Effects of Production System on Reproduction Efficiency in Dairy Sheep

Abstract

Aim of the current research was to evaluate the effects of the rearing system, organic versus conventional, on the reproduction efficiency when rearing Turcana sheep under extensive low-input conditions. The study flocks consisted out of 120 adult multiparous ewes, managed under conventional and organic production systems, with ewes being reared for dairy production under highland areas. Conception rates were on average of 96.6±0.84% and 97.5±0.66% in organic and conventional system, respectively (p>0.05), while the prolificacy was of 124.6±1.47% for the organically reared ewes, and of 118.3±1.23% for those reared under conventional system (p≤0.05). Milking ability of dam- ewes from lambing till 28 days, was of 4.86±1.44 kg on the organic flock and of 4.45±2.10 kg for the conventional animals (p>0.05). Survival rates of the lambs from birth till the age of weaning (70±10 days of age) were of 94.3±1.68 % and 95.7±0.33 % for the organic produced lambs and the conventional born ones, respectively (p≤0.05). Current results outline that the production system when dairy sheep are concerned, has an effect on the reproduction efficiency and on the overall farm returns, give that lamb production represents an important source of income in commercial farms.

Keywords

• organic systems
• production efficiency
• reproduction output
• sheep
• turcana