Foreword

The economic transition in Central and Eastern European countries brought about significant changes also into the small ruminant production sector. Sheep and goat production, like the entire animal production sector, is forced to adjust its organization, structure and approach to the requirements of the market, while, at the same time - due to the lower standard of living - it becomes an essential subsistence activity for a growing number of household farms.

The genetic improvement, organization of breeding, research, extension services, alternative utilization of small ruminants as well as total quality management were among the main subjects discussed at the international workshop on "Sheep and Goat Husbandry in the Central and Eastern European Countries - A Struggle to Survive " organized in Budapest (Hungary) from 29^th November - 3^rd December 1997 by the Research Institute for Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Herceghalom, Hungary in close collaboration and sponsorsmurahip of FAO Subregional Office for Central and Eastern Europe, as well as FAO-CIHEAM and the European Association of Animal Production (EAAP). Hundred twenty participants from 22 countries participated in the workshop, which was very timely organized, providing the excellent opportunity for exchange of information and experience, as well as discussing possible options and ways to remedy present difficulties.

The proceedings, presented here, provide complete set of papers delivered during the Workshop as well as summary of a round-table discussion conducted at the end of the Workshop. Final conclusion may be drawn that while some of producers are struggling to survive, the others are meeting the challenge of the change, looking for innovative approaches, diversifying production, introducing total quality management and opening for the market in the attempt to reach the main goal - the long term economical sustainability.

• Z. S. Karnicki
  FAO Subregional Representative
  for Central and Eastern Europe

Acknowledgement

The initiative and effort of Dr. Sandor KUKOVICS, Research Institute for Animal Breeding and Nutrition to organize and conduct efficiently the Workshop as well as print the proceedings, is greatly appreciated and acknowledged.

Also excellent organizational arrangements for the Workshop provided by Mrs. Klara BISZKUP is recognised.

The summary of the workshop

Main purpose of the workshop

The aim of the workshop was: to summarize the situation of sheep and goat husbandry in the different countries within the Central and Eastern European region, to get the necessary information about the changes occurring in these countries, about the tendencies and the possible relationships in the future, to determine the possible conditions for the future development in the region.

Participants

There were eighty participants attending the technical tour, while one hundred took part in the workshop. In addition to participants for Central and European Countries experts from France, Germany. United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Greece were also present. In total 24 countries were represented.

The programme of the workshop

Breeding livestock as well as sheep and goat products exhibition

Within the animal show, those sheep breeds were presented which were bred in the north-east region of Hungary. The following companies and breeds could be seen within the show in Gelej:
· Awassi Corporation, Bakonszeg (Awassi ewes and female hoggets);
· Bábolna Corporation, Szendr Branch, Szendr (Suffolk-, Ile de France and Bábolna Tetra ewes and rams);
· Csenger Co-operative, Tibota Co., Csenger (Fertile Merino ewes);
· South-Borsod Co-operative for Fish and Sheep Farming, Gelej (Merino, [Merino x Pleven Blackhead] F1 - and Pleven F1 x Black East-Friesian ewes);
· Hajdúböszörmény Star Co-operative, Hajdúböszörmény (Hungarian Merino and Mutton Merino ewes);
· Hortobágy Public Utility Company for Environmental Protection and Gene Conservation, Hortobágy (Black- and White Hortobágy Racka and Transylvanian Racka ewes and rams);
· Ságia Agricultural and Trade Ltd, Tiszacsege (Texel ewes and rams).

The following sheep and goat products of different companies were presented within the products exhibition:
· Awassi Corporation, Bakonszeg (different kinds of curds, cheeses and cottage cheeses, smoked and pickled meat products, wool products made for the automobile industry);
· South-Borsod Co-operative for Fish and Sheep Farming, Gelej (different kinds of curds, cheeses and cottage cheeses, different wool products: blankets, cushions, mattresses, waist-warmers, etc.,);
· Kistelek M+M Cheese Making Ltd, Kistelek (different kinds of feta type cheeses, cottage cheeses, light and hard cheeses);
· University of Veterinary Sciences, Experimental Institute, Üll-Dóramajor (goat cheeses, goat sausages and smoked goat meats);
· Agricultural Public Utility Company, Szarvas (sheep and cow cheeses with different flavours);
· Pilis Goat Farm, Pilisszentlászló (kefir and different cheeses based on goat milk);
· Gyosa Family Farm, Hajdúszoboszló (special goat cheeses);
· Nagykunság Goat and Sheep Milk Producers' Society, Kunhegyes (sheep and goat cheeses);
· Shepard's Cheese Ltd, Berettyóújfalu (different light and hard cheeses, curds and cottage cheeses from goats and sheep milk);
· Zemplén Goat Breeders' Co-operative, Hollóháza (goat cheeses with different flavours).

Scientific programme

The sessions were started with so-called country reports, following the English alphabetical order; the representatives of four countries in each session presented the situation of sheep and goat breeding in his/her own homeland. These country reports were followed by different papers, short papers and posters.

Session 1.

• Present situation in small ruminants sector (farming structure and size, production systems, type of products and their markets)
  Following the country reports from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria and Croatia, the authors presented their most up-to-date results in seven papers and on five posters.

Session 2.

• Organization of sheep and goat breeding and extension services, research impact on husbandry.
  After the country reports of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary and Latvia, four papers and five posters were delivered.

Session 3.

• Priorities of technical issues to solve (reproduction, nutrition, health, genetic improvement, etc.)
  There were seven papers and five posters presented after the country reports of Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland and Romania.

Session 4.

• Alternative utilization of small ruminants (environmental concerns of land management and its social aspects)
  The country reports from Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Yugoslavia were followed by the presentation of four papers and two posters.
  Session 5.
  Achieving economic sustainability - a challenge
  The present situation of the sheep and goat industry in Armenia, White-Russia and Ukraine were introduced; however, only the first one was a country report. After these presentations eight papers were delivered.

Round-table discussion

The participants were expected to find the proper answers to the following questions:
· Which production systems can be managed most effectively in the region?
· Which are the basic conditions that should be available for effective management?
· Which are the possible means of improvement under the present circumstances?
· What are the future possibilities?

Recommendations

The workshop concluded with the following general recommendations for countries of the region:
· Size of the population of small ruminants should match market demand and economic profitability.
· Efficient production systems should be introduced using the most appropriate breeds and technologies.
· The market for sheep and goats and products made of them, including by-products should be further developed. This should include an increase in national consumption as well as better utilization of export opportunities.
· Quality requirements of the market should be determined, met and maintained with the aim to increase consumer's interest and confidence in the products.
· An efficient extension system, able to deliver directly to farmers the most up-to-date scientific and development results, should be established.
· The proper exploitation of pasture lands, landscape management as well as environmental protection are of growing importance and should be pursued.
· Without the integration of producers, small farms will possibly be unable to survive in the near future, thus the creation of proper organizations is encouraged.
· A network, linked to FAO-CIHEAM Co-operative Network on Sheep and Goats, able to assist in harmonization of research and development activities in the area of small ruminants in the region should be established.

• • • • • • • • • • Sándor KUKOVICS
                    Editor

THE PRESENT STATE OF SHEEP AND GOAT FARMING
IN ALBANIA

Kume, Kristaq
Livestock Research Institute, Tirana
Albania

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ABSTRACT

• • • • • • • • During the years 1991-95 the number of the small ruminants increased, with about 47 percent in sheep and around 41 percent in goats. At the end of 1996 in Albania, 1 453 000 sheep and 895 000 heads of goats were kept. From about 420 000 private farms, nearly 49 percent of them do not keep goats and about 39 percent do not raise sheep. The small farms with 1-30 animals are the characteristic ones.
                The farms with more than 100 sheep account for about 0.3 percent of the total number and those with more than 100 goats account for about 0.4 percent. The average farm-size is 1.5-2 hectares of cultivated land. The system of production is extensive. The animals are kept based on the traditional methods, principally through the exploitation of the natural pastures and the spontaneous flora resources. The cultivated pastures and concentrated feed provide a small percentage of the feed requirements.
                The products from the small ruminants, in their biggest part, serve to fulfil the family needs. Their marketing is limited and difficult due to the lack of the required infrastructure. The process of milk collection and processing is in its first steps. The meat is sold as live animals directly to the market by the farmers themselves. Not any other product is exported except the fresh or half-processed skins.
                The goat genetic fund is composed of the local indigenous populations and different ecotypes are distinguished. Because of the systems of production, the level of the production is relatively low, about 80-90 kg milk/goat/year. A limited number of two goat breeds, Saanen and Alpine, have been imported. Their crosses with local breeds are under study.
                Almost the whole population has been crossed with Tsigaya and Merino breeds. The sheep found in the North and North-eastern zone of the country, which represent the group of the indigenous sheep populations, make an exception.
                The actual strategy of sheep breed improvement in Albania aims at the creation of a meat producing sheep for coastal and plain areas and a milk and meat producing one for the hilly mountainous zone. The wool is considered as a by-product.
                The practice of rented animals/barns does not exist in Albania. The pastures close to the village are in communal use. The alpine pastures are state owned and are leased. The pastures in lowland area are rented, too. Usually the labour used on the farm is provided by the family itself. For flocks with more than 80-100 sheep/goats the practice of employees paid in nature (products) is used. Generally, the lambing/kidding system is annual. The mechanization of the production on the farms almost does not exist.
                The process of the farmers' co-operation has just started. The state encourages and supports that process. The structures of the extension service are state ones and are established at the level of the commune. Farmers are taxfree producers and the government assists them through the establishment and functioning of animal health service structures. Actually, the problems to be solved are those linked with the setting up of the structures for processing and marketing of the animal products. The financial credit system needs to be developed and more active. Consultancy and the support for solving the problems of animal feeding present a condition to the specialization and the intensification of the production.
                From the economical point of view, the farms with more than 100 animals, which also have solved the problem of milk processing, seem to be more efficient.
                Along with the projects of the NGOs, the government has designed and is implementing programmes which aim to reactivate the centres of milk collection and processing, especially in the rural remote zones.

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INTRODUCTION

For centuries, the Albanian farmer has considered the sheep and goats as traditional animals. Even nowadays, the growing of these animals is one of the important directions in animal production. The statistics of 1996 show that the small ruminants provide 32.6 percent and 18.3 percent of the total national meat and milk production, respectively.
During the years 1991-1994, in which political and economic transformations towards the market economy took place, the populations of these two species significantly increased. In 1995, in comparison with the year 1991, the population of sheep was about 45 percent greater, and that of the goats around 43 percent. The year 1996 presents a decrease in the number of heads for both species: it is about 498 000 heads of sheep (from these 283 000 ewes) and about 400 000 goats (from these 255 000 does) less.
Among the principal factors which influenced that decrease, the fraudulent pyramid schemes can be distinguished as a factor with a strong effect. During this year, many Albanian farmers sold their animals for meat consumption, with the idea of getting financial means by being involved in these schemes.

THE SMALL RUMINANTS ON FARMS

There are 421 800 private farms in Albania and from these 254 000 keep sheep and 213 000 raise goats. In about 40-45 percent of these farms both species are kept, in ratios that vary widely. The average number of the animals on the farms that keep small ruminants is different for different zones of Albania. Thus, in the farms situated on the coastal-plane area, flocks with an average number of 10-15 sheep are kept, and the average number of goats per flock vary from of 5 to 10 heads. In the hilly-mountainous zone of southern and south-eastern Albania, the farms keeping flocks with 40-50 sheep or 50-60 goats are more frequent, while in Albania's northern, north-eastern and eastern zones, the average number of sheep per flock varies in the limits of 20-30 heads and that of goats from 10 to 30 heads. This variability in the size of the flock is determined to a big part by the surface of the land the private farmers own and also by the surfaces of the pastures and terrain in communal use. As the average surface of the arable land per farm in Albania is 1-1.4 hectares, the availability of the communal pastures presents an important factor influencing the size of the small ruminants flocks. According to statistical data of the year 1996, the structure of the farms keeping sheep or goats in Albania is presented in Table 1.
As can be seen, about 45.7 percent of the farms keep 1-30 sheep and about 54.3 percent 1-30 goats. A characteristic in Albania is the existence of small-holder farms. However, during the last three years the number of farms raising more than 50 goats or sheep has increased from 0.7 percent to 2.0 percent and from 1.2 to 2.4 percent, respectively.
Table 1. The farm structure based on the number of animals kept

THE FARMING SYSTEMS

In general, the small ruminants farming system in Albania is an extensive one. It is based on the traditional concept of year-round use of the natural grazing resources. Nevertheless, the characteristics of this system vary in the function of the flock size and geo-climatic conditions. Thus, the farmers who keep small flocks with 5-10 heads, group their animals in the pasture during the day under the supervision of a shepherd, and in the evening keep their flocks in environments close to the house. The flocks of 70-80 animals, are kept in the stable during winter and graze in the pastures close to the village, while in summer the animals are grouped in 2-3 bigger flocks and are transferred to the summer pastures on the mountain. The flocks of 100-200 animals are in motion all year. In the period November-March they move to the pastures of the coastal area and during April-October they move to the mountainous pastures. This system is especially common in sheep keeping.
The farmers who keep sheep in the lowland area, in order to fulfil animal feed needs and exploit the natural pastures, use the grazing of corn harvesting leftovers in the fields and cultivate forages such as alfalfa and green oat. These are used as green feed and also as hay during the winter time. In general, the concentrated feeds, principally maize corn and bran, are used in limited quantities and only 1-2 months before lambing. During the winter time the farmers of the hilly-mountainous zone feed the small ruminants with dried oak leaves or hay which have been prepared during summer. Farms with small ruminants having intensive production systems are not yet created in Albania, and there are very few sheep flocks where semi-intensive production systems are applied. The latter are found more in the lowland area and they are directed toward meat production. The small ruminants are raised by the Albanian farmers for meat, milk, wool and skin production, which in a large part are used for family consumption. The principal direction of the production varies according to the species and the geo-climatic zones. The goats in Albania are kept for a double purpose: milk and meat. The milk is consumed as fresh milk and a good part of it is processed into cheese, sometimes mixed with cow milk. The processing methods are skilled ones. Usually the milk is processed by the farmers themselves, but local processors also exist who collect the milk from the farms. The meat production is realized through raising kids, which are slaughtered after weaning time or at the age of 3-4 months. In the mountainous zones of Albania, the farmers use the wool and the skin for clothing and carpets (both sheep and goats). The direction of production in the sheep kept in different zones of Albania is different. Actually in the coastal-lowland zone which is more developed in the social - economical point of view and the most populated zone, which is more developed in the social-economical point of view and the most populated one, the principal direction of the production is meat. In the hilly-mountainous zone the flocks kept principally for milk production predominate. Today, the wool is considered as a by-product of a little value. The sheep milk is usually used for family consumption, fresh or processed curd and cheese. The surplus of the products beyond the quantities for family needs are sent to the market. Actually the predominant way of marketing milk is selling it to the milk collectors who further process it. The meat is marketed as live animals by the farmers themselves. This is done on fixed days of the week in the markets situated close to the towns. The export of the milk and its processed products and that of the meat has not yet started. The export of the skins has developed quick during the last five years. The main characteristic of the goat genetic fund in Albania, is the existence of the pure indigenous genetic material. The studies done on the Albanian goat population have shown that from the evolutionary aspect it may be classified in primary population groups, in which the process of the standardization is present. Although a variability among the populations kept in different geo-climatic zones of Albania exists, the variability in the visible genetic profile, in the morpho-biometric characteristics, the polymorphism of the milk proteins and the differences in the production and reproduction figures, the studies have shown that they can be considered as a genetic entity with the same origin in which the genetic niches are found. Classifying the goat populations in ecotypes, based on the surveys and measurements performed, we get the information shown in Table 2.
These ecotypes take about 27 percent of the total population. The other part is composed of indigenous goat flocks not classified in ecotypes and other crosses with the above-mentioned ecotypes.

THE GOATS

According to the statistical data, the milk yield per goat in 1996 was 85 kg. This low figure is due to the systems of production. The Albanian farmer, owing to the lack of the required infrastructure which could ensure the evaluation of this product through its collection and processing, is interested in getting a production with the minimum material and financial means possible. At the same time, we must emphasize that the genetic capacity of the Albanian goat is much higher; e.g., in selected and well managed flocks, especially with feed at an acceptable level, the Velipoja ecotype has produced 520 kg milk/goat/year and the Mati ecotype achieved 430 kg /goat/year. In Albania only two goat breeds, in a limited number, are imported: Saanen and Alpine. The actual population of Saanen goats is 350 heads, and its crosses with the local breeds make 3200 goats. The Alpine breed is represented by a flock of 80 goats and its crosses of 200-220 heads. The Albanian farmer is interested in both breeds and he actually keeps them according to the concept "the goat of the family", meaning 1-2 goats per family. Their F1 crosses, according to our surveys, have expressed very good qualities. The milk production data got under extensive keeping conditions are about 90-120 percent higher. Meanwhile, the animals have inherited and expressed good qualities in facing the difficult environmental conditions.
Table 2. Average data for the goat ecotypes in Albania

		E C O T Y P E S
Description	Unit	Dragobi	Has	Velipoje	Mat	capore	Shyte	Liqenas	Dukat	Muzhake
Number (goats)	Heads	10 000	50 000	3 300	80 000	25 000	2 000	10 000	14 000	45 000
Withers height	Cm	56-68	58-73	57-72	57-73	53-71	54-70	64-72	51-63	54-68
Live weight goat	Kg	48-56	49-58	44-55	43-52	41-52	44-53	42-50	25-32	29-37
L. Weight B. goat	Kg	76-89	87-97	68-79	68-81	65-76	67-80	65-78	40-46	43-52
Birth LW Males	Kg	1.9-2.6	1.9-2.7	2.1-3.1	1.9-2.9	1.6-2.1	1.72.2	1.6-2.2	1.2-2.0	1.4-2.6
Birth LW Females	Kg	1.6-2.2	1.6-2.6	2.0-3.0	1.9-2.0	1.5-2.0	1.5-2.0	1.4-2.0	1.0-2.0	1.1-2.4
Weaning LW Mal	Kg	10-13	12-16	12-15	10-13	7-10	7-9	7-9	5-8	6-10
Weaning LW Fem	Kg	9-12	11-14	10-13	4-12	6-9	6-8	6-8	4-8	5-10
Milk yield	Kg	100-220	90-210	130-240	105-240	120-230	110-190	90-220	80-190	80-230
Prolificity	%	100-112	95-110	105-115	105-120	90-105	90-105	100-110	100-105	100-105

SHEEP BREEDS

During the last 40 years, in the biggest part of the sheep population, crossing with the imported breeds has been applied. Different Merino and Tcigaya types are found in it. The intention has been the increase of the wool yield, in quantity and quality, and the improvement of the milk yield, as well. The aim of these crosses is the improvement of the morpho-biometrical figures and animals' live weight. In general, the crosses were not implemented in the framework of a national programme with clear objectives and defined ways. A consequence of that is the existence of a high variability among the flocks, especially in the coastal-lowland part of Albania where about 350 000 sheep, or 25 percent of the population, are kept. Actually, a new strategy on sheep breed improvement is being applied in Albania. In the coastal-lowland part of the country the implementation of the terminal crossing with the Ile de France breed is foreseen, while in the hilly-mountainous zones the local sheep will continue to be improved through the crossing until F2 with Tcigaya and Awassi breeds and Bardhoka indigenous breed with the objective to increase first the milk yield and secondly the live weight and meat production quality. Besides the indigenous sheep known as "Rrecka" in the central, southern and south-eastern Albania, the indigenous sheep genetic fund is localized in the northern and north-eastern zones. In this area it is preserved as a purebred. The main average data of the local breeds are given in Table 3.
Table 3. The average data for the sheep of the local breed

Breed	Number heads `000	Live weight kg	Wither Height cm	Production milk wool kg kg			fertility %		Birth.l.weig M F kg kg			weaning.l.weig M F kg kg
Rrecka	182.0	30-35	40-45	40-50	1.2	105		1.8		1.6	10.1		9.3
Ruda	114.0	44-46	56-58	80 -110	1.4	16		2.6		2.4	13.5		13.0
Bardhoke	61.8	46-50	58-64	90 -130	2.0	110		2.4		2.1	13.0		12.4
Shkodrane	24.6	36-39	40-45	80-90	2.5	110		2.2		2.0	11.2		10.8
Bace	22.2	42-45	50-56	100-110	2.3	115		2.5		2.3	13.2		12.7
Lare e Matit	9.0	33-35	40-45	60-65	1.2	110		2.1		1.8	11.2		10.5
Lare e Polisit	3.5	30-35	40-46	60-65	1.3	108		2.0		1.7	11.0		10.5

Actually, in Albania the total number of the small ruminants is found in private ownership. Every farmer keeps his animals and they are not leased. The same applies for the barns. Only the natural pastures near the village are in communal use. The alpine summer pastures are property of the state and they are rented to the farmers to exploit them. The pastures are also leased in the coastal-lowland zones where the animals from the mountainous areas of Albania come to pass the winter period.
In general, on the farms with small-size flocks, it is the family that looks after the animals. Also frequent used is the system where some family farms group their animals into big flocks and pay a shepherd to care for them. The payment is done in animal products: milk, meat or wool. In the migrating flocks two practices are frequent: either the farmer himself cares for the animals, or he employs a shepherd to look after the flock and is paid in goods. The most frequent lambing system in Albania is the annual one. In the coastal-lowland area the lambing starts at the end of November and in the mountainous areas it is concluded by the end of February. In some cases the culling ewes are stimulated with G.S.P.M and new lambing out of season is taken. The goats too, kid annually during the period January-March, with respect to the geo-climatic zones in which they are found.
As mentioned above, the Albanian farmer feeds the small ruminants by exploitation of the environment grazing capacities. The purchased feed, mainly maize corn or bran, make a small percentage of the feeding ration. All this is due to the lack of a market which could absorb the animal products, and to the low economic level of the farmer. Influential is the fact that the average farm size is very small and the family farm has to get everything from it. This explains why the farm mechanization level is very low, too. Further, the credit system in Albania, which could strongly exert its effect on the mechanization level, is very fragile and operates with much difficulty, and in general it can be considered as an inactive one.

ORGANIZATIONS

The processes of farming farmers' co-operatives are in the first steps. Actually, only the National Small Ruminants Production Association is institutionalized and it has so far had a modest activity and geographical extension. Such a fact is a consequence of the low development level of the Albanian farm and the need, yet without real support, for its further development. In a more general sense, this is a consequence of the economic level of the Albanian society. Nevertheless, as a need of the process of the production, often farmers have sought and realized the co-operation among them. They particularly feel this co-operation in the realization of the exchange of the breeding material and in the establishment of the rules for the communal use of the natural feed resources. The groups of farmers keeping the sheep of Rude, Bardhoke and Shkodrane breeds and those of such goat ecotypes as Mati, Dragobi, Dukati, Liqenasi, Muzhake etc., in flocks of more than 50 animals, have extended their co-operation in milk collection and marketing. Such organizations, however, remain at the level of fulfilling needs of the moment. These are not yet institutionalized as organizations which could undertake and solve, at the required technical level, the complex problems of animal production.
Taking into consideration the farmers' low co-operation level and being aware of the importance of the technical information, the Albanian government has undertaken and is realizing the creation and the development of the structures which must provide the technical advice and technology transfer to the private farms. This process is developing according to the strategy designed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food in collaboration with its research institutes and with the financial and technical support from international organizations. Actually, in Albania governmental structures are created and operate which are responsible for producing the messages and all the required information for the transfer of in the production technology innovations, but at the same time, practically realize this transfer to the farmer's level. The aim is to provide the Albanian farmer with the required help and technical assistance needed for solving his problems. Actually this assistance is focused upon the problems of feeding small ruminants according to the different physiological situations, the ways to efficiently use of the natural feed resources, the problems of animal health and reproduction, housing and milk processing. Concerning breed improvement problems, under the actual conditions found in Albania, we can say that the possibilities for their scientific treatment are limited. What can be done today is only the organization of fairs and exhibitions through which the evaluation of the best reproducers may be realized and the exchange of the genetic material may take place among the farmers. Geo-climatic conditions and the quantity of the spontaneous vegetation cover have always favoured the development of small ruminants in Albania. Having that as a main activity, the Albanian farmer has found solutions which harmonize well development with the requirements for environmental protection. Special care is shown for the forest protection and we can say that, in general, the sylviculture and the small ruminants, especially the goats, are complementary to each other.

MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMY

The main scope of the management of small ruminants in small flocks, is the provision of animal products for family needs. This and the lack of a real possibility for data collection and financial-economic information from the farms of such size, makes their economic evaluation very difficult. Yet, we can state that the bigger the flock size, the higher the economic profitability. Two of the principal needs of the farmers who are more specialized in keeping small ruminants are: to get low interest credit to build milk processing units and to establish the structures which could realize the marketing of the animal products.

SHEEP AND GOAT HUSBANDRY IN BOSNIA AND

• HERZEGOVINA

Muratovi, S. Brodlija, K.
Domba, E. Farm of sheep husbandry
Faculty of Agriculture Kakanj
Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina

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ABSTRACT

Bosnia and Herzegovina has some 5.1 million hectares of land, half of which is agricultural and a further 45 percent is covered in forests. Within the agricultural land area, about 40 percent is arable, 55 percent is meadows and pastures and 5 percent is orchards and vineyards.

• • • • • • • • Bosnia and Herzegovina is mainly mountainous or hilly, cultivation taking place in the valleys and grazing on hillsides.
                In 1991 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the total number of sheep and ewes were 1 317 000 and 971 000 heads, respectively. Ninety-nine percent of the animals were in private hands, and only 1 percent of them was organized.

In the same year, the average milk and wool yield of the ewes were 30 litres and 1.3 kilograms, the reproduction level was 102 percent.

• • • • • • • • One of the main reasons for low production on the individual farms is the absence of scientific research work with farmers for many years (80 years).
                Implementation of the sheep and goats husbandry rehabilitation program should include extension service and rehabilitation of scientific research work, where a State programme of domestic breeds protection and development will be included.
                Bosnia and Herzegovina needs the assistance and support of the International community in its struggle to preserve sheep and goat husbandry.

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INTRODUCTION

Bosnia and Herzegovina is situated in Southeastern Europe. It is almost land-locked and has a continental climate except for the immediate hinterland of the Dalmatian coast, which has a Mediterranean climate.
Bosnia and Herzegovina has about 5.1 million hectares of land, half of which is agricultural and a further 45 percent is covered by forests. Within the agricultural land area, about 40 percent is arable, 55 percent is meadows and pastures and 5 percent is orchards and vineyards.
Historically, settlement has been in the valleys, with individual sheep farms at higher altitudes.
STATUS OF SHEEP AND GOATS HUSBANDRY IN 1991

The number of sheep by category in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1991 was as follows:

Table 1. Number of sheep by category and ownership (in `000 heads) in B&H

Table 2 contains the average production of sheep milk, wool and sheep slaughtered in the private sector in 1991.

Table 2. Average production milk, wool and slaughtered sheep

One of the main reasons for low production on the individual farms is the absence of scientific research work and extension services with farmers for many years (80 years).
The goat population is relatively low as a result of an edict prohibiting their husbandry since 1951. This appears to have been considered as a soil and forestry conservation measure and the keeping of goats are still regarded as controversial by a number of observers.

STATUS OF SHEEP AND GOAT HUSBANDRY IN 1997

The reconstruction of small ruminant livestock sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina need settling statistics data.
Recently, we have visited two locations (Travnik and Livno) and collected some data.
The Travnik area in 1991 had 49 000 sheep, and now the number of sheep has decreased to 22 000 (breed Pramenka - Vlai). The number of sheep in a flock is 60 heads (22-150). Farmers have about 1.5 ha of land (average) on the Vlai Mountain. In the summer, feeding of the sheep is conducted on the Vlai's grassland. During the wintertime (November to April) farmers go to North Bosnia (areas Tuzla, Brko, Biha).
The Livno area in 1991 had 20 000 heads of sheep and now number of the sheep is about 5 000. Ten individual farms have about 200 heads of sheep. Other farmers have an average 10-20 heads of sheep. Summer feeding of sheep is on the mountain Cincar, nearby Livno (10 km). During the wintertime, farmers come back to villages of the Livno area. Farmers have an average 4.0 ha of land in the Field of Livno.
MARKETS FOR SHEEP PRODUCTS

Markets are a very important economic factor in sheep production. They directly determine the trend and scope of production, although sheep are only assets and important to people living in mountainous areas. The market includes a sheep market and, last time, a goat market, as well as their products.
The market for lambs (meat) and cheese is very active; these factors enhance and stimulate development of small ruminant production. For example, Livno and Travnik cheese production grows very fast, because of the high quality as well as high prices.
At this time sheep and goat husbandry need protection of ancient breed reproductive lambs.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of a rehabilitation programme in sheep and goat husbandry should include serious extension and rehabilitation of scientific research work; also, the State programme of domestic breeds' protection and development should be included.
Bosnia and Herzegovina needs the assistance and support of the International community in its struggle to preserve sheep and goat husbandry.

REFERENCES

Livestock rehabilitation project in Bosnia and Herzegovina - implementation. Third joint EAAP/FAO workshop for European National Coordinators, Vienna, Austria, 1997.
Annually statistic's report of BiH, Sarajevo, 1992.

PRESENT SITUATION IN SHEEP AND GOAT FARMING OF BULGARIA

Dimov, Doytcho
Agricultural University of Plovdiv
Department of Animal Husbandry,
Plovdiv 4000, Bulgaria

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ABSTRACT

• • • • • • • • In the context of political changes in CEEC, the total number, production and farm structure in the small ruminant sector have been affected by the process of reinstating the ownership of the land. There is a great reduction in sheep population - 62.85 percent. In contrast to this trend, the total number of goats increased by 96.04 percent. Small size of herds is a typical characteristic of today's sheep and goat farming. Flock size and production technology for most of the farmers the extensive production system. With regard to milk yield per ewe in the lowlands, there is a semi-intensive production system.
                This situation is not very appropriate for modern systems of sheep husbandry and breeding strategies, but favourable economic conditions have to be considered as a potential source for restoration of the sheep population. Final products of sheep and goat farming (cheese and meat) have always been regarded as a traditional part of Bulgarian meals. Lamb and mutton have a permanent high demand. Sheep and goat husbandry remain reliable sources of exportable goods.

According to different geographical locations (lowlands, hills or mountains), different breeds exist. Bulgaria has a great diversity of genetic resources for sustainable sheep and goat farming. These genetic resources need better monitoring and management.
In the beginning of 1997, 98.89 percent of sheep and 99.95 percent of goats were in private ownership, but 83.17 percent of pastures are state or communal. During the grazing period all herds feed on communal pastures. Lots of work on sheep and goat farms is done by hand.
At the end of 1995 the Ministry of Agriculture started a project for building the National Agricultural Advisory System (NAAS). NAAS can be considered as a prototype of an "Extension Services" system.
The basic weakness of sheep and goat husbandry in Bulgaria is the lack of integral connection between farmers, processing and marketing of sheep and goat products.
The present production system is very difficult to manage. Existing farmers' and breeding organizations are new organizations with insufficient experience and resources to protect the economic interests of the new farmers. Also missing are well-trained people for effective management of sheep and goat production.
The purpose of the new government is to create favourable conditions for production without active intervention in the production sector. In this situation farmers' initiative is of great importance for successful development of sheep and goat farming. The presence of effective farmers' and breeding organizations is a key factor to achieve sustainability of the sheep and goat industry.
In the present situation, possible means to improve production systems are: (i) a careful study of the present production system; (ii) setting up a parameters of sustainable production in local ecological and market conditions; (iii) moulding of new production strategies for direct access of farmers into the market; (iv) development and implementation of pilot-projects with participation of farmers for modern sustainable sheep and goat production.
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INTRODUCTION

• • • • • • • • In the context of political changes in Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC), total number, production and farm structure in the small ruminant sector have been drastically affected by the process of reinstating the ownership of the land. In sheep and goat farming, two fully opposite tendencies can be observed. In comparison with 1990, the total number of sheep decreased - 62.85 percent (Table 1). In contrast to this trend, the total number of goats increased (96.04 percent).

Table 1. The number of sheep and goats

Actually, the reduction of the sheep population is on account of the former co-operative sector. Before 1990, the dominant part of the sheep population were Merino and Semi-merino breeds. When large co-operative farms were disrupted after 1991-1992, the private sector could not accept these breeds because they were not profitable.
Nowadays, the high interest in goat farming is due to the low standard of the rural and mountain population. Many people keep goats to satisfy their own needs of milk, milk products and meat. In comparison with cattle, goat keeping is easier. They are not demanding regarding the forages and they require less expense.

The number of sheep and goat farms

In the beginning of 1995, the number of sheep in the private sector was 92.3percent, kept on 486 627 farms (6.4 sheep per farm). Total number of goats was 99.9 percent, kept on 373 900 farms (2.12 goats per farm) - the information is from the National Institute of Statistics - 1995. Under these conditions, the term "farms" is not very proper. "Individual farmers" is a more accurate expression.

The farm structure

The small size of the herds is a typical characteristic of today's sheep farming. A lot of people keep sheep to satisfy their family needs of milk and meat. There is a limited percentage of farmers who keep large herds over 100 ewes (Table 2).

Type of production

Flock size and production technology for most of the farmers determine an extensive production system. With regard to milk yield per ewe in lowlands, where Pleven Black-head, Stara Zagora and Maritza sheep are kept, there is a semi-intensive production system.
Table 2. Flock sizes of sheep farms of Bulgaria (private sector)

(Source: Lazarova 1995)

The main products and their importance

• • • • • • • • The members of the Breeding Association of Maritza sheep having studied the herds in Plovdiv region for 1997, concluded that milk yield provided 57 percent of whole herd income. Forty-one percent of it comes from lambs and only 2 percent comes from wool (Figure 1). Actually, this income structure per herd underwent little changes and could be accepted as typical for the lowlands.

Figure 1. Structure of the income for 1997 in the herds of Maritza sheep

Market and relative importance of the markets from the economical point of view

• • • • • • • • Final products of sheep and goat farming (cheese and meat) have always been regarded as a traditional part of Bulgarian meals. Lamb and mutton have a permanent high demand not only on the occasion of religion feasts, but also with satisfying people's necessities, particularly in rural areas. Unfortunately, the general decreasing of the sheep population, as well as the high cost of living, influenced the reduced (and still reducing) consumption of these products (Table 3).

Table 3. Household consumption of foods from small ruminants in Bulgaria (per capita)

• • • • * Cheese from cow and sheep milk total
        • • • • • Paralleled with the total reduction of sheep in Bulgaria, the total export of small ruminant products also decreased (Table 4), although sheep and goat husbandry remain reliable sources of exportable goods.

Table 4. Exported ratio of some products of small ruminants

* cow, sheep and goat cheese - total; ** percent from total production

Main export markets and prices of products

It was until recent years that Bulgaria exported small ruminant products (lamb, mutton, cheese) to Arabian countries - Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia. Nowadays, the exports to these countries is being restricted.
In 1995, the export of live animals (499 934 small ruminants) was mainly oriented to Greece (57.2 percent), Syria (31.7 percent) and Italy (8.5 percent). Carcass export chiefly concerns Greece (52.9 percent), Italy (18.2 percent), Jordan (6.3 percent), etc. Average export price per kilogram was: live body weight US$1.58; carcass US$4.39.
During 1995, total export of cheese (white and yellow) amounted to 6 300 tonnes, but in 1996 it decreased to 5 700 tonnes. During the last years total export of cheese showed a constant trend of decreasing (67 percent in comparison with 1990) which is a result of reduction of dairy animals (cow, ewe and goat). White and yellow Bulgarian cheeses are sold all over the world. The exports of 1995 are distributed throughout European countries, the United States of America, Australia and Arabian countries.

Selling products from farms

• • • • • • • • Usually farmers sell their products as raw materials: live lambs, kids or adult animals, raw wool and milk. Because of this fact, selling furs provides non-significant income from the herd.

Table 5. Selling products from the farms

• • • * Meat from small ruminants (in live weight sold in the farms)

Export forms of products

Traditionally, main forms of small ruminant export are: live animals, carcasses and cheese (white and yellow). The skins (raw and leathers) are not a significant part of the total export from small ruminants. The clothing and fur industries are not very proper parameter for small ruminant products, since responsible companies preferably use imported materials. During the last years in the country, the regular import of wool has been from Russia.

Breeds (and their names) bred in Bulgaria

Sheep Breeds

• • • • • • • • In comparison with other species of agricultural animals, there are a great diversity of sheep breeds in the country. According to different geographical locations (lowlands, hills or mountains) different breeds exist. In the lowlands dairy breeds are most prominent: Pleven Blackhead, Stara Zagora, Patch-faced Maritza Sheep, White Maritza Sheep, Dairy crosses with East-Friesian and Awassi breeds, Pleven Blackhead, Stara Zagora. Milk yield of these genotypes is strongly affected by the herds and years. Our studies on the Patch-faced Maritza Sheep show that milk yield per ewe, depending of the herd, vary from 124 to 203 litres per milking period of 150 days. Some of the merino breeds still exist in a greatly limited populations which have unclear futures: Northeast Bulgarian Merino, Trakanian Fine Merino, Dunav Fine Merino, Karnobat Fine Merino breed. Now they are situated in experimental stations of the Agricultural Academy. Without support from the government they will disappear. There are two types of Corriedale breeds: South Bulgarian Corriedale, Nord Bulgarian Corriedale. They are also endangered because they are not profitable.

In the mountains, Tzigai, Karakachaska and other local sheep are dominant breeds. Some rare breeds still exist in the hill area of the country - Local Karnobat breed, Coopery-red Shumenska.

Goat Breeds

The predominant part of goat population are local goats, well adapted to local geographic and husbandry conditions. Genetically they are heterogeneous groups with different fur- color. Milk yield varies from 250 to 400 litres.
It is wise to breed Bulgarian White Milky (BWM), which successfully combines the high productive traits of Saanen goat and fitness characteristics of local goats. Milk yield is about 375 litres per 210 days (Terziyska et al.,1994). High interest exists in the Saanen goat, Togenburg, Anglonubian and their crosses, but their numbers are not significant.

The status of property

• • • • • • • • The most significant effect of political changes in Bulgaria is the change in ownership of animals. In 1997, 98.89 percent of sheep and 99.95 percent of goats were in private ownership. This fact is, in itself, an important conclusion regarding the farmer as an essential factor for further development of sheep and goat husbandry in Bulgaria.

Table 7. Status of property on the sheep and goat populations of Bulgaria (01.01.1997)

• • • • • • • Source: Mikhailova, 1997 (pers. comm.)

Table 8. Status of property of arable and pasture lands in Bulgaria

• • • Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Agrarian Reform 1997 (pers. comm.)

Lands and Barns

• • • • • • • • Because of communal ownership of the pastures, the farmers don't rent or lease lands for food production. Most of the farmers use their own barns.

Farm labour

In the lowlands, the following situations can be observed:
· Shepherds keep their own herds, but sometimes they use the family to help. This system is dominant in the herds of Local Maritza sheep, Pleven Blackhead, and Stara Zagora;
· During the grazing period, some farmers practise different forms of co-operation, collecting their herds on the communal pastures. During the night, herds usually come back to the barn of the owner. The farmers take turns to look after the sheep during the week;
· In winter, sheep are kept in the barn by the farmer. During the grazing period the farmer employs herdsman.
In the mountains, farmers use only family labour during the winter. During the grazing period some farmers collect their own herds and lead them to communal mountain pastures for a long period. Some of them take herdsmen; occasionally, others take them in turns to look after the herds.
Based on the current production system, thoroughly changed in the last seven years, we are not supplied with any scientific research or detailed description of labour organization at the farm level.

The lambing system

Usually farmers practice only one lambing per year. A second lambing during the same year can be found accidentally. In the lowlands, the lambing season starts in the middle of December and continues into the middle of March, while in the mountains February to March is the typical lambing season.

The origin of feeds used on the farms

During the grazing period all herds feed on communal pastures. In the lowlands the grazing period comprises 7-8 months, while in the mountains it is restricted to 5-6 months. Farmers use different methods of supplying feed for the winter period. Depending on the size of the owned lands, three possible systems can be found: self produced, purchased or mixed.

The presence of necessary equipment and machinery on the farms

Lots of work on sheep and goat farms is done by hand. The most labour-consuming process in sheep farming, for example milking, is done manually nowadays. Although machine milking was widely practiced in Bulgaria (mainly on former co-operative farms), at present machine milking of sheep is saved as a technology used only in the Research Institute of Cattle and Sheep Breeding in Stara Zagora. Some local dairy sheep breeds in the private sector are suitable for machine milking, but small size of flocks and the high price of milking parlours is a great obstacle for implementation of machine milking in sheep farming. One of the more specific processes in sheep farming - shearing, can be easily mechanized, because the clippers are accessible in the market. About 20 percent of the Breeding Association of Maritza Sheep members use clippers. Tractors and other small-scale machines are available for transport operations.
It seems that machine milking at this moment is more acceptable for goat farming, especially for those who keep and intend to keep more goats per flock.

Breeding and Farmers' Organizations in Bulgaria

Before 1990, 27 government services functioned in the animal breeding area. They served mainly the former co-operative sector. During 1994 they were reduced to 9 centres. By recommendation of the EAAP Task Force on Central and Eastern Europe (K. Meyn 1996) these services have been saved. Now, they are normatively authorized to continue livestock improvement programmes of the government.
During 1990, the first non-government breeding organization was established - the Breeding Association of Maritza sheep. This is a small organization of forty members. The main task of this association is to preserve Maritza sheep as a valuable genetic resource. In the beginning of 1993 the milk recording programme of local Maritza sheep was started with the support of private farmers from the Plovdiv region and the national fund for scientific researches. Since 1996 monitoring of Maritza sheep has been supported by the Agricultural University of Plovdiv. Because of the local distribution of Maritza sheep, the Breeding Association of Local Maritza sheep definitely obtained regional importance and contribution to Bulgaria.
Unfortunately, this initiative has not been followed by the farmers who kept Pleven Blackhead and Stara Zagora breeds, which are larger populations. Instead, by the initiative of former government services, another structure was established - The National Union of Sheep and Goat Farming (1994). This process was prompted by the government structures because it was obvious that the process of grouping and confederation among shepherds and goatherds had been delayed. The expectations are that this union will be able to support farmers. Now this National Union has to prove its successful existence.
The Council of sheep and goat farming was created in 1995. This counsel consists of well-known scientists who have to prepare a national programme for sheep and goat farming restoration.

Extension services for the farmers

At the end of 1995 the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Agrarian Reform (MAFAR) started a project for building the National Agricultural Advisory System (NAAS), with co-operation of the Agricultural Academy and financial support from the programme PHARE. This is the governmental policy to establish adequate structures into the field of agriculture in Bulgaria. NAAS can be considered a prototype of "Extension Services" system.
Lots of farmers directly contact a scientists and specialists from agricultural universities and research institutes, where they can be advised and helped.

Aids and governmental supports available for the farmers

• Since 1990 political development of Bulgaria caused the change of eight governments. These frequent changes did not allow the formation of permanent policy in the field of agriculture. At present, shepherds and goatherds are not supplied with subsidies by the government. Governmental programmes supporting farmers have not been created so far.

The main problems which have to be solved for the new farmers

The basic weakness of sheep and goat husbandry in Bulgaria is the lack of integral connection between farmers, and the processing and marketing of sheep and goat products. In Bulgaria there doesn't exist a good example, like the Awassi Corporation in Hungary (Kiss et al., 1997), that can be followed by the other farmers. A great contribution in the rebuilding of the sheep industry could be done by those who can integrate these three parts of the production chain: production - processing - marketing.

• As it has been mentioned above, at present 98.89 percent of the sheep population and 99.95 percent of the goat population are in private ownership, but 83.17 percent of pastures are state or communal. This second weak point of sheep and goat husbandry is a great obstacle for successful development and implementation of modern technologies. Intensive debates about privatization of communal pastures now take place in Bulgaria. A lot of people give proposals to help the preparatory act of the Parliament for privatization of communal pastures.

Alternative utilization of small ruminants in the country

• This is a new area for scientists and specialists in the field of sheep and goat farming in Bulgaria. Lots of mountains and rural areas have been depopulated. In the future this will be an additional obstacale for restoration of the sheep population. Large natural pastures are not grazed by herbivorous animals and this leads to their degradation. The difficult economic situation in the country and the rise of liquid fuel prices set up serious problems in the management of landscape and protected areas. The task of scientists now is to estimate real circumstances and to suggest ideas for using sheep and goats for landscape protection. On the local level, it is difficult to get beyond some inveterate views against using sheep and goats for environmental protection. Sheep and goats have been considered a factor in making the environment foul. In the country the dilemma is well known: The goat or the forest!

Lately, more attention has been given to ecological aspects in animal husbandry. The society set up requirements for ecologically clean production. Some projects for building demonstrative ecological farms of sustainable agriculture have been started. On these farms, agricultural animals were included as an important element of the whole agro-ecological production chain. For example, at the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, a mixed ecological farm was established as an Agro-ecological centre. A sheep farm there was built with a small herd of 40 sheep.

What kind of economical situation could be seen regarding different sizes of farms?

• As it has been mentioned above, 88 percent of the farms own 1 to 10 sheep. These farmers keep a few ewes to satisfy their family needs of milk, cheese and meat. They are not appropriate for modern systems of sheep husbandry and breeding strategies.
  The farms which keep 11 to 20 sheep (12 231) produce milk, meat and wool, both for self-sufficiency and for the market. These farmers are appropriate for engaging in a programme of preserving some rare local breeds.
  Some of the farmers, both of the first and second groups at favourable economic conditions, have to be considered as potential sources for restoration of the sheep population.

The farms with 21 to 50 and 51 to 100 sheep per flock can be the basis of farmers' organizations and future breeding work.

Availability of governmental programmes to save and rebuild the sheep and goat industry

During forthcoming years, the economy of the country will work under conditions of a "Currency board", which started on 1 July 1997. Strong reductions of the governmental budget are expected. The government will not be able to support farmers financially and directly.
State funded "Agriculture" is available for the farmers to draw credits, but until now there has been a low interest to draw credits.
The purpose of the new government is to create favourable conditions for production without active intervention in the production sector. In this situation the farmers' initiative is of great importance for successful development of sheep and goat farming. The presence of effective farmers' and breeding organizations is a key factor to achieve sustainability of the sheep and goat industry.

Conclusions

The present production system is very difficult to manage. Reasons:
· Existing farmers' and breeding organizations are new organizations with insufficient experience and resources to protect economical interests of the new farmers.
· Lack of well-trained people for effective management of sheep and goat production.

For successful management, it is necessary for farmers to have access to the final markets of sheep and goat farming. This could be achieved if:
· Farmers have their own cheese factories to process ran materials and sell the final products on the market.
· The farmers are on a contractual basis with processors and dealers in order to access the market.

At present the possible means to improve production systems are:
· A careful study of present production systems.
· Setting up parameters of sustainable production in local ecological and market conditions.
· Moulding new production strategies for direct access of farmers into the market.
· Development and implementation of pilot-projects, with participation of farmers, for modern sustainable sheep and goat production.

REFERENCES

Bulletin of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food industry 1996. Analysis of situation and tendencies in Animal production sector.
Kiss, B.- Kovács, P. - Székelyhidi, T. & Kukovics, S. 1997. Breeding aims to develop sheep milk production. In: Proceedings of the meeting of the FAO-CIHEAM Network of Co-operative Research on Sheep and Goats, Toulouse, 9-11 March.
Lazarova, M. 1995. Structural problems of the Animal Production. "Which way in Animal Production sector". In: Proceedings of the Scientific conference, October 18.
Meyn, K. 1996. EAAP task force on Eastern Europe. Livestock Production Science, In: EAAP News 46: 143-145.
Mikhailov, M. 1995. Structural problems of the Animal Production. "Which way in Animal Production sector" In: Proceedings of the Scientific conference, October 18.
Mikhailova, R. 1997. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Agrarian Reform. Personal communication (21-00-842/29.07.97).
National Institute of Statistics 1995. Agricultural animals to 1^st January, 1995. Sofia. In: Statistical yearbook of Bulgaria. 1996.
Statistical Book of Reference 1997.
Tersiyska, M. - Popov, Zh. - Petrova, N. & Dochevski, D. 1994. Milk productivity and composition of milk of two breeds - Bulgarian White Milky (BWM) and Saanisated crosses, In: Journal of Animal Science 134-135.

BREEDING AND PRODUCTION OF SMALL RUMINANTS
IN THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

Mikulec, Kre_imir
Veterynary Faculty University of Zagreb
Department for Animal Breeding and Technology
Croatia

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ABSTRACT

• In the history of the Croatian people, sheep breeding - and to a smaller extent also goat breeding - represented an important branch of the economy, especially in the hilly-mountainous (continental) and Mediterranean area of the Republic of Croatia. The reason for that is because Croatia has about 1 565 000 ha of pastures and meadows which were very poorly used in the previous socialist system, and that after the Patriotic War (1994) only 436 000 ha, i.e. about one-third of the total acerage was used. Mostly, there are natural extensive pastures with low yields of 1-5 tonnes of hay. The aggression toward Croatia 1991-1994, when about 42 percent of sheep and goat stock was devastated, also contributed to poor utilization of the grass land.
  Today, after the war in Croatia, there are 454 000 sheep and about 63 000 goats, being almost a half of the stock in comparison to the prewar period. In sheep production today there are about 3100 private sheep breeders, where the most common size of a herd is 40-60 sheep (58 percent), then 60-100 sheep (32 percent) and 100-400 and more sheep (10 percent). More than 80 percent of the sheep stock consists of a domestic low-productive pramenka and its strains of combined type, giving about 60-80 litres of milk, 17-18 kg of live weight of the lambs at the age of three months and about 1.1 kg of wool of poor quality. The rest are crossbreeds with Wirtemberg and, to a smaller extent, with some other breeds.

Concerning goats, there are about 950 breeders, have herds of 50-70 heads, i.e. about 83 percent of breeders, and the rest have herds of 1-50 heads and more than 70 heads, i.e. about 13 percent.

• In the coastal and insular region of the Adriatic Sea the native Balcanic goat with low milk production of 80-150 litres, fertility of 1.4 kids and low production of kids meat of up to 17 kg of live weight is kept. Furthermore, the smaller breedings of Alpine and partly Saanen goat producing twice as much as the native ones are also kept.
  The feeding of small ruminants is carried out mostly on the extensive pastures of low productivity. In the period of the last months of gestation and during lactation, additional feeding is carried out based on the self-produced feedstuffs and according to the instructions of an expert service.
  Excepting the machinery for hay storage, other machinery is used very rarely in milking the herds of 100 heads; it is carried out mostly by hand.
  In regard to the market it must be pointed out that the total production of sheep and goat cheese as well as lamb and kids' meat is used for the needs of a domestic market, since there is a great lack of these products due to the consequences of the war.
  The wool quality is qualitatively and quantitatively bad, so the market price is low and it scarcely covers the cost of sheep trimming.
  Both productions are carried out on private pastures and at the sam