Small Ruminant Production Systems Research Articles

Influence of dietary Salicornia europaea L. extract supplementation on feed efficiency of Altay sheep by modifying their gastrointestinal bacteria communities.

This experiment aimed to examine the impact of Salicornia europaea L. extract on sheep growth performance, rumen fermentation variables, nutrient apparent digestibility, and gastrointestinal microbial diversity. Forty-eight male Altay sheep, weighing 32.5 ± 2.8 kg and approximately 3.5 months old, were chosen. Four dietary treatments, each consisting of four replicates and three sheep per replicate, were distributed randomly to the sheep. The pelleted total mixed ration containing Salicornia europaea L. extract at 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6% DM was freely available to the sheep in the four treatment groups. The 56-day experiment consisted of 45 days of measurements followed by 11 days of adaptation. The growth performance was not affected by nutrition Salicornia europaea L. extract (p ≤ 0.05), but the feed-to-gain ratio was reduced when the extract was given at 0.4% DM (p ≤ 0.05). Compared to the 0 and 0.2% treatments, the apparent digestibility of DM, OM, NDF, and ADF was substantially greater in the 0.4, and 0.6% treatments. Furthermore, compared to sheep in the 0 and 0.2% groups, sheep in the 0.6% group had a noticeably higher apparent digestibility of CP. As the amount of Salicornia europaea L. extract added to the rumen fluid rose, the molar ratio of acetic acid increased. In contrast, the molar ratio of propionic acid gradually decreased, and the total volatile fatty acid content gradually reduced. Thus, adding a suitable quantity of Salicornia europaea L. extract to the sheep ration is natural and secure, which may improve the environmental sustainability of small ruminant production systems.

Economic impact of peste des petits ruminants on small ruminant production in Senegal: Gender considerations within a system dynamics modelling approach

CONTEXTPeste des petits ruminants (PPR) remains a persistent challenge for small ruminant production in Senegal, leading to economic losses for livestock keepers. Gender dynamics and socio-cultural factors influence production decisions at the household level. Despite its relevance, economic impact models of PPR have not incorporated gender dynamics. OBJECTIVEThis paper seeks to redress this gap by disaggregating the farm-level impacts of PPR based on the gender of the household head and implementers of routine and management activities in small ruminant production at the household level. METHODSTo quantify the gendered economic impacts of PPR, a system dynamics model was developed with four modules: integrated production-epidemiology, economics and profitability, disease control, and marketing. The model was parameterised based on survey data from 747 households in 49 agro-pastoral and pastoral villages in Senegal and augmented by secondary data. The model was validated (structurally and behaviourally) and simulated for 30 years with a weekly timestep. A set of disease scenarios were run for ten different farm household typologies based on the gender of the household head and household members who perform production management activities (like purchasing, selling, gifting, and vaccinating animals) and routine activities (like feeding, cleaning pens, and caring for sick animals). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSModel results estimated annual reductions in farm profitability of 51% to 61% with a hypothetical 25% incidence rate of PPR, corresponding to an average of $1051 to $1246 USD lost per household per year. In the two most impacted household typologies, management activities were performed by either men only or women only, and in the three least impacted household typologies, management activities were shared by men and women. The least impacted household typology with the highest gross margins without PPR ($2429 USD per year) and the lowest percentage of loss (51%) was female-headed households with men and women doing management tasks and primarily women or girls doing routine activities. SIGNIFICANCESHouseholds with both women and men engaged in management activities were less impacted by PPR, highlighting the crucial role of women's agency in management decisions taken in small ruminant production at the farm level. The findings further provide the empirical grounding for considering gender dynamics in interventions to control PPR and other livestock diseases in small ruminant production systems.

Small ruminant value chain in Al-Ruwaished District, Jordan

This study aims to assess the small ruminant value chain in Al-Ruwaished District, Jordan, to identify the potential intervention areas that could improve the production efficiency and guarantee the sustainability of the small ruminant sector in this area. Sheep breeding is the source of livelihood for most of the people in Al-Ruwaished District, which is characterized by the large number of sheep and goats. We surveyed 5.0% of the small ruminant holders in the study area and conducted individual interviews and surveys with the potential actors in the value chain to undertake a small ruminant value chain analysis. From the survey, we found that the small ruminant value chain consists of five core functions, namely, input supply, production management, marketing, processing, and consumption. Despite the large number of holdings that gives an impression of the stability to the small ruminant sector, the surveyed results show a clear fragility in the value chain of small ruminants in this area. The small ruminant production system is negatively impacted by climate change, especially continuous drought. In addition, the high prices of feed that the farmer cannot afford with clear and real absence of the governmental and non-governmental support activities also impact the development of the value chain. The results of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis reveal that the major constraints faced by this value chain could be divided into external and internal threats. Specifically, the most prominent external threats are the nature of the desert land and continuous drought, while the major internal threats are the absence of appropriate infrastructure, shortage of inputs, and weakness in the production management and marketing. We proposed solutions to these challenges to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the sector, such as the formulation of emergency response plans to severe weather, qualifying farmers’ skills, and establishment of agricultural cooperative societies.

Performance, body measurement, physiological adaptability and metabolic status of Garut sheep raised in a pen-intensive system in Indonesia

Small ruminant production systems that utilize pen-intensive systems have become more popular in Indonesia during the past few decades. It is well recognized that allowing sheep freedom to move freely outside can significantly improve their health and welfare. This study used a T test experimental design with ten replicates to compare the performance, body measurements, physiological adaptability, and metabolic status of Garut sheep raised in pen-intensive management with two different treatments (outdoor pen access vs. full indoor pen). A twenty-one-year-old sheep with an average body weight of 19.57±2.50 kg was employed in this experiment. The findings showed that neither treatment's dry matter intake (grams per head per day) nor average daily gain (grams per head per day) differed (P>0.05), but the ewes exposed to outdoor pen access had significantly longer bodies (P≤0.05) than those in the full indoor pen. The physiological health of the ewes having access to the outdoor enclosure was similarly improved (P≤0.05), especially in the morning and afternoon. Apart from plasma glucose levels, the metabolic status of the ewes in both treatment groups was similar, with the exception that the ewes with access to an outdoor enclosure had lower blood glucose (P≤0.05). Furthermore, the adaptability coefficient value was lower (P≤0.05) in compared with those without access to outdoor pen, with no different (P>0.05) in Heat Tolerance Coefficient value. In conclusion, a pen-intensive system with an outside enclosure not only increases the performance of garut ewes but also improves their physiological adaptability. This approach can be highly promoted to improve sheep farming management in Indonesia.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of Peste des petits ruminants in different production systems in Uganda

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and fatal disease of mostly domestic goats and sheep. First reported in Uganda in 2007, the extent of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) exposure, geographical distribution and risk factors of its transmission and spread are not clearly understood. In this study, we used cluster random sampling methodology to select study villages from three districts representing three different production systems along Uganda’s “cattle corridor”. Between October and December 2022, 2520 goat and sheep serum samples were collected from 252 households with no history of PPR vaccination in the past one year. The household heads were interviewed to assess possible risk factors of PPRV transmission using a structured questionnaire. The serum samples were screened with a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for PPRV antibodies. The determined overall true seroprevalence of PPRV was 27.3% [95% CI: 25.4–29.1]. The seroprevalence of PPRV antibodies in different production systems was 44.1% [95% CI: 40.6–47.7], 31.7% [95% CI: 28.4–35.0] and 6.1% [95% CI: 4.4–7.9] for pastoral, agropastoral and mixed crop-livestock production systems respectively. A mixed-effects multivariable logistic regression model revealed strong statistical evidence of association between female animals and PPRV antibody seropositivity compared to males [OR= 2.45, 95% CI: 1.7–3.5, p < 0.001]. The likelihood of being PPRV antibody seropositive significantly increased with increasing small ruminant age. Animals older than 3 years were more than three times as likely to be PPRV seropositive compared to animals aged under 1 year [OR= 3.41, 95% CI: 2.39–4.85, p < 0.001]. There was no statistical evidence of association between small ruminant species and PPRV antibody seropositivity (p = 0.423). Village flocks that interacted with neighboring flocks daily during grazing (IRR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.19–2.13) and watering around swamps (IRR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.19–2.13) were highly correlated with increased number of PPRV seropositive animals as compared to flocks that were more restricted in grazing and watered around other water sources other than swamps. Flocks from pastoral and agropastoral production systems were more than 10 times more likely to have seropositive animals than mixed crop-livestock flocks. Targeting PPR control interventions (vaccination and livestock movement control) to pastoral and agro-pastoral small ruminant production systems that are very prone to PPR incursions is recommended to prevent PPRV spread to low-risk smallholder mixed crop-livestock production systems.

Genetic associations of ewe body condition score and lamb rearing performance in extensively managed meat sheep

Many small ruminant production systems are relatively low input and rely heavily on animals grazing pastures often in extensive and harsh environmental conditions, unsuitable for any other type of agriculture. New breeding goal traits for lifetime resilience for maternal sheep breeding programmes have been investigated, focusing on body tissue mobilisation phenotypes and their genetic relationships with maternal production traits. Performance records of 8,355 Scottish Blackface ewes, from 2 extensively reared hill sheep flocks, collected over a 20-year period, were used to quantify relationships between body condition score (BCS) and the ewe's ability to successfully rear lambs. Between 14,000 and 25,000 data records per trait were available, measured across the annual sheep reproductive cycle. The pedigree file used for the analyses included sire and dam information for 50,207 animals. Most heritability estimates for the BCS traits - measured at key time points within the annual production cycle, or considering BCS changes between time points - were low, but significantly different from zero, ranging between 0.07 and 0.17. The heritability estimate for the number of lambs at pregnancy scanning was 0.09. Heritabilities for foetal loss from pregnancy scanning to lambing, lamb loss from lambing to weaning and number of lambs weaned were 0.02, 0.02 and 0.06, respectively. These estimates indicate that genetic control over the reproductive and lamb survival traits (expressed as a trait of the dam), is lower than that for BCS (and BCS changes) over the reproductive cycle. The genetic relationships amongst the BCS of ewes at pre-mating, pregnancy scan and at pre-lambing, with litter size at pregnancy scan and number of lambs weaned, were consistent. They indicate that ewes of higher body condition score (potentially over-fat, within the range recorded in these flocks) conceive, and rear, fewer lambs, with genetic correlations ranging between -0.18 and -0.58. However, post-weaning, animals with genetic propensity for greater gain in BCS from weaning to pre-mating produce larger litters and rear more lambs. In addition, the selection of ewes that lose less condition during pregnancy will reduce foetal losses. The results from this study paint a complex picture that should be interpreted in the context of specific management practices for extensively managed hill sheep, at critical times in their reproductive cycle. The traits relating to body tissue mobilisation, as assessed using BCS, are mostly heritable and their inclusion in future breeding programmes, to aid future selection for resilience, should be considered.

Modulation of feed digestibility, nitrogen metabolism, energy utilisation and serum biochemical indices by dietary Ligularia virgaurea supplementation in Tibetan sheep.

Ligularia virgaurea is the most widely functional native herbage in the alpine meadow pastures of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and has multiple pharmacological and biological activities. The effect of L. virgaurea as a dietary component on the digestion and metabolism of sheep was evaluated by conducting feeding trials in metabolic cages. Thirty-two Tibetan yearling rams (29±1.56kg BW) were randomly allotted to four groups included in a completely randomised design with eight animals per treatment. Sheep were fed a basal diet (freshly native pasture) without the addition of L. virgaurea (control) or with the addition of L. virgaurea (100, 200, or 300mg/kg BW per day) for 45days. Addition of L. virgaurea to the diet of Tibetan sheep was found to influence the average daily gain (quadratic [Q], P<0.001), feed conversion ratio (Q, P=0.002), CH4 emissions (linear [L], P=0.029), DM (Q, P=0.012), neutral detergent fibre (Q, P=0.017), acid detergent fibre (ADF) (Q, P=0.027), and ether extract (EE) intake (Q, P=0.026). Apparently, different levels of L. virgaurea affected the digestibility coefficients of DM, ADF, and EE (L, P>0.05; Q, P<0.05). The nitrogen (N) intake (Q, P=0.001), retained nitrogen (Q, P<0.001), and N utilisation efficiency (L, P>0.05; Q, P≤0.001) were also affected by the dietary inclusion of L. virgaurea. Effects of L. virgaurea feeding were also witnessed on methane energy (CH4-E) (L, P=0.029), gross energy (GE) (Q, P=0.013), digestible energy (DE) (Q, P=0.015), and metabolisable energy (ME) intake (Q, P=0.015). Energy utilisation efficiency expressed as a proportion of GE intake (DE/GE intake, ME/GE intake, ME/DE intake, FE/GE intake, and CH4-E/GE intake) manifested quadratic changes (P<0.05) with the increase in the L. virgaurea supplementation level. The addition of L. virgaurea increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (Q, P=0.026) and glutathione peroxidase activity (Q, P=0.039) in the serum. Overall, the greatest improvement of feed digestibility, N retention, energy utilisation, and antioxidant capacity of Tibetan sheep was yielded by the inclusion of 200mg/kg BW per day of L. virgaurea. Therefore, the addition of an appropriate amount of L. virgaurea to the diet of Tibetan sheep is safe and natural, and may enhance the sustainability of small ruminant production systems in QTP areas.

An initial investigation of the predatory activity of the phoretic mites of dung beetles, Macrocheles sp. (Mesostigmata: Macrochelidae), on the gastrointestinal nematode of sheep Haemonchus contortus (Strongylida: Trichostrongylidae)

Worldwide increasing levels of anthelmintic resistance are pushing farmers and health advisors towards a more sustainable management of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), one of the greatest threats to the viability of grazing small ruminant production systems, and to these animals’ welfare. These Strongyloidea develop freely in livestock dung, where they are exposed to predatory organisms that can eventually break their cycle. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of phoretic mites of dung beetles Macrocheles sp. (Macrochelidae) on the gastrointestinal nematode Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803) that has a free-living larval stage that evolves in sheep feces. Direct observations under a stereomicroscope confirmed that the studied Macrocheles mites may have an active predatory behavior on the third-stage (L3) larvae of H. contortus. In order to quantify the effects of the mites’ predation on the survival of L3 nematode larvae, we designed experimental units, replicated across five trials, and containing free-living stages of the nematode either in the presence or absence of mites. The number of H. contortus larvae that reached the third-stage was significantly reduced in the presence of mites, despite a variable intensity of the predatory effects between trials. This is the first report of a predatory activity of phoretic mites of dung beetles’ on a livestock gastrointestinal nematode. This first step encourages further studies in order to have a better quantification of this interaction, and to investigate to which extent the phoretic mites of dung beetles can impact H. contortus populations in natural conditions.

Evaluation of different ensiling methods for Saccharina latissima preservation: influence on chemical composition and in vitro ruminal fermentation

ABSTRACT Saccharina latissima is a brown seaweed that could be used in ruminant feeding, but its fast deteriorating and seasonal growth nature limit their utilisation in the practice. Ensiling could be used as a preservation method, but information of its effects on the nutritional value of the seaweed is limited. This study evaluated the in vitro ruminal fermentation of different S. latissima silages using ruminal inoculum either from goats fed a mixed diet (60:40 oat hay:concentrate) or from sheep fed a high-forage diet (90:10 alfalfa hay:concentrate) to simulate different small ruminant production systems. S. latissima was ensiled in vacuum bags without additives (Control), with formic acid (4 g/kg seaweed; FA), with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) or with LAB after a pre-wilting treatment to reach a seaweed dry matter (DM) content of 30% (30LAB). Ensiling S. latissima decreased (p < 0.05) the content in DM, neutral detergent fibre and total extractable polyphenols, but nitrogen and fat content were unaffected. For both ruminal inoculums, ensiling decreased (p < 0.05) the asymptotic gas production after 120 h of fermentation (excepting for FA silage with goats’ inoculum), but the total volatile fatty acid (VFA) production was unaffected. The VFA profile shifted towards greater (p < 0.05) acetate and lower (p < 0.05) propionate proportions in all silages compared with the pre-ensiling S. latissima. When goats inoculum was used, greater (p < 0.05) CH4 production compared with pre-ensiling S. latissima was observed in all silages, except Control one, which led to greater (p < 0.05) CH4/total VFA ratio. In contrast, no differences among samples (p > 0.05) in either CH4 production or CH4/total VFA ratio were observed when sheep’ inoculum was used. Fermentation of all samples started earlier with goats’ inoculum than with sheep’ inoculum, which was attributed to the different diet fed to the animals. These results suggest that ensiling S. latissima with either formic acid or lactic acid bacteria could be a viable conservation method to preserve the nutritive value.

Anthelmintic Efficacy in Sheep and Goats under Different Management and Deworming Systems in the Region of Lisbon and Tagus Valley, Portugal.

Infections caused by gastrointestinal parasites have been described worldwide as one of the most important issues impacting small ruminant production. The systematic administration of anthelmintic (AH) drugs without following good practice principles has led to an increase in anthelmintic resistance (AR). There is scarce information regarding AH efficacy in small ruminants in Portugal. This study aimed to characterize by in vivo methods the presence and level of AR in four farms in the region of Lisbon and Tagus Valley. All four farms kept small herds in extensive management systems and used different deworming protocols. The active substances used were fenbendazole and a combination of mebendazole plus closantel in a dosage according to the manufacturers' instructions. On day 0 (T0), fecal samples were collected from all study animals, and animals in the treatment group (n = 40) were dewormed with the AH previously chosen by the assistant veterinarian. Animals in the control group (n = 30) did not receive any AH drug. The fecal sample collection was repeated on day 15 (T15), and the control group was treated. Egg counts were performed using the McMaster method for the eggs per gram (EPG), and AR was evaluated by the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) with a 95% confidence level (CL). The results from this experiment indicated that the four farms presented AR with two farms to fenbendazole (FECRT of 48% and 85%) and two farms to mebendazole plus closantel (FECRT of 66% and 79%). These results indicate that the gastrointestinal parasites of the four studied Portuguese farms are resistant to benzimidazoles, which suggests an increase in AR regarding nematodes in small ruminant production systems in Portugal.

Population, biomass, and economic value of small ruminants in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia has a large population of small ruminants (sheep and goats) which are mostly kept in traditional subsistence production systems that are poorly described. Understanding these different systems, their population structure, biomass, production, and economic value is essential for further analysis and effective policy making. The objective of this study was to quantify these parameters for small ruminant production systems in Ethiopia to use them as a basis for analysis of disease burden within the Global Burden of Animal Diseases program. Population structure and trends of small ruminants were analyzed using data from ten annual national agriculture surveys. A stochastic herd model was used to simulate the small ruminant population, biomass, and economic value. The model was parameterised stochastically using data from statistical databases and the literature, and sensitivity analysis of main model outputs to the stochastic inputs was done. Small ruminants are held across the country mainly managed under two major production systems: the crop-livestock mixed system and the pastoral system. The small ruminant population has grown in the past 10 years with an average annual growth rate of 4.6% for sheep and 6.7% for goats. The national average small ruminant population for 2021 was projected at 96.4 (range 95.3–97.7) million heads and the mean stock biomass was about 2,129 (range 1,680–2,686) million kilograms. The monetary value of the small ruminant population was estimated at USD 5,953 (range 4,369–7,765) million. The annual monetary value of small ruminant production outputs was estimated at USD 1,969 (range 1,245–2,857) million. Although the small ruminant population is large and rapidly growing, contributing about 2% of national annual GDP, the sub-sector is characterized by low productivity, low offtake rates, and a limited range of production outputs with no signs of intensification. Efforts should be made to reduce small ruminant mortality, improve fertility, and better utilize products such as milk to improve the livelihoods of rural households and to benefit the national economy. The approaches developed in this study can be replicated in other systems and countries to reveal trends in the size and value of livestock systems, providing a better understanding of its economic importance and performance.

PSVI-10 Preliminary Evaluation of Small Ruminant Production Systems in Mississippi and the Southern US

Abstract An online survey was used to collect farmer-level data about farm characteristics, number of animals and species, and farmer socio-demographic information, to evaluate small ruminant production systems in Mississippi (MS) and the Southern USA. Survey data was collected from July 2021 to March 2022 (IRB-21-202), with 243 participants, using the support of MS Sheep and Goat Associations, and MS State University social media. Responses include farmers located in MS (66.3%), TN (9.8%), AL (6.3%), NC (3.4%), KY (2.9%), FL (2%), GA (2%), LA (2%), OK (2%), TX (2%), AR (1%), and VA (0.5%). Respondents were 53.1% females and 46% males with an average age of 45 and 48.9 years, respectively. Ethnic distribution was 96.5% non-Hispanics and 2.5% Hispanics. Race distribution was 90.2% White, 2.9% African American, 2.9% American Indian/Alaska Native, and 0.5% Asian. Educational level was 25.9% Bachelor, 24.4% Associate, 21.5% High School, and 20.5% Postgraduate. Farming experience was 30.7% (0 to 5 yr), 23.4% (6 to 10 yr), 20.5% (11 to 20 yr), 10.2% (21 to30 yr), 9.3% (31 to 40 yr), and 5.9% (&amp;gt; 40 yr). Livestock present among farms was 70% goats, 29.6% beef, 24.7% sheep, 23.4% horses, and 4.1% dairy cattle. They indicated that 44.6% had 26 to 100 animals, 27.2% had 11 to 25, 16.8% had &amp;lt;10 sheep/goats, 5.4% 101-150, 3.5% 151-20, and 2.5% &amp;gt;250. Farm size in the 39% ranged from 21 to 100 ac, 24.9% &amp;lt; 10 ac, 18% from 11 to 20 ac, and 18% &amp;gt;100 ac. These results differ from USDA (2021) by suggesting that sheep and goat producers in the Southern US are predominantly middle-aged individuals, with medium to large size farms, and low number of years of experience in farming. These findings will be used to develop future outreach and educational programs that could help producers increase production efficiency.

52 Can Annual Lespedeza (Kummerowia Stipulacea) be Used as an Anti-Parasitic Hay for Goats?

Abstract Infection with internal parasites is the primary constraint to profitable small ruminant production systems world-wide. Perennial lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) has been used as a nutraceutical (nutritional + pharmaceutical) forage for livestock, with very good bioactivity against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) and coccidia (Eimeria spp.) in sheep and goats, but the anti-parasitic bioactivity of annual lespedeza (Kummerowia stiulacea) has not been documented. An 8-week pen feeding trial was completed with yearling Spanish intact bucks (38.3 ± 3.6 kg) fed 3 treatment diets (n = 15/treatment) of 60% hay and 40% concentrate, with diets balanced for CP and energy. Hay treatments were ground ‘Korean’ annual lespedeza (AL), ‘AU-Grazer’ sericea lespedeza (SL), and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon). Blood and fecal samples were taken every 7 days throughout the study to determine packed cell volume (PCV) and GIN fecal egg counts (FEC) and coccidia fecal oocyst counts (FOC), respectively. Body weights (BW) were taken at the start and end of the trial. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with repeated measures. There was no effect of treatment, time, or treatment x time interaction on BW or PCV of the goats. Both FEC and FOC were impacted by a treatment by time interaction (P &amp;lt; 0.05). For FEC, AL goats were different from CON at all time points, but the SL group was only different from CON at d 14, 21 and 49. The AL and SL groups were different at days 35, 42 and 49 only. For FOC, AL was only different (P &amp;lt; 0.03) from CON on day 49, SL different from CON on day 42 and 49 and AL different from SL on day 42 only. Korean AL had similar anti-parasitic bioactivity as AU-Grazer SL in goats, suggesting a larger role for AL as a nutraceutical forage for livestock.

Breeding of African sheep reared under low-input/output smallholder production systems for trypanotolerance.

Trypanosomiasis is a disease caused by unicellular protozoan parasites. Small ruminants succumb to trypanosomiasis in areas of high tsetse fly challenge, resulting in serious economic loss often to farmers in low-input smallholder systems. At present, trypanosomiasis is treated with trypanocidal drugs, but access to these can be limited, and increasing parasite resistance raises questions about their efficacy. The development of trypanotolerance in small ruminant flocks through targeted breeding strategies is considered a sustainable and economical option for controlling African trypanosomiasis. Recently, quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with trypanotolerance traits in sheep have been reported. The results of these studies form the basis for more studies to identify QTLs associated with trypanosomiasis resistance, particularly in African livestock species. For example, signatures of positive selection for trypanotolerance have been identified using genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism data. However, there are several challenges in performing genetic analyses using data from low-input smallholder systems, including a lack of recorded pedigree and production records and the need for large sample sizes when flock sizes are often fewer than 50 animals. Breeding strategies to improve trypanotolerance should also preserve existing genetic diversity as well as minimize excessive genetic introgression by trypanosusceptible breeds. This review discusses the possibilities of breeding for trypanosome tolerance/resistance in low-input/low-output small ruminant production systems. Potential challenges are outlined, and potential available genetic resources are described as a foundation for future work.

Small ruminants and sustainability in Latin America & the Caribbean: Regionalization, main production systems, and a combined productive, socio-economic & ecological footprint quantification

A comprehensive evaluation of the sustainability of the Small Ruminant Production Systems (SRPS) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is crucial to better understand their main distinctive characteristics and to propose a methodological analysis to quantify the ecological, economic and social footprint of small ruminants in the LAC region; this study aims to address such issues. Although it is complex to achieve a classification of systems integrating all the different SRPS existing in the LAC region, four main systems were proposed: Silvopastoral, Extensive Agrosilvopastoral, Intensve Agrosilvopastoral, & Intensive-Industrial. During 1998–2018, the LAC-goat-sheep annual average (AA) regarding inventory was 113.7 M heads. While sheep represented 70% of LAC inventory showing an overall decrease (−8%; 316,126 sheep yr−1), goats accounted 30%, with a global 18% rise (142,744 goats yr−1). Eight countries concentrated 90% of such census, highlighting Brazil 23% (25.87 M), Argentina 16% (18.78 M), Mexico 14% (16.43 M), & Peru 14% (15.49 M). The SRPS generated an AA of milk-meat-wool protein (MMWP) of 204.5 Mt, observing a decreased trend (−18%) mainly related to a reduction in raw wool (−45%) with concomitant increases for goat meat (7%), goat milk (27%), sheep meat (15%) & sheep milk (15%). While the SRPS-LAC-AA gross economic value of production was 1772.0 MUSD, 10 countries concentrated 95% of such value, notably Argentina 452.56 MUSD (26%), Mexico 369.11 MUSD (21%), & Brazil 328.0 MUSD (19%). Regarding the environmental impact for said period, the SRPS generated AA values of 585.5 Gg-CH4, 14,649 CH4-CO2eq, 1.73 Gg N2O, 514.1 N2O-CO2eq, 15,164.3 Total Emissions- CO2eq, & an AA-BWF of 264.3 Mm3. Regarding the DGHGE (Gg of CO2eq) emissions, 75% were generated by five countries, highlighting Brazil (3445; 23%), Argentina (2477; 16%), & Mexico (2196; 14%). While the global EV of production by the SRPS-LAC was 37,212 MUSD, the total economic cost of the DGHGE was 6516 MUSD; such cost represented 18% of the EVP-SRPS-LAC. The BWF-SRPS-LAC increased by 12%, from 246.36 Mm3 in 1998–275.58 Mm3 in 2018; the main countries were Mexico (71.73 Mm3; 27%), Brazil (46.62 Mm3; 18%), & Argentina (43.81 Mm3; 16%). Interestingly, the BWF in m3 kg−1 MMWP−1 yr−1, registered an overall increase of 36%, going from 1.11 in 1998–1.51 in 2018. When breaking down the percentage contributions of the EV-Ecological Footprint (EF), 79% corresponds to the EV-BWF and the remaining 21% to the EV-CF. The less water-efficient countries were Guatemala, Bahamas & Guyana, with respective EV-BWF values of 386%, 356% & 316%. Regarding the socioeconomic impact, when transforming the EVP-SRPS-LAC into minimum wages, a global growth of 139% was observed; from 200,000 (1998) to 478,000 (2018) annual minimum wages (AMW). Mexico displayed the highest growth while the largest AMW-contribution across years, with 172,587 AMW, an AA increase of 7243 MW and a grand total MW-contribution (GTMWC) of 3,624,307 MW across years. Our methodological approach demonstrate that the SRPS-LAC are an eco-friendly while sustainable option in the face of climate change. However, this sustainability is not homogeneous throughout the study region; further studies must address this type of environmental impact by the SRPS-LAC in a regionalized fashion within the LAC-region; it is certainly a pending assignment. According to our results, it is fundamental to generate transformation and revaluation strategies based on a circular bio-economy perspective, to better understand how these various SRPS products and services benefit the environment, the producer and his family.

Small Ruminant Production Systems and Actual Circumstances for Small and Disadvantaged Farmers

Small Ruminant Production Systems and Actual Circumstances for Small and Disadvantaged Farmers

Sistemas de producción de pequeños rumiantes en México y su efecto en la sostenibilidad productiva

En el sector de los pequeños rumiantes existe un gran interés en medir y mejorar sus sistemas de producción y desempeño ambiental, pues poseen una gran adaptabilidad y habitan distintos ecosistemas, con una gran biodiversidad de recursos alimenticios, el pastoreo genera beneficios económico-productivos y medio ambientales. Pero, el manejo no planificado y la sobreexplotación de recursos naturales de estas zonas han ocasionado erosión, agotamiento del agua y desertificación, lo mismo ocurre con los sistemas intensivos de producción y la agricultura que alimenta estas explotaciones. Para comparar innovaciones científicas en la sustentabilidad de los diferentes sistemas de producción de pequeños rumiantes, se realizó un análisis bibliométrico para describir las ventajas y desventajas del manejo de los sistemas de producción extensivos, semi-intensivos e intensivos en la sustentabilidad de pequeños rumiantes. Existe una preocupación de la sociedad por el impacto ambiental de los sistemas de producción y que se realicen de manera sustentable. Esta tendencia influye en la producción de ovinos, cabras y venado cola blanca, que se desarrollan en sistemas intensivos, semi-extensivos y extensivos. Dada la presión para aumentar el volumen y la eficiencia de la producción, los sistemas intensivos son más adecuados, pero enfrentan mayores problemas ambientales como, la emisión gases de efecto invernadero (GEI) y de bienestar animal. Por otro lado, los sistemas semi-extensivos y extensivos también producen GEI, pero se asocian con mayor bienestar animal y producción más limpia, pero se ven afectados por las variaciones estacionales para la producción de forraje para mantener los niveles de producción.

Effect of nutritional stress on physiological parameters and seminal attributes of native-crossbred ram in semi-arid tropics.

A prolific three-breed (Malpura, Patanwadi, and Garole) cross Avishaan sheep has been developed in the semi-arid zone to improve farmer's income. Nutritional scarcity is a major limitation in animal husbandry during the dearth period of semi-arid tropics. Therefore, before the inaugural launch of the breed into the field, a study was designed to evaluate the effect of nutritional stress on physiological parameters and seminal attributes of native-crossbred rams in semi-arid tropics. Thus, 16 native adapted (Malpura) and 16 native-crossbred rams were equally distributed into four groups, namely, native control (G1), native nutritional stress (G2), native-crossbred control (G3), and native-crossbred nutritional stress (G4). Both the control groups (G1 and G3) were kept on their maintenance requirement as per their body weight, whereas the nutritional stress groups (G2 and G4) were provided 30% less than their maintenance requirement. The body weight of G4 decline (P<0.05) as compared to their initial weight. The plasma glucose level of G2 and G4 reduced (P<0.05) in comparison with G1 and G3, respectively. The total motile sperm percentage, rapid motile sperm percentage, and sperm viability decrease significantly (P<0.05) within the acceptable limit in native-crossbred rams(G4) under nutritional scarcity. However, the similar blood biochemical along with acceptable seminal attributes of all the rams reflected that native-crossbred rams can cope with the nutritional scarcity in semi-arid tropics and have the potential to contribute to the sustainable small ruminant production system for livelihood security in this region.

Conjunctival mucous membrane colour as an indicator for the targeted selective treatment of haemonchosis and of the general health status of peri-urban smallholder goats in southern Malawi

The world’s growing population is becoming increasingly centred around large cities, affording opportunities for peri-urban food production. Goats are well-suited to conversion of resources that are available in peri-urban settings into meat and occasionally milk. Haemonchus contortus has been described as “the nemesis of small ruminant production systems in tropical and subtropical regions”; hence control of haemonchosis through planned animal health management affords a pragmatic first step in improving the production efficiency of peri-urban goats. This study of peri-urban goat production investigated the potential value of targeted selective treatment of haemonchosis. 452 peri-urban goat keepers in southern Malawi were visited during three seasonal periods with relevance to the epidemiology of haemonchosis. 622, 599 and 455 individually identified goats were clinically examined during the dry season, the rainy season, and shortly after the end of the rainy season, respectively. Data were recorded for sex, age, weight, conjunctival mucous membrane colour score (FAMACHA©), body condition score (BCS) and faecal worm egg count (FEC); and where possible for pregnancy and lactation status. Animals with pale ocular mucous membranes were treated with 10 mg/kg albendazole, then re-examined 14 days later. Animals with pink mucous membranes, but FECs ≥250 eggs per gram were also re-examined and treated 14 days later. The results show high variability in growth rates deduced from the ages and bodyweights of each of 999 goats at the time of their enrolment. FAMACHA© scores alone were a poor index for the targeted selective treatment of haemonchosis, because they failed to identify too many animals that would have required treatment at different times of year and using different FAMACHA© and FEC cut-offs. Combining the indices of FAMACHA© scores ≥4, body condition scores ≥2, and age >18 months was more reliable in identifying those animals requiring treatment when different epidemiologically-relevant FEC thresholds for different seasons were taken into account. Inclusion of late pregnancy or early lactation status would have resulted in very few animals requiring treatment being missed. The use of conjunctival mucous membrane colour scoring in this way provided a valuable insight of the general health status of the peri-urban goats, to create opportunities for planned animal health management to improve productivity. The efficacy of albendazole treatment was poor, putatively due to drug resistance, or poor drug bioavailability in goats. In summary, our study shows opportunities for better production efficiency in peri-urban goats, and demonstrates the value of simple clinical diagnostic indices as decision support tools in planned animal health management.

192 Towards Year-Round Grazing in the Southeastern U.S

Abstract Winter feeds costs for small ruminants exceeds 50% of the total cost of most small ruminant production systems in the Southeastern U.S. Keeping these feed costs low is one of the most effective and time-tested ways to improve farm profitability. While maintaining an appropriate stocking rate will be critical for sustaining long-term farm productivity, a suite of other management practices is available to assist in this objective. Installing appropriate fence and watering system infrastructure for managing grazing will be critical for improving harvest efficiency and stockpiling forages for utilization when forage growth is limited. Filling gaps in forage production may also be achieved through the strategic use of a number of forage species, including warm-season or cool-season forages and annual or perennial forages. Managing stored forages appropriately during storing and feeding will help minimize feed losses, while producing quality hay will reduce the need for supplementary feeds. With the adoption of these proven practices, sheep and goat production may be optimized by allowing them to harvest their own feed almost year-round in the Southeastern U.S.