarse-hair short-fat tailed sheep. For comparative assessment of live weight, dirty wool clip and length of wool according to the method of random sample, out of the herd there were selected 30 heads of ram lambs yearlings and 30 heads of ewe lambs yearlings of Tuva-Saraja semi-coarse-hair sheep of new type and Tuva coarse-hair short-fat tailed sheep. The results of research have shown, that rams and ewes yearlings of Tuva-Saraja semi-coarse-hair breed of new type significantly differ in size and wool productivity. They predominate over the lambs of the same age of Tuva coarse-hair short-fat tailed in live weight by 3.2-3.4 kg (9,7-10.2 %) statistically more, than Tuva coarse-hair short-fat tailed of the same age. The longest wool was recorded in rams yearlings of new type, with underwool of 7.8 cm that exceeded the length of underwool of Tuva ram lambs yearlings by 1.3 cm or 20.0 %, the top hair was 14.4 cm and exceeded the same index in analogues by 3,4 cm or 30.9 %. Tuva coarse-hair ewe lambs yearlings gave way to the semi-coarse-hair ewes of new type in the length of underwool and top hair. Thus, the rams and ewes yearlings semi-coarse-hair ewes of new type considerably differ in live weight, dirty wool clip and length of wool in comparison with Tuva coarse-hair short-fat tailed of the same age.

Ways to improve low-yield hayfields and pastures in arid areas

Relevance. An analysis of the development of feed production in the Stavropol Territory shows that at present, due to the low productivity of natural forage lands, the level of feed production does not meet the requirements for the development of animal husbandry. Illiterate anthropogenic influence in the dry-steppe regions of the region, where about 70% of the number of sheep and 30% of the number of beef cattle are located, led to the fact that up to 300 thousand hectares of hayfields and pastures were subjected to erosion and deflation. However, in recent years, the process of improving forage land has been reduced to a minimum. Therefore, the process of restoring the forage productivity of hayfields and pastures should be given close attention. To this end, in the zone of dry steppes we conducted research on the selection of perennial legumes and grasses of a new generation to create highly productive grassland agrophytocenoses of long-term use.Methods. The experiments were carried out in the conditions of arid and extremely arid zones of the Stavropol Territory. The objects of research were perennial legumes and cereals and their herb mixtures. Restoration of degraded hayfields and pastures was carried out by means of amelioration and superficial improvement.Results. According to our research, by enriching the degenerated grass with valuable legumes and cereals in terms of forage it is possible to significantly increase its productivity and quality. In extremely arid and arid zones the most effective mixtureswere ones involving 4 and 5 components, which yield reached 15.3–23.8 t/ha of green mass, and the yield of feed units per 1 ha was 1.9–2.6 t/ha. The increase in the productivity of the improved herbage had a positive effect on the feed capacity of the land, which increased to 0.83–1.30 conventional heads per 1 ha.

A Study on Socio-economic Condition of Sheep Rearers of District Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand

Background: Uttarakhand is a hilly state and a very little land is under cultivation but animal husbandry appears to be a good source of livelihood for farmers and sheep rearing is one of the major components of animal husbandry in Uttarakhand which help farmers to run their life. Sheep rearing is very much prevailing in hilly regions of the State.
 Aim: To find the socio-economic condition of the rearers.
 Methodology: A study was conducted in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. A total of 80 rearers were selected randomly from the Bhatwari block of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand and a pre structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the rearers. Respondents were classified into three categories on the basis of number of sheep viz. small (having less than 50 sheep), medium (between 50-100 sheep), and large (more than 100 sheep).
 Results: Study showed that small rearers have 46.86 average numbers of sheep whereas medium size rearers have 73.88 and large rearers have 258.52 average numbers of sheep. Out of which number of Ram were lowest. Most of the rearers were from 35-50 years of age group. 48.74 % of rearers had completed their primary education and 14.11% of rearers were illiterate. Majority of rearers (i.e., 68.75) were engaged with two occupations. On an average 57.48 % of rearers were OBCs (Other backward class) and 29.99 % were from tribal community(i.e.,Bhotiya). The average income of small, medium and large farm group is ₹53,440, ₹89,627 ₹1,96,802 respectively.
 Conclusion: It was concluded that there is need to eradicate the lack of awareness about the new technologies and educate the rearers about more efficient way of sheep rearing. With this women participation and youth should also be encouraged to involve in sheep rearing.

Molecular Diagnosis of Fasciola hepatica in livestock using cox1 gene in Erbil Provence- Kurdistan Region/ Iraq

     52 Fasciola hepatica worms (22 sheep, 3 goats and 27 cattle) from livers and bile ducts were collected. The prevalence rate of Fascioliasis was 7.28%, 3.37% and 10.19%, respectively. Among the three hosts regarding the sex, females of sheep and goats show a higher infection rate than males (4.3% and 2.25% versus 2.98% and 1.12%). Simultaneously, the prevalence rate was slightly higher in female cattle (5.28%) than male cattle (4.91%). Used the adult worms for DNA extraction followed by PCR amplification. The sequences of amplified products were identified under accession number  (MT951586) of sheep were 99.51%, and (MT951587) of goat was 99.75% homologous to Iranian goat Fasciola hepatica (KF992219). Furthermore, the cattle Fasciola hepatica (MT951585) was 99.2% homologous with the reference of Iranian goat. Using phylogenetic tree analysis, isolated F. hepatica in sheep, goats, and cattle is positively related to various global F. hepatica.

Features of sheep breeding development in the Transnistrian territories of East Podillya at the end of the XIX – the first half of the XX century

Based on the interpretation of archival sources and field data, the article analyzes the specifics of sheep breeding in the ethno-contact zone of the Ukrainian‑Moldovan borderlands and traces the basic displays of ethnocultural interactions in it. It was found that because of long-term interethnic contacts in the Transnistrian territories of Eastern Podillya, ethnocultural complexes with a symbiosis of economic experiences have been formed, which is also typical for sheep breeding. Methods of historical comparisons, interviewing respondents, and partially – the principles of ethnographic mapping were used in the research. The materials of the Ukrainian archives in Kyiv, Odessa, Vinnitsa, as well as the National Archives of the Republic of Moldova in Chisinau, were examined. The main aspects of the topic were revealed with the help of the author’s expedition materials, recorded in 2013–2016 in the border villages of Vinnitsa and Odessa regions of Ukraine. The number of sheep, the characteristics of their keeping, forms of grazing and some ritual manifestations of sheep breeding were considered. In the conclusion, the facts were summarized and the directions for further research were indicated.

Does Bonga sheep producers’ cooperative membership improve households’ income in southern Ethiopia?

Bonga sheep is one among the known indigenous sheep breeds in Ethiopia with a high rate of growth and weight gain under smallholder management. To enhance the sheep productivity, 16 Bonga sheep breed improvement cooperatives were established in Kaffa zone of southern Ethiopia. Even though the cooperatives bring success in terms of breed improvement and income generation, there’s no empirical evidence of this. Thus, this study was intended to identify factors affecting cooperative membership and estimate its impact on farmers’ income. To do this, data from 320 sampled households were collected by using multistage sampling techniques. For analysis, the endogenous switching regression (ESR) model was employed. The result of ESR estimation shows that the probability of farmers’ membership decision is decided by the number of sheep owned, extension contact, and proximity to a cooperative office. The model results further confirm that members get significantly better (34%) than if they had not been members and non-members would have even performed better (56%) than members if they had joined cooperatives. This suggests sheep breeding cooperatives are effective in improving the income of sheep producers. Thus, efforts need to be made to tackle factors that are impeding households’ cooperative participation. Further, strengthening of the existing cooperatives and establishment of additional cooperatives is suggested.

Epizootological monitoring of infectious diseases in sheep and goats

Relevance . A significant increase in the proportion of factorial infectious diseases was established, the epizootic index in which reaches 1,0, the focal coefficient — 18,97, mortality — 100,0%, the insufficient effectiveness of diagnostic and antiepizootic measures determine the presence of conjugate foci and the threat of the formation of an enzootic zone. The widespread occurrence of these pathologies is facilitated by a decrease in the natural resistance of the body of animals when kept in limited areas, unconventional feeding and the use of chemotherapeutic and disinfectants. The aim of the work was to conduct epizootological monitoring of the infectious pathology of sheep, based on the optimization of the scheme of bacteriological and mycological diagnostics. Methods . The object of the study was sheep of the “Romanovskaya” breed, goats of the “Zaanenskaya” breed, and lambs of the “Aginskaya” breed. In a retrospective analysis of the epizootic situation for infectious diseases, statistical data were taken into account, assessing the extensive and intensive indicators of the epizootic process. For the intravital diagnosis of infectious diseases, washes from the mucous membranes of the oral and nasal cavity ( n = 10), feces ( n = 35) of sick lambs were studied. In addition, we studied the washings of objects in the reproductive rooms ( n = 5). The results of the experimental data were processed by the method of statistical analysis using the Student’s t-test, the results were considered reliable at р ≤ 0,05. Results. Analyzing the data of veterinary reporting, systematization and statistical processing of epizootic indicators, it was found that out of the total number of sheep and goats (144,274), the number of sick animals with bacterial diseases was 35, of which pasteurellosis — 5,72%, escherichiosis — 60,0%, staphylococcosis — 2,86%, streptococcosis — 22,86%. In the structure of infectious pathology of sheep and goats for the period 2014–2018 there is a dynamics of changes in the nosological profile with a predominance of the share of escherichiosis — 22,86% and 20,0% in years 2014 and 2015, respectively. The etiological structure of the infectious pathology of lambs is represented by bacteria: E. coli ; K. pneumoniae — 4 (10,5%); P. vulgaris — 3 (7,9%); E. cloacae — 2 (5,3%); P. aeruginosa — 1 (2,7%); S. aureus — 1 (2,7%); S. epidermidis — 1 (2,7%); C. albicans — 2 (5,3%); C. parapsilosis — 1 (2,7%).

Land, sheep, and market: how dependency on global commodity chains changed relations between pastoralists and nature

Land, sheep, and market: how dependency on global commodity chains changed relations between pastoralists and nature

MHC class IIa haplotypes derived by high-throughput SNP screening in an isolated sheep population.

Investigating the current evolutionary processes acting on a highly polymorphic gene region, such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), requires extensive population data for both genotypes and phenotypes. The MHC consists of several tightly linked loci with both allelic and gene content variation, making it challenging to genotype. Eight class IIa haplotypes have previously been identified in the Soay sheep (Ovis aries) of St. Kilda using Sanger sequencing and cloning, but no single locus is representative of all haplotypes. Here, we exploit the closed nature of the island population of Soay sheep and its limited haplotypic variation to identify a panel of SNPs that enable imputation of MHC haplotypes. We compared MHC class IIa haplotypes determined by Sanger sequence-based genotyping of 135 individuals to their SNP profiles generated using the Ovine Infinium HD BeadChip. A panel of 11 SNPs could reliably determine MHC diplotypes, and two additional SNPs within the DQA1 gene enabled detection of a recombinant haplotype affecting only the SNPs downstream of the expressed genes. The panel of 13 SNPs was genotyped in 5951 Soay sheep, of which 5349 passed quality control. Using the Soay sheep pedigree, we were able to trace the origin and inheritance of the recombinant SNP haplotype. This SNP-based method has enabled the rapid generation of locus-specific MHC genotypes for large numbers of Soay sheep. This volume of high-quality genotypes in a well-characterized population of free-living sheep will be valuable for investigating the mechanisms maintaining diversity at the MHC.

Reviving a Heritage in Peril: India’s Endangered Traditions of Cotton and Wool

This article traces the journey of two indigenous textile fibres—Kala cotton and Desi Oon—and the efforts of farmers, pastoralists, craft artisans and Khamir, to conserve, sustain and promote the natural and cultural heritage that have nourished these fibres. It recreates the revival of these fibres in Kutch, a semi-arid region of India, and unfolds the technical, cultural and creative challenges that have accompanied this process—from land to the loom. Large-scale shifts in Indian agriculture have marked a significant breakdown of the value loops and deep interdependent economies between farmers, spinners, weavers, dyers and tailors. First, in the nineteenth century, when the cultivation of short staple indigenous varieties of cotton shifted to long staple cotton, which could feed the mills of Britain; and then in the late twentieth century when a global push towards hybrid, genetically modified varieties of cotton strode over the farming of more resilient local cotton varieties. Similarly, across India, vast genetic resource of sheep, yak and camels, in particular, have, for centuries, been conserved and bred by the nomadic pastoral communities of these regions. Even two and a half decade ago, the animal’s fibre was used extensively by the pastoralists themselves and fetched them a market price for the wool that was almost equal to that of meat. However, with India becoming a major sheep meat producing country, accompanied by the relaxation of tariffs on wool imports in the early nineties, the Indian wool market has moved completely to softer, longer staple wool from New Zealand, Australia and the Middle East. Today, this is the only natural fibre in which India is deficient despite having the third largest number of sheep in the world! The process of conserving indigenous cotton seeds, sheep breeds, their fibres and a range of associated textile crafts, challenge all the essential premises on which the political economy of contemporary textiles rest. However hope comes in many forms—the intense climatic variabilities and growing vulnerabilities to climate change, is compelling farmers and pastoralists to revisit the choices they have been compelled to adopt by a globalized market economy. Their growing understanding and need to revive their local cotton seeds and animal breeds, which are more adaptable and resilient to climatic variabilities, hold out a tremendous opportunity to transform the landscape of indigenous textile fibres. Through her experiences, the author stitches together a story of localization wherein Khamir attempts to restore a lost heritage and the bonds between farmers, pastoralists, spinners, weavers and dyers.

Panting scores as a measure of heat stress evaluation in sheep with access and with no access to shade

The threat to sheep welfare of heat stress when pastured outdoors in the summer, particularly without access to shade, has been underinvestigated. This may be of importance not only in hot climates, but also during the summer months in cooler climates. This study considered whether, in the moderately warm conditions of a northern European summer, sheep will access shade of they have access to it, and if sheep with no access to shade in a northern European summer show behaviours indicative of poor welfare, including measures of panting scores and other indicators of heat stress. There were twelve sheep in each of the groups, the control group (NS) or the treatment group with the possibility to access shade (SH). Respiration rates and panting scores were recorded for each sheep in each group twice each day. Other behaviours were also recorded at the individual animal level. In the SH group, the numbers of sheep in the shaded areas were also noted. Climatic data on observation days was collected. Respiration rates were significantly higher at higher panting scores (p < 0.001). Higher panting scores were recorded for NS sheep than for SH sheep (p < 0.001), as were breath intensities (p < 0.001). The behaviour of open mouth with tongue extended was not observed in the SH group but was observed in the NS group. SH sheep ruminated more (p = 0.011) than the NS sheep, while NS sheep stood panting more than the SH sheep (p = 0.001). Indicators of heat stress, respiration rates and panting scores, were more strongly correlated to air temperature and weather conditions in the NS group compared to the SH group, and these were significant. The number of animals observed to be in the shade in the SH group was positively correlated with air temperature. Panting score can therefore be used as a reliable measure for estimating respiration rate and heat stress in sheep. Sheep, even in northern Europe, can suffer from heat stress, particularly when given no access to shade, and shade from the sun should be provided for sheep at pasture.

Spatial prediction of human brucellosis (HB) using a GIS-based adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS)

ObjectiveThis study pursues three main objectives: 1) exploring the spatial distribution patterns of human brucellosis (HB); 2) identifying parameters affecting the disease spread; and 3) modeling and predicting the spatial distribution of HB cases in 2012–2016 and 2017–2018, respectively, in rural districts of Mazandaran province, Iran. MethodsWe collected data on the disease incidence, demography, ecology, climate, topography, and vegetation. Using the Global Moran’s I statistic, we measured spatial autocorrelation between log (number of HB cases). We applied the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic to identify areas with high and low risk of the disease. To investigate the relationships between the factors affecting the incidence of HB as input variables together and the factors with the log (number of HB cases) as an output variable, we used the statistical linear regression model and the Pearson correlation coefficient. Then, we implemented a GIS-based adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) with two subtractive clustering and fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering methods to model and predict the spatial distribution of HB. ResultsGlobal Moran's I spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that the type of HB distribution is clustered in all years except 2014 and 2017, which are random. According to the Getis-Ord Gi* analysis, the location of the hot spots varied during 2012–2018. In 2012 and 2013, most of the hot spots were seen in the west of the province. While in 2018, they were mostly concentrated in the eastern regions of the province. The linear regression model indicated that the parameters affecting the incidence of HB are independent of each other and can explain only 25.3% of the total changes in the log (number of HB cases). The results of the Pearson correlation coefficient showed that there were positive relationships between vegetation, log (population), and the number of sheep and cattle (p-value < 0.05). The above-mentioned factors had the strongest positive correlation with the log (number of HB cases) (p-value < 0.01). These results may be due to the fact that vegetation regions are suitable for livestock grazing, attracting large crowds of people. Therefore, this will increase HB cases. We compared the results of subtractive clustering and FCM clustering methods by evaluation criteria (e.g., linear correlation coefficient (LCC) and mean absolute error (MAE)) in two phases of development and assessment of the ANFIS model. In the assessment phase, we predicted the spatial distribution of log (number of HB cases) in 2017 and 2018 by subtractive clustering (R2 = 0.699, LCC or R = 0.692, MAE = 0.509, MSE = 0.455) and by FCM clustering (R2 = 0.704, LCC or R = 0.697, MAE = 0.512, MSE = 0.448) that showed FCM clustering outperformed the subtractive clustering. ConclusionThe findings may have important implications for public health. The emergence of the hot spots in the east of the province can be a warning to the health system. Health authorities can use the findings of this study to predict the spread of HB and perform HB prevention programs. They can also investigate the factors affecting the prevalence of the disease, identify high-risk areas, and ultimately allocate resources to high-risk regions.

The sustainability of small-scale sheep farming systems in the Northern Cape (Hantam Karoo), South Africa

The objective of the study was to assess the current sustainability of small-scale sheep farming systems in the Hantam Karoo, Northern Cape Province (South Africa). The influence of economic, social, and environmental variables (indicators) in promoting the development of sustainable sheep farming was taken into account. Thirty-two small-scale sheep farmers were interviewed using questionnaires which consisted of structured and unstructured questions. The results showed that the sheep farming system was mostly not economically viable due to low sheep numbers, but partially sustainable in the social context. Small flocks result in low income and profitability which is not sustainable. Market access was not a limitation because farmers had good trade relations. Farming benefitted farmers’ families and the community and farmers had access to basic resources. Secure tenure was a major challenge to small-scale farmers. With regard to environmental variables, grazing conditions were poor. In 2017, stocking density was within the norm, which means that frequent droughts and continuous grazing methods rather than sheep stocking rates were probably responsible for poor grazing conditions. Extension advisors could teach the practice of rotational grazing and it might be a good idea to promote gender equality in order to alleviate poverty and increase food security.

State and prospects of sheep breeding development in the western region of Ukraine

Sheep farming is considered a powerful source of lamb production. The analysis of the current state of sheep breeding in the western region of Ukraine and the changes that have occurred since 1991 in this industry have been analyzed. The work was performed on the basis of generalization, analysis, synthesis and comparison of data of the State Statistics Committee for the period 1991–2019, surveys of owners of farms and farms that raise sheep, scientific publications, including online publications and web pages. The article outlines the priority areas of industry development and ways to implement them. It is noted that today sheep breeding in Ukraine is characterized by the zonal principle of placement. The main factor in this process is natural climatic and economic conditions. Analysis of statistical data shows that since 1992 the number of sheep in Ukraine, including farms of the western region, has significantly decreased, namely from 7896.2 thousand (1991) as of January 1, 2019 in all categories of farms Ukraine's sheep population decreased to 698.5 thousand or 11.3 times, and in the regions of the western region – from 848.6 thousand to 180.7 thousand or 4.7 times. It is noted that currently the bulk of the sheep population both in Ukraine and in its West (75.3 and 86.6 %, respectively) is concentrated in households, while at agricultural enterprises this figure is at the level of 24.7 and 13.4 %, respectively. The main shortcomings in the field of sheep breeding in the western region of Ukraine are reflected and possible ways to eliminate them are outlined. Sheep farms should take the following important measures: genetic improvement of meat and wool breeds and types available in the region by purebred breeding and crossing of local low-yielding uterine livestock with breeders of specialized imported meat breeds; creation of new zonal genotypes of meat and wool animals with high productive and reproductive qualities; introduction of the newest modern industrial technologies of keeping and fattening of sheep for lamb production; creation of a network of specialized slaughterhouses capable of slaughtering sheep, assessment and varietal cutting of carcasses in accordance with the requirements of international standards and specific consumers; improving the market for finished products.

Live weight of rams of Dagestan mountain breed and crossbreeds obtained from crossing with rams of the Russian meat merino breed

Relevance and methods. The article considers the experience of studying the effect of crossing Kalmyk sheep and dorper sheep-breeders in order to increase meat productivity. Crossbred rams of the experimental group had better indicators than rams in the control group in terms of live weight, depending on the conditions of pasture maintenance. Dagestan has a fifth of the Russian sheep and goat population and a quarter of wool production. In this area sheep breeding has a unique specificity, twice a year cattle are driven from summer to winter pastures and back. The distance between the pasture areas is more than 570 km. Of the total number of sheep, 71.5% falls on the Dagestan mountain breed.Results. To further increase the level of profitability of fine-wool sheep breeding it is of great importance to develop research on the economic and useful characteristics of young Dagestani fine-wool sheep and their crossbreeds with Russian meat merino sheep, depending on the driving and pasture system of keeping.

Prospects of use of genetic resources of sheep in Ukraine

Prospects of use of genetic resources of sheep in Ukraine