Sheep Meat Production Research Articles

ОПТИМИЗАЦИЯ МИНЕРАЛЬНОГО ПИТАНИЯ ОТКАРМЛИВАЕМЫХ БАРАНЧИКОВ В УСЛОВИЯХ ЕСТЕСТВЕННЫХ ПАСТБИЩ

The results of fattening sheep when using organic selenium-containing drug DAFS-25 as a feed additive and a combined feed additive including the drug DAFS-25 with an additional sulfur content for animal husbandry are presented. The inclusion of feed additives in diets has improved the mineral nutrition and meat productivity of sheep, as well as economic effi ciency.

Body tissue development of Santa Inês breed sheep using computed tomography

Context The in vivo evaluation of body tissue development on meat production sheep can be used both to identify and select animals with the best characteristics and to make choices regarding marketing the products of these animals. Aims The objective of this work was to evaluate, using computed tomography, the dynamics of body tissue development and composition of male and female Santa Ines sheep in vivo. Methods The carcass tissue evaluation by computed tomography of 38 sheep (21 male and 17 female) was performed after weaning, at the ages of 90, 120, 180 and 300 days. Based on the Cavalieri method, regression equations were generated for estimates of total weight and proportions of bone, muscle and fat. For the Cavaliere method five males and five females were selected at random and in the four times. In the evaluation of the reference points, all the animals of the study were evaluated in the four times (21 males and 17 females). Key results The mean fat weight was highest at 300 days (2.74 ± 0.99 kg) and lowest at 90 (1.88 ± 0.88 kg) and 120 days (1.91 ± 0.83 kg), indicating that the mean fat area increased with age at all the points evaluated. At age 300 days, the females accumulated more fat than the males whereas the proportions of bone and muscle were higher in the males. Conclusions Computed tomography allowed the evaluation of the body tissues of live animals and was efficient at detecting the changes during the growth phase, besides revealing differences in tissue composition between males and females. Implications The in vivo evaluation by computed tomography of body traits on meat production animals can be used both to identify and select animals with the best productive characteristics, allowing advances in sheep meat production.

СКОРОСПЕЛОСТЬ И МЯСНАЯ ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ ОВЕЦ РАЙОНИРОВАННЫХ ПОЛУТОНКОРУННЫХ ПОРОД

The assessment of growth intensity and meat productivity of young sheep of the southern meat breed (YM) in comparison with peers of the North Caucasian meat and wool breed (SK), Soviet meat and wool breed (SMSH) and Kuban Lincoln (KL) is given in order to determine their eff ectiveness in purebred breeding. The advantage of young YUM breed in live weight – by 9.5-12.0%, growth intensity – by 9.2%, slaughter weight – by 10.0%, feed payment – by 7.2% compared to peers of zoned semi-fi ne-wool breeds was determined.

Formation of meat productivity of young sheep of Askanian fine-wool breed

Formation of meat productivity of young sheep of Askanian fine-wool breed

Review: Sheep and Goat Meat Production Constraints in Ethiopia

Review: Sheep and Goat Meat Production Constraints in Ethiopia

РОСТ И МЯСНАЯ ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ БАРАНЧИКОВ ЭДИЛЬБАЕВСКОЙ ПОРОДЫ ПРИ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИИ РАЦИОНЕ КОРМЛЕНИЯ ПРЕМИКСА ПВМ-81-2 «СУЛЬФВИТА»

The article presents data on the eff ect of vitamin and mineral premix PVM 81-2 “Sulfvita” on the weight growth and meat productivity of sheep of the edilbaev breed.

Modelling Chinese grassland systems to improve herder livelihoods and grassland sustainability

Recent degradation of Chinese grasslands has contributed to declining herder productivity and profitability, increased incidence of dust storms and regionally reduced air quality. Overgrazing due to a doubling of stocking rates since the mid-1980s has been identified as a key contributing factor. Several pathways and strategies exist to improve grassland management; however, there remains uncertainty around the long-term sustainability of alternative systems. Nineteen years of grasslands research in China has produced a suite of models designed to improve understanding of grassland systems and investigate options for change. The StageTHREE Sustainable Grasslands Model was used to evaluate the ability of selected strategies to meet economic, production and environmental objectives. Sets of strategies that focussed on flock size, lambing and selling times, supplementary feeding rules and grazing management were simulated for a typical herder located in the desert steppe of Siziwang Banner, in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. The results from the risk efficiency analysis indicated that no single strategy set clearly dominates across all objectives. Although the current practice of herders was found to be risk-efficient, it did not achieve the highest rate of grassland recovery, minimise soil erosion or minimise the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity for sheepmeat production. Targeting further improvements in these attributes could be at the detriment of herder livelihoods. The analysis indicated that if herders adopted biomass-based grazing management and improved supplementary feeding they would be able to improve grassland resilience and maintain positive long-term economic performance under reduced flock sizes. Individual decision-making units, however, would still need to trade off the importance of different attributes to identify the strategy set, or system, that best meets their objectives and attitude to risk.

164 The effect of grass silage compared to whole crop wheat silage on colostrum yield, lamb birth weight and ewe performance during late gestation

Abstract Number of lambs born is a key factor influencing profitability of seasonal sheep meat production systems and a key driver of nutrient requirements. Energy and nutrient requirements to support foetal development, mammogenesis and lactogensis increase in the final eight weeks of ovine gestation. A 3 × 2 factorial design experiment involving 90 twin bearing ewes was conducted during the final eight weeks of pregnancy with ewes offered 100% of predicted metabolisable energy (ME) requirements. Three prolific breed types (Mule (Bluefaced Leicester X Blackface mountain), Belclare X and Lleyn X) were offered one of two silage types (grass (GS) or whole crop wheat (WCW)) resulting in six treatments (n = 15). Where silage intake was insufficient to meet 100% of ME requirements, concentrates were offered to reach 100% of ME allocation per ewe per day. Colostrum yield at one, ten and eighteen hours, combined litter weight (CLW), maternal body weight and body condition score (BCS) change during the final eight weeks of gestation were recorded. The data were analysed using repeated measures and glimmix in SAS (Version 9.4). Ewes offered grass silage produced lambs with a higher CLW (P = 0.03). There was an interaction between breed type and silage type with Mule ewes offered WCW producing a lower CLW than Mule ewes offered GS (P = 0.004), with no difference for Belclare or Lleyn ewes (P > 0.05). Within silage type Mule ewes offered GS had a higher CLW than Belclare ewes (P < 0.05) while within WCW Belclare ewes had a higher CLW than Lleyn ewes (P < 0.05). Other variables did not differ with treatment. In conclusion, a breed specific response was recorded in this study whereby Mule ewes produced a lower CLW when offered WCW compared to GS silage, though no differences were observed in the other breed types studied.

Feeding capacity and meat productivity of sheep of different breeds in the Republic of Buryatia

In this article, we studied the feeding and meat productivity of young coarse sheep (Buryat, Mongolian, Tuva, Edilbaev breeds) raised in 4 sheep farms of the Republic of Buryatia. In addition, the paper analyzes the economic efficiency of different breeds.

Epidemiology of ovine respiratory complex in lambs

Ovine respiratory complex is one of the main diseases affecting lambs in many countries. Similar to other multifactorial diseases, it is highly influenced by the combination of the different factors that influence the animal, such as the environment, the production system in which they are reared or the host factors themselves. For this reason, epidemiological data of this disease are variable according to the risk factors present in each region and even in each flock. In order to understand the different options available at farm level for the epidemiological study of the ORC, the authors present results from five different studies carried out during the last years in sheep meat production systems in Spain. These studies make different approaches to the measurement of the importance of the ORC, ranging from the assessment of clinical cases and observation of lesions during necropsy to more complete analysis such as data collection on condemnations at the slaughterhouse. This practical approach should allow to analyse in a simple way the incidence of the disease in a farm and its maximum risk moments of presentation, which will be absolutely essential to design preventive plans adjusted to each situation.

Productive and breeding qualities of the sheep of Aginskaya breed, Zugalai type

The genetic potential of wool and meat productivity of semi-coarse wool sheep was evaluated for the creation of animal groups that would meet requirements of the desirable type. The article presents the results of the study of productivity and breeding abilities of semi-coarse wool sheep of Aginskaya breed, Zugalai type, belonging to mutton-wool production type. The study was carried out in the pedigree breeding unit of Trans-Baikal Territory. The scope of research was to study productive and breeding qualities of sheep of various age and gender groups. It was established that sheep of Aginskaya breed, Zugalai type, correspond to the elite class by 37.5%, fi rst class – by 51.7% and second class – by 10.8%. Zugalai type semicoarse wool rams exceed the breed standard in live weight by 37.4%, replacement rams – by 38.0%, ewes – by 15.4% and young ewes – by 25.7%, and in terms of pure wool production – by 28.6; 25.0; 7.7 and 8.3%, respectively. Production and yield of wool, its length, morphological composition and fi neness by fractions of semi-coarse wool sheep were identifi ed. The semi-coarse wool of Zugalayan sheep is heterogeneous and consists of fi ne fl eece (79.5-80.6%), medullated fi bers (12.7-13.4%) and coarse hair (6.0-7.8%). The fi neness of fi bers by fractions varies between 21.4-22.9 microns for fi ne fl eece, 39.7-40.2 for medullated fi bers and 72.2-77.3 for coarse hair. The results of the control slaughter of semi-coarse wool rams at the age of 6 months show their reasonably high meat productivity. The slaughter mass of Zugalai type specimens is 18.5 kg, the slaughter yield is 50.9%, fi rst grade meat yield is 92.9%, the meatiness ratio is 3.8.

Economic Assessment of the Productive Parameters in Meat Sheep Production Using Discrete Event and Agent-Based Simulation

A hybrid stochastic model was developed including discrete events and agent-based simulations in order to identify the productive parameters and management criteria that most affect meat sheep production. A sheep herd on a pasture termination system, without weaning and with natural mating, was outlined. In order to devise this herd, a pre-existing database from between 1999 and 2013 was used. This conceptual model included the flushing, mating, gestation, lactation, termination and maintenance phases. Health, feeding and management criteria were also considered and recommended. Simulation scenarios were built which were later evaluated by regression analysis. The net operational margin was between R$ 11 741.80 and R$ 21 389.80, and an average of R$ 14 412.14 ± R$ 3 873.02 for different scenarios. Food costs had the greatest impact (25.4%) in relation to operating costs, while health costs were the lowest (1.3%). The abortion rate showed a higher linear response in contrast to the birth rate and the net operating margin, upon analysing ewe productivity parameters. However, neonatal mortality showed the greatest impact on net profit and on general lamb mortality. Carrying out economic analyses within the livestock sector can make a difference within such a competitive market, where prices are not controlled, only costs. The use of discrete event and agent-based simulation methodologies allowed for the assessment of different approaches to sheep production. The present study demonstrated the tool’s potential within the scope of meat sheep production, but this model can act as a guideline for other animal production systems.

The effect of ewe wastage in New Zealand sheep and beef farms on flock productivity and farm profitability

Changes in the relative value of meat and coarse wool have led to the majority of income for New Zealand sheep farms now coming from the sale of animals for slaughter rather than wool, shifting the production focus for many farmers. Ewe wastage, on-farm mortality and premature culling before the potential end of the ewe's productive life, is a limiting factor for sheep meat production. Current estimates of wastage rates in New Zealand commercial ewe flocks range from approximately 3 to 20%. A bio-economic model of a representative New Zealand North Island Hill Country sheep farm was constructed to investigate the effects of wastage rates on farm profitability. The model used system dynamics with annual time steps over 30 years. The proportion of ewes that were culled up to 6 years of age and all mature ewe deaths combined were considered as wastage in this study. Modelled scenarios covered ewe wastage rates ranging from 5 to 21% for a self-replacing flock of 1879 ewes producing coarse wool and lambs for sale on 423 ha where 63% of total feed was consumed by sheep. Greater wastage of ewes resulted in higher numbers of young, less productive replacement ewes in the flock, lowering average flock age from 4.18 years to 3.54 years over the wastage rate range tested. The reproductive performance of the flock decreased with flock age from 1.33 lambs weaned per ewe presented for breeding to 1.22 lambs weaned per ewe presented for breeding with wastage rates of 5% and 21%, respectively. The lower numbers of lambs weaned and lower proportion available for sale reduced income from lamb sales. Subsequently, total cash operating surplus for the sheep enterprise of the representative farm was reduced by NZ$ 1069 per year per 1% increase in ewe wastage. For a New Zealand North Island Hill Country sheep farm with 15% of the flock lost due to wastage, a 10% reduction in wastage could increase cash profit by 17%. Sheep energy requirements were reduced across the production year with greater ewe wastage leading to a greater positive end of year cumulative feed surplus.

Effect of Grape Pomace Inclusion on the Production and Quality of Sheep Meat

Effect of Grape Pomace Inclusion on the Production and Quality of Sheep Meat

Energy and protein requirements for maintenance of Texel lambs

It can be hypothesized that the body composition characteristics of different sheep breeds affect their nutritional requirements. However, no study has yet been carried out to determine the nutritional requirements for maintenance of Texel purebred lambs, despite their growing importance in sheep meat production globally. Our objective was therefore to determine the energy and protein requirements for maintenance of Texel lambs. Thirty-four Texel lambs were used, all intact males that were weaned at 50 days old, and confined in individual pens. Two experiments were conducted, as follows. In Experiment 1, a digestibility assay was performed to determine the dietary energy value, in a 3×3 double Latin square design, in which lambs were submitted to three levels of feed restriction (0%, 55% and 70% of ad libitum feed intake). In Experiment 2, the energy and protein requirements for maintenance of Texel lambs from 21 to 40 kg BW were determined using a randomized block design, in which lambs were also submitted to three levels of feed restriction (0%, 55% and 70% of ad libitum feed intake). The requirements for net energy for maintenance (NEm), metabolizable energy for maintenance (MEm), net protein for maintenance (NPm) and metabolizable protein for maintenance (MPm) were determined. The digestibility of dry matter, energy, protein and metabolizability were similar between food restriction levels, averaging 74.4%, 75.5%, 80.3% and 0.636, respectively. The NEm determined for growing Texel lambs was 263 kJ/kg of the metabolic fasting BW (FBW), the MEm was 417 kJ/kg0.75 FBW and the efficiency of use of MEm was 0.63. In addition, the NPm was 1.24 g/day per kg0.75 FBW and the MPm was 2.98 g/day per kg0.75 FBW. The energy requirements of Texel lambs are different from those reported in the literature, possibly due to differences between breeds, diets and environmental effects, whereas the protein requirements are different from literature mainly due to methodological differences; further studies are need to address these aspects that affects the nutritional requirements for raising sheep from different breeds in different environments.

Meat productivity of sheep reared in different conditions of keeping

In the article the estimation of sheep meat productivity in Karachai breed reared in various natural and climatic zones with different iodine supply is given. It was found that the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of meat productivity, mutton are significantly higher in lambs reared in the mountain zone without iodine deficiency.

Advances in Sheep and Goat Meat Products Research.

The main goal of this chapter was to review the state of the art in the recent advances in sheep and goat meat products research. Research and innovation have been playing an important role in sheep and goat meat production and meat processing as well as food safety. Special emphasis will be placed on the imaging and spectroscopic methods for predicting body composition, carcass and meat quality. The physicochemical and sensory quality as well as food safety will be referenced to the new sheep and goat meat products. Finally, the future trends in sheep and goat meat products research will be pointed out.

Carbon and blue water footprints of California sheep production.

While the environmental impacts of livestock production, such as greenhouse gas emissions and water usage, have been studied for a variety of US livestock production systems, the environmental impact of US sheep production is still unknown. A cradle-to-farm gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted according to international standards (ISO 14040/44), analyzing the impacts of CS representing five different meat sheep production systems in California, and focusing on carbon footprint (carbon dioxide equivalents, CO2e) and irrigated water usage (metric ton, MT). This study is the first to look specifically at the carbon footprint of the California sheep industry and consider both wool and meat production across the diverse sheep production systems within California. This study also explicitly examined the carbon footprint of hair sheep as compared with wooled sheep production. Data were derived from producer interviews and literature values, and California-specific emission factors were used wherever possible. Flock outputs studied included market lamb meat, breeding stock, 2-d-old lambs, cull adult meat, and wool. Four different methane prediction models were examined, including the current IPCC tier 1 and 2 equations, and an additional sensitivity analysis was conducted to examine the effect of a fixed vs. flexible coefficient of gain (kg) in mature ewes on carbon footprint per ewe. Mass, economic, and protein mass allocation were used to examine the impact of allocation method on carbon footprint and water usage, while sensitivity analyses were used to examine the impact of ewe replacement rate (% of ewe flock per year) and lamb crop (lambs born per ewe bred) on carbon footprint per kilogram market lamb. The carbon footprint of market lamb production ranged from 13.9 to 30.6 kg CO2e/kg market lamb production on a mass basis, 10.4 to 18.1 kg CO2e/kg market lamb on an economic basis, and 6.6 to 10.1 kg CO2e/kg market lamb on a protein mass basis. Enteric methane (CH4) production was the largest single source of emissions for all CS, averaging 72% of total emissions. Emissions from feed production averaged 22% in total, primarily from manure emissions credited to feed. Whole-ranch water usage ranged from 2.1 to 44.8 MT/kg market lamb, almost entirely from feed production. Overall results were in agreement with those from meat-focused sheep systems in the United Kingdom as well as beef raised under similar conditions in California.

Effect of methodological choice on the estimated impacts of wool production and the significance for LCA-based rating systems

One aim of LCA-based rating tools developed by the apparel industry is to promote a change in demand for textiles by influencing consumer preferences based on the environmental footprint of textiles. Despite a growing consensus that footprints developed using attributional LCA (aLCA) are not suitable to inform decisions that will impact supply and demand, these tools continue to use aLCA. This paper analyses the application of the LCA methods to wool production, specifically the application of aLCA methods that provide a retrospective assessment of impacts and consequential (cLCA) methods that estimate the impacts of a change. Attributional and consequential life cycle inventories (LCIs) were developed and analysed to examine how the different methodological approaches affect the estimated environmental impacts of wool. Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) of aLCI and cLCI for wool indicates that estimated global warming and water stress impacts may be considerably lower for additional production of wool, as estimated by cLCIA, than for current production as estimated by aLCIA. However, fossil resource impacts for additional production may be greater than for current production when increased wool production was assumed to displace dedicated sheep meat production. This work supports the notion that the use of a retrospective assessment method (i.e. aLCA) to produce information that will guide consumer preferences may not adequately represent the impacts of a consumer’s choice because the difference between aLCIA and cLCIA results may be relatively large. As such, rating tools based on attributional LCA are unlikely to be an adequate indicator of the sustainability of textiles used in the apparel industry.

Traceability information modeling and system implementation in Chinese domestic sheep meat supply chains

AbstractTraceability has become a prerequisite for ensuring meat quality and safety. It is the most critical requirement for developing a well‐structured traceability system to identify efficiently and model the traceability information need to be captured. This article identified Chinese domestic sheep meat supply chain and proposed the Petri nets and UML based modeling approach for identified traceability information and process. This approach followed the definition of state and transition in sheep meat production process. An in‐depth analysis was conducted for the sheep stakeholders and production flow of the sheep meat chain. The state‐transition for the production process and specific traceability information need to be captured were identified including the product, process, quality, and transformation information. Furthermore, traceability functionality requirement and system architecture were presented. System evaluation results illustrate the model can help to provide guidance for standardizing meat product flow and supporting quality traceability management in meat industry. The system can provide making‐decision for the meat product quality and safety control.Practical applicationsThe proposed method could be applied widely in development of traceability system and provided making‐decision for the control of meat product quality and safety.