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

---------------------------------------------
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.
-------------------------------------

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

---------------------------------------------
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 same time the breeders use large national acreages with negligible financial compensation. About 61 percent of the sheep breeders keep sheep and goats as a secondary resource of income in their own family husbandries and, after the war, the number of breeders to whom this is the primary source of income has increased.
  Mostly, the annual seasonal system of lambing is used, so the insemination is in August and lambing in January or February of the following year. In goats the insemination is in October and kidding in April of the following year.
  In the last three years, the breeders of small ruminants have joined in private associations on the district territories, where their problems and interests are transferred to appropriate professional services of the Republic of Croatia to have their demands and requests met. In 1993 a national advisory service was organized at the Ministry of Agriculture, which has been distributed in all the districts with 190 highly qualified experts in total. It was established with the aim of providing advisory professional assistance and strenghtening the private family husbandries. At the same time, courses for breeders' education were also organized, and very favourable farm loans (up to five years with low interest rates) were given. Furthermore, the selection service has been organized throughout the Republic and it carries out the production and parent records of the herds of small ruminants. On this basis, for breeding the progeny of their own herd, about 150 DM is granted irretrievably to the breeders of female lambs and kids for their own herd.
  All the above mentioned has from the very beginning, greatly increased the interest for breeding and production of small ruminants of more intensive breedings, where the greatest interest is for the production of lamb's meat (85 percent), sheep cheese (15 percent) and a smaller interest for kid's meat and milk.

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State of sheep and goat production

• Breeding of small ruminants and sheep in particular represented an important branch of cattle breeding activity, especially in hilly-mountainous (sheep) and Mediterranean (sheep and goats) regions of Croatia on the eve of the Second World War. After 1945, the socialist economy was literally doing its best to ruin goat-breeding, so in 1954 the Act on the Ban of Keeping Goats was passed. Goats were decimated, but by the persistence and stubbornness of the breeders until the 1980s, about 150 000 goats persisted. Sheep-breeding was in a slightly better position, so in 1965 there were about 1 390 000 sheep but this number gradually decreased until the Patriotic War in 1991, when there were only about 753 000 sheep left.
  During the Patriotic War from 1991 until 1994, 42 percent of the sheep and goat stock was destroyed and plundered, so today we have only about 453 000 sheep and about 105 000 goats (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Total number of sheep and goats in period 1970-1995 in the Republic of Croatia

The largest number of goats was on the territory of Dalmatian Zagora (Benkovac, Obrovac, Knin, Sinj), then in a smaller amount along the coast and on the islands of the Adriatic Sea (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Distribution of sheep and goats

• On the other hand, sheep-breeding prevailed mostly in the continental part of Croatia, in Lika and Dalmatian Zagora and to a smaller extent in the lowland parts of Slavonia.
  Nevertheless, it must be pointed out that the data stated after the war concerning the number of sheep and goats and on the basis of the statistics are less than the estimates of the experts, so the number in the data was approximately stated on the basis of these estimates.
  Today, according to the incomplete data, in Croatia there are about 3 100 private sheep breeders but the herds are mostly not larger than 50 sheep (58 percent of sheep), 50-100 sheep (32 percent) and finally more than 100 sheep (about 10 percent) (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Percentage of sheep and goat breeders according to the number of animals in flock

• Today there are about 950 goat breeders, with 36 percent of the herds having 50 heads, 48 percent with 50-100 heads and 16 percent with more than 100 goats.
  Considering the owned acreages, it must be pointed out that they are 5-8 ha on an average. Until today, the largest parts are the pastures not yet distributed but are used by private breeders for pasturing their herds.
  Out of the number mentioned approximately 5 000 goats and 20 000 sheep are included in the selected evidence.

Grassland - the basis of sheep and goat-breeding

• In the total acreage (5 650 000 ha) of the Republic of Croatia the agricultural areas cover 57 percent or 3 224 000 ha (Table 1).

Table 1. Acrage of grassland and its productivity

REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
TOTAL ACREAGE
5 650 000 ha

• • • • • 100%

TOTAL AGRICULTURAL ACREAGE 3 224 000 ha

• • • • • 57%

100 %

GRASSLAND (MEADOWS AND PASTURES) 1 565 000 ha

• • • • • 48.50%
          • • • 100%

MEADOWS 410 000 ha
PASTURES 1 155 000 ha

26.2%

• • • 73.8%
      • • x 2.4 tonnes of hay x 0.5 tons of hay

984 000 tonnes of hay
574 400 tonnes of hay

1 558 000 tonnes of hay

• • • • • • • • • • 15 kg of hay for 1 kg of meat

104 000 tonnes of meat

• • • • • • • • Large acreages of grassland (1 155 000 ha of pastures and 410 000 ha of meadows) in Croatia are not used rationally. This applies especially to coastal and hilly-mountainous pastures. The productivity expressed in hay and meat is much lower than the productivity of organized grassland in the world. Furthermore, out of the total acreage of grassland in 1990, only 530 000 ha was used and due to the war in 1992 only 436 000 ha was used. Since the grassland is not cultivated, its yields are very low ranging from one to five tonnes of hay per ha. Hence, the stock of small ruminants and sheep mentioned above uses the extensive system of pasturing on low productive pastures.

Breeds and production of small ruminants

• • • • • • • • The main products in sheep-breeding are got from the combined type of domestic pramenka which has low production of milk, meat and wool. Primarily in the continental part, about 83 percent of sheep stock produce lamb annually. At the age of about three months a lambs have 17-19 kg of live-weight. Then, up to 65 litres of milk, fertility of 0.9 lambs per sheep and 1-1.5 kg of wool of C-D sorti.
                In 1994 in the Republic of Croatia, 3 201 tonnes of mutton were produced annually and the share of lamb meat was about 63.4 percent or 1 995 tonnes of lamb meat (Table 2).

Table 2. Total quantity of mutton and the share of lamb meat in the period from 1991 to 1994

Moreover, the milk production was about 5120 million litres (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Production of sheep milk for the period 1975-1994 in the Republic of Croatia

• • • • • • • • The production of sheep milk is carried out mostly in about 17 percent of sheep stock being concentrated in coastal and insular parts of Croatia, which were out of the war zone (1991-1994) of the territory of Croatia. Almost all milk is used for producing sheep cheese for the needs of tourism and for a domestic market.
                The production of wool from 1990 until the Patriotic War (1991) was 719 tonnes and in 1994 only 408 tonnes, as the consequence of plunder and ruining the sheep stock during the war. The wool is of poor quality and small yields and the shearing costs are almost higher than the price achieved for the wool produced (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Production of wool in the period from 1965 to 1994 in the Republic of Croatia

• • • • • • • • It is used mostly for the production of carpets and tapestries in local industry. There are some attempts to use wool for thermal insulation masses in civil engineering.
                Besides the domestic indigeneous pramenka and its strains which make up 83 percent of sheep stock, German merino Landschaf is used for the new breeding programme in building domestic improved sheep, with the aim to produce large quantities of lamb meat per sheep and better fertility of up to 1.4 lambs per sheep, as well as getting wool of better quality and yield (B-C sortiment and about 3-3.5 kg of wool). Besides that, for improving the milking capacity of sheep the rams of Sardinian and East-Friesian breeds are used. The milking capacity in an ameliorated sheep went from 60 litres in lactation of 150 days to 170 litres in lactation of 160 days. Considering the current state, all products, lambs' meat and sheep cheese are used for domestic consumption.
                Concerning the breeds of goats, it can be said with certainty that more than 95 percent of the stock is related to domestic Balcanic goats and, to a smaller extent, to domestic Saanen goats. Balcanic goats are low-productive, so in lactation of about 200 days it gives 80-150 litres of milk, its fertility is of 100-110 percent and sexually mature goats have 30-45 kg of average body mass. At the same time in better conditions of feeding, a domestic Saanen goat gives about 250 litres of milk in a lactation of 280 days, its fertility is about 110 percent and an average body mass is 30-40 kg. The kids of four months of age reach about 18 kg of live mass. It has been influenced by the Saanen breed of sheep from Switzerland. Some ten years before the Patriotic War (in 1980) imports of a small number of French brown Alpine and Saanen goats were begun by a dairy industry of Croatia (Sirela, Vindija ets.). So today, in the area of North-west Croatia, they have a population of about 6 000 goats of a pure breed under selection control. They are used for the production of breeding material for a wider breeding area, as well as for the production of goat dairy products of good quality. (Table 3).

Table 3. Production of milk of the controlled cultivated breeds of goats in 1994

Today there is a great interest for the breedings of good quality as well as for a melioration of goats to increase the production as well as economic effects of small family husbandries. The past production of kid's meat and dairy products was not officially registered, so it is used for the needs of population and domestic market respectively.

Nutrition and reproduction of small ruminants

• • • • • • • • Nutrition of small ruminants is carried out at the extensive pastures of low yields mentioned above. In the period of insemination, in the last months of gestation and during lactation additional feeding takes place by adding the concentrate of own production according to the instruction of the experts. Machinery is used very seldom, mostly for hay storage. Recently, milking with portable milking machines is carried out more and more and less hand milking is done.
                Today both productions are carried out only on private husbandries, using their own acreages and to a higher extent by pasturing at (for now) public pastures. Sheep and goats are kept primarily by about 40 percent of breeders to whom this is the main source of income and to the rest of them as a secondary source of income (mixed husbandry).
                Concerning the conditions of keeping and nutrition, most sheep breeders in the continental part (for the production of lamb meat) use seasonal insemination at the beginning of autumn (in September) and lambing at the beginning of the year (February). Rather few of them occasionally use insemination out of the season. The breeders in coastal parts use exclusively the seasonal insemination in August and lambing in January; the lambs are weaned at the age of 30-40 days and the sheep are milked until the end of June. Milk is used for producing sheep cheese of very good quality for the needs of a domestic market.

Stimulating measures for intensifying the production of small ruminants

• • • • • • • • After the breakdown of a socialist sector (1990) and the Patriotic War until 1994 and in the interest of intensifying the cattle breeding production on private husbandries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Croatia has organized the following:

  a) National advisory service financed from the funds of the budget of the Republic and organized in all the districts with 192 highly qualified agricultural experts in total. The basic task of the service is advisory assistance and education of breeders with the aim of improving agricultural and cattle breeding production of private family husbandries in Croatia.
  b) Granting credits, which is carrying out through the Ministry of Agriculture of Croatia giving very favourable credits up to five years. The interest is up to 6 percent with two years of grace period.
  c) Associations of private breeders are organized according to the branches of activities with legal persons representing the interests of breeders towards the Republic.
  d) Selection of progeny breeding (calves, heifers, tags and kids of both sexes) through the organized selection service of Croatia, which at the same time introduces production and parent records for small ruminants and others. The award per tag and kid bred is achieved irretrievably in the amount of 350-500 KN and it is to be used for reconstruction of one's own herd and other breeders buying the progeny for expanding and reconstruction of the herd, respectively.
  e) The organized selection service has about 163 highly skilled professionals and control assistants carrying out the introduction of production and parent records in the field, and at the same time they participate in accepting and organizing the realization of the credits for private family husbandries all along Croatia.
  FAO has also been included in the work of the Ministry with its advisory work on organizing agricultural and cattle breeding production, and by giving financial means for educating the experts for the needs of improving the private family husbandries all along Croatia.
  Due to all the mentioned actions carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture in the last two years, the interest of the breeders for improving and intensifying the production has rapidly increased as well as at private family husbandries of the breeders of small ruminants.

MAJOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRENDS IN
SHEEP-BREEDING

Abayné-Hamar, Enik
College of Agriculture
Gödöll University of Agricultural Sciences
Gyöngyös, Hungary

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ABSTRACT

Sheep breeding gives an export output worth US60 million on areas featuring poor characteristics for other agricultural activities.
The EU can fulfil 80 percent of its demand from its own sources, so sheep products will be saleable in the future, too. Favourable market and breeding conditions in Hungary would justify an increase in sheep stock, but in spite of this a continuous decrease is recorded.
If one studies statistical data of sheep breeding he/she can see that there has been a considerable increase in the number of private sheep breeding farms. Unfortunately these do not perform serious breeding activities, their technology is mostly outdated and there has been no development in foraging or organization of work.
Lands that can only be used as grasslands must be used for sheep breeding and for this a sound financial support system is to be established. Sheep breeding based on grassland management with low investment costs is competitive as compared to other animal husbandry activities. Among well-balanced production conditions the output per unit of fixed and current assets is also favourable. Sheep breeding may be competitive compared to crop production units, too if we consider the fact that sheep breeding gives marketable products on lands representing low value for crop production.
Usually private farms do not deal only with sheep breeding. Their stocks are low (50-300 ewes) which results in a fairly low yearly income (HUF 2000-3000/year/ewe).
Small farms make full use of individual and special possibilities not always available for large companies (eg. selling side products, using harvested corn fields). Some of the large sheep breeding companies are successful; in most of the cases they are those which do the distribution for themselves.
As far as the mutton production in the world is concerned China's production level has increased considerably while a slight decrease has been registered in various areas of Oceania. The same agro-economic indicator dropped sharply in eastern Europe and the states of the former Soviet Union. In the EU this has hardly changed.
The drop in eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union was caused by political changes. Stocks in Australia and New-Zealand decreased as a result of the price crash in 1990 and drought in the early 1990s. We can not expect boosting sales since the level of trade is affected by the regeneration of stocks.
The wholesale purchasing price of the mutton has registered a positive development compared to other species. In the case of slaughter sheep, mutton represents 90 percent of the income, wool and milk bring very little.
If is unfortunate, however, that milk and cheese distribution has dropped since much higher export outputs could be achieved if farmers took the time to milk the ewes. Merino is not appropriate for milk production but there are brilliant breeds that could form good stocks for specialized farms.
I follow the changes in sheep breeding closely, analyse the data and calculate trends for prices and production. Hopefully, as a result I will be able to give viable solutions to the actual problems of Hungarian sheep breeding.
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The changes in the sheep industry

Sheep-breeding in Hungary gives an annual export output of US60 million on areas that are otherwise not appropriate for other profitable agricultural activities while needing very low investment.
A high percentage of the products are exported to the EU, mostly to Italy.
The self distribution potential of the EU as far as sheep products are concerned is around 80 percent, thus there will continuously be a demand to be met. These favourable market conditions should result in an increase in sheep stock, but despite all this the stocks are decreasing.
Analysing the dynamics of sheep stocks, one can see a sharp rise in the number of private farms. Unfortunately we cannot talk about serious breeding activity on these farms. The technology is outdated and there has been no change in work organization either.
According to Jávor et al. (1997) in September 1996, 6 799 persons and legal persons owned ewes. Private individual farmers owned 78.8 percent and 21.2 percent belonged to different sheep-breeding companies (Ltds, deposit companies).
Private farmers in a typical situation perform other activities besides sheep-breeding. They usually own relatively few ewes (50-300), and sell mostly lamb reaching moderate income levels (HUF 2 000-3 000/year/ewe).
The 1996 distribution of ewes based on ownership and stocks is presented in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1. Distribution of ewes according to the flock size in % (1996)

Figure 2. Distribution of ewes according to their ownership 1996 (Total 811 263 heads)

• • • • • • • • The average stocks at private farms are below 100, a number that proves a high level of stock fragmentation. Among such conditions we cannot talk about profitable and efficient breeding and work organization. I believe that the main reason for the mentioned fragmentation is the lack of capital, but in the case of farmers and companies willing to develop a stock increase and concentration are to be expected in the following years.

Private farms can make full use of specific local conditions, i.e. grazing on harvested corn fields, free grasslands, etc. (Marselek, 1993). Sheep-breeding is profitable in larger companies too, mostly where processing and distribution are done in-company.

Prices and economy

Lands that can only be used as grasslands must be used for sheep breeding and for this a sound financial support system is to be established. Sheep breeding based on grassland management with low investment costs is competitive as compared to other animal husbandry activities. Among well-balanced production conditions the output per unit of fixed and current assets is also favourable. Sheep breeding may be competitive compared to crop production units, too if we consider the fact that sheep breeding gives marketable products on lands representing low value for crop production.
The wholesale purchasing price of the mutton has registered a positive development compared to other species (Figure 3). In the case of slaughter sheep mutton represents 90 percent of the income; wool and milk bring very little.

Figure 3. Wholesale prices

• • • • • • • • Unfortunately the export value of sheep products (US$) and the exported quantities decreased considerably (Table 1).

Table 1. Export balance 1990-1995 (tonnes)

Export value	US$ 78 million	US$ 59 million
Export mutton-sheep	27 400	19 200
Export mutton with bones	1 670	331
Export sheep cheese	782	266
Export raw wool		5 504

Source: Kukovics et al. (1997)

The numbers show a decrease in production levels together with a decrease in stocks. In 1996, 909 658 lambs were exported with an average weight of 20.78 kg. The amount of mutton with bones exported was 417 355 kg. Raw wool production decreased to 2 396 tonnes. There was a sheep milk production of 1.2 million litres.
Export prices showed an increasing trend in May.

Table 2. Export lamb prices 1995-1997

	1995		1996		1997
Milk lamb 13-16 kg	362	366	509	514	601	550
Milk lamb 16-20 kg	351	353	482	492	600	518
Separated lamb 20-24 kg	317	320	439	453	529	477
Ewe lamb 24-27 kg	288	288	386	409	479	415
Ewe lamb 27-30 kg	261	260	335	365	463	379
Ewe lamb 30-35 kg	248	245	313	303	379	336
Ram lamb 24-27 kg	286	-	-	-	-	428
Ram lamb 27-30 kg	283	278	377	396	452	414
Ram lamb 30-35 kg	262	256	344	369	438	370
Ram lamb 35-40 kg	245	265	323	330	402	333

Source: Jávor (1997)

The Hungarian lamb export represents a two percent market share in western Europe. Further decrease would jeopardize our negotiation position. Only 14.8 percent of our production stocks are on "R" level in the EUROP quality control system (Table 4). This is a poor result compared to other countries.

Table 4. Percentage per country according to the EUROP system

Source: Molnár, Jávor (1997)

It is unfortunate, however, that milk and cheese distribution have dropped since much higher export outputs could be achieved if farmers took the time to milk the ewes. Merino is not appropriate for milk production but there are brilliant breeds that could form good stocks for specialized farms.
A set of data related to collecting sheep milk and sheep cheese production is presented in Table 5.

Table 5. The dynamics of collecting sheep milk, sheep cheese production and

whole-sale price

Year	Collected milk (million litres)	Whole-sale price (HUF/l)	Produced sheep-cheese (t)
1960	4.8	-	729
1970	22.9	-	2120
1980	4.4	18.31*	518
1990	3.9	32.50	775
1996	1.2	64.80	400**

*: 1981 **: estimated data Source: own collection

As far as the mutton production in the world is concerned, China's production level has increased considerably while a slight decrease has been registered in various areas of Oceania. The same agro-economic indicator dropped sharply in Eastern Europe and the states of the former Soviet Union. In the EU this has hardly changed.
The drop in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union was caused by political changes. Stocks in Australia and New Zealand decreased as a result of the price crash in 1990 and drought in the early 1990s. We cannot expect boosting sales since the level of trade is affected by the regeneration of stocks.

Figure 4. The dynamics of mutton production in the world (1990-1996)

• • • • • • • • The best correlation is given by a power function. According to this, in 1998 an output of 10.44 thousand tonnes of mutton is to be expected. These forecasts will lead to negligible changes in production and consumption in countries with a tradition in sheep-breeding and to the stabilization of high mutton prices (US$2.30-2.70 /kg).

The raw wool production shows a slight decrease worldwide. There is a sharp rise in China; however, in Australia and New Zealand statistical data show a certain level of decrease. These three countries give almost half of the world's wool production.
Based on the data presented one can conclude that ewe stocks in Hungary should be increased by 20-40 percent. The EU quota regulations would also justify such a measure since we should not join the EU with ewe stocks lower than our real potential.
Increasing stocks is essential, thus an appropriate financial support system is to be established, which would motivate breeders to boost their stocks.

REFERENCES

Molnár, Gy. & Jávor, A. 1997. Tények a juhtenyésztés versenyhelyzetének megítéléséhez. In: Magyar Juhászat [Hungarian Sheep Breeding]. 1997. Vol. 9: 4-5.
Jávor, A. - Békési, Gy. - Kukovics, S. - Molnár, Gy. & Koleszár, Gy. 1997. A hazai juhállomány jellemz adatai. In: Magyar Juhászat [Hungarian Sheep Breeding]. Vol. 2: 4.
Jávor, A. 1997. Mélyrepülés, vagy válság? In: Magyar Juhászat [Hungarian Sheep Breeding]. 1997. Vol. 6: 1-3.
Kukovics, S. - Jávor, A. & Székelyhidi, T. 1997. A juhágazat fejlesztési programja [The development programme of the sheep branch]. In: Magyar Juhászat [Hungarian Sheep Breeding]. 1997. Vol. 3: 1-7.
Marselek, S. 1993. Juhászati ágazat gazdaságossági tényezinek vizsgálata. In: Kandidátusi értekezés. p. 120.

GOAT BREEDING IN THE SLOVAK REPUBLIC

Gyarmathy, Egon
Dubravska, Jarmila
Slovak Agricultural University
Department of Animal Husbandry
Nitra, Slovak Republic

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ABSTRACT

• • • • • • • • Goat breeding has a long tradition in the Slovak Republic but until 1990 goat breeding was without perspective. In well-developed countries the number of goats increased; on the contrary, in Slovakia the number decreased.
                At present, goat breeding has potential and the numbers of goats increase not only in small holdings but also on big farms. In Slovakia 26 147 goats are bred from which 18 559 are goats older than six months (statistics from 1. January 1997). One reason for the goat's increase is the poor economic situation in many families. It is possible that the number of goats is higher. There is a lot of grazing of goats in the villages. Unfortunately, the statistical information is not accurate as it is from seven years ago. It is a problem for the state-breeding organization because they cannot plan exactly the amount of bucks for breeding. Every year in the end of August there is an evaluation of bucks in the three parts of the Slovak Republic west, middle and east. Only evaluated bucks can be used for breeding but there are small holders of goats in the villages who used unevaluated bucks for breeding.

There are two milk breeds of goats (white short-haired and brown short-haired) and two hair breeds (mohair goats and cashmere goats). As in the past, the goats can have horns. The white short-haired goat breed is descended from the Saanen goat.
Two new breeds were imported in 1991 from Denmark and New Zealand. They were mohair goats and cashmere goats. Our country had a five-year market contract with Denmark to puchase our hair production, because we were not able to make products from hair; we had no technology to separate cashmere. Unfortunately the contract was canceled and problems with breeding started. The mohair production was used to produce mohair wool of high quality, but we had only 200 mohair goats (for a big factory it was not economical to produce only 1 000 kg of mohair). At this time we have only a small herd of mohair goats on one state farm and these animals are too old for production of high quality mohair. The cashmere goats were bred also in the state farms but due to problems with cashmere production they were leased to private farmers who used them only for grazing. We can say that these two breeds were bred for six years but it is possible that they will disappear from the Slovak Republic. During these six years, animals of these breeds were evaluated through their hair production (Slovak Agricultural University, Research station for breeding sheep and goats).

• • • • • • • • Milk and meat are the main products from goats in our country. Goat milk has high nutritional quality, the content of which depends on the breed (approximately 12.4 percent of dry matter which means 3.4 percent protein, 3.8 percent fat content, 4.3 percent lactose and 0.9 percent ash). We have experience with nutritional quality of goat milk under real-life conditions. Doctor Rosipal started utilization of goat milk for the nourishment of children. Performance testing is realized by a state breeding organization and a union of breeders. In milk control quantity and quality of milk is tested.
                The production of meat has only a seasonal character, mainly for the period of Easter when there are mostly male goats for sale (approximately 8-12 weeks old and a live weight of 12 kilograms). In the future there is the possibility to produce goat's of 25 -30 kilograms live-weight from intensive fattening. There is a test station for fattening and carcass value, but only for testing rams. The consumption of goat meat has a short tradition in our country; that is why this kind of meat is mainly exported.
                Very important products are goat skins. Yearly, Slovakia imports 2.2 million skins from abroad; ?? is a pity not to use its home production which has the same or even better quality.
                With the increase of goats in Slovakia, more research is important. The quality and quantity of milk is one part of that research. The animals need good conditions for their production, and through studying the behaviour of goats it will be possible to find the best conditions for them. We don't breed any special meat goat breed now, but we would also like to import meet breeds of goat. There is great interest by breeders to breed goats but we have problems with milk in some parts of the country. Only six milking factories produce sheep and goat milk which is not enough. The government has an interest in goat breeding in our republic. The breeders receive money for goat breeding and for milk production, which is of great benefit to them.

SOME TECHNOLOGICAL QUESTIONS AND RESULTS OF SHEEP PROPAGATION

Tóth, István
College Faculty
Gödöll University of Agricultural Sciences
Meztúr, Hungary

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ABSTRACT

• • • • • • • • Both the increasing expenses of sheep keeping and its decreasing income level have resulted in the decrease of ewe number in small and larger plants. At the same time the propagation index - propagation per 100 ewes - has fallen down to 80-90 percent.
                The picture is more frightening if we examine the bring up data which has indicates a 18-22 percent value of lamb loss lately.
                It can be concluded that if this tendency becomes steady, we will not be able to complete our lamb quota in the EU and we must join the European Market with the present level.
                The basic aim of the examination is to answer to what extent the applied breeding-technological procedures can increase the lamb propagation and how the die-off of lambs can be reduced by the help of lambing-technology, foddering and keeping-technology. The most significant hindrance for increasing lamb propagation is that Merino, which is the most widespread type in Hungary, is originally a mono-oestrus type and is in heat two to three times a year (Becze, 1981).
                Because of our geographical circumstances, the main season is the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, and after the 150-day pregnancy period the lambing is due in spring. Because of these special qualities - relatively short pregnancy period, fast development of off-spring - the ewe can be lambed again by making her pregnant in a short period of time. The disadvantage of re-impregnation is that early spring is a resting period for sheep - they are not in heat and they have no ovulation.
                During the off season periods the safest method to develop rutting is the use of a hormone concentration. On the basis of plant experiments and observations of several years, I have examined the traditional heat in the main season and the one developed by incretotherapy in the off-season period, the time of impregnation, the frequency of impregnation (two times: in the afternoon, in the morning; three times: in the afternoon, in the morning, in the afternoon) the effect of refeeding, the method of ewe preparation as the factors to increase sheep propagation.
                The number of ewes attended with hormone during the testing period was 10 064 and from them 9 115 became pregnant (90.57 percent), the number of lambed ewes was 8 141 and lambs born alive totaled 9 637 (118.37 percent).
                The applied concentration was the SIL Estrus from Abbot company, which is a silicon rubber implant containing progesterone hormone. The implant was put in under the skin of the sheep.
                The concentration was removed on the 14th day and at the same time 500 UI PM SG was injected under the skin. The first impregnation should be carried out between 43-52 hours and the second one is due between 60 and 64 hours.
                The cost of incretotherapy (during 1975-1979) relating to one new-born lamb was HUF 24.35/piece which was approximately equal to the open market price of 1 kg of livestock. This expense, at present, is equal to the price of 1 kg of lamb.
                The incretotherapy resulted in a 5-8 percent increase of fodder cost which appeared because of re-feeding after the impregnation.
                Examining the tendency of sheep propagation in two different flocks with or without applying re-feeding, we can conclude that the propagation is 11 percent and 14 percent higher as the result of steady conditions.
                The most acute problem of sheep keeping - at present and in the past - is the high percentage of lost new-born lambs. This problem can be traced to the improper preparation of the ewe or the incompletion of applied lambing technology.
                During the plant experiments, by examining the rate of die-off, we can conclude that the most positive rate was found in the case of lambing technology for small groups. Applying both traditional flock lambing and cage type (reception) technology, the rate of die-off was 8-15 percent while with the introduction of lambing in small groups this rate was proven to decrease to about 5-10 percent.
                We can draw the conclusion that during the examined period, the results of heat developed by incretotherapy and the results of seasonal heat were similar; ewes in heat were prominently seaking rams and the so-called harems were formed.
                The applied hormone concentration did not have an effect on the seasonal lambing, fertility and heat of ewes.
                The method stabilized the lamb propagation and the cost of impregnation per kg of lamb became smaller than the cost of livestock in the open market and economical accounting.
                By the application of lambing technology in small groups, the die-off of lambs can be significantly reduced.

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INTRODUCTION

There are many factors which influence the profitability of sheep breeding, like the features of reproduction-biology, the facilities of keeping and forage and the conditions of the sales. Utilization of the possibilities - which can be external and internal, too - underlies the increase of the profitability in the sheep-branch. The existence or the lack of the possibilities influences the complement of the stock, the volume of the production, the orientation of the utilization, as well as the standard of the breeding and keeping (Illés, 1995; Lengyel, 1995; Daróczi-Kukovics, 1995).
Due to the attrition of the sheep, the senescence of the ewes and in direct ratio to this the decrease of the genetic value, we could not utilize our export possibilities in mutton during the last 7-8 years. We can attribute the reasons for these in the first place to the decrease of the living lamb-crop (80-90 living lambs/100 ewes) and to the loss during upbringing (18-22%), and in the second place to the multiple increase of the forage costs and the extra low salesprice of the wool.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The basic aim of the examination was to find an answer for the question: How one can increase the lamb crop using applied breeding technologycal methods and decrease loss of the born-lambs by using high quality forage and applying better lambing technology.
The most important factor impeding the increase of the lamb-crop (Becze, 1981) is that the Merino, which breed is the most common in our country, is mono-oestrus by nature, so it lambs 2-3 times a year.
The main season of the oestrus - due to our geographical location - is the early autumn; after the 150-152 days of pregnancy the birth is in the end of winter or early spring. The characteristic short-term pregnancy and fast growth of the lamb-crop could permit refertilization within a relatively short time.
The biggest problem of refertilization is that the early spring is a rest term for the sheep - there is no oestrus and ovulation. So, in the first place the profitability of the branch revolves around the volume of the products (mutton, milk, wool), the input of the branch and the ruling price of the products. Recently this problem could be solved by the increase of the reproductive ability and by the decrease of the loss during upbringing, but one must not neglect the cost of the production. The application of reproductive-technical methods is conducive to an increase of the lamb-crop (Becze, 1977), because multiple births depend less on the number of the conceptions than on the ability of the pregnancy with more embryos; after all, the base of the twinning-birth is multiple ovulation which occurs regularly in sheep. If, however, all the ovulated eggs can impregnate the mother depends on the physical condition of the ewe. Therefore, fitting conditions must be created for the ewes which facilitates impregnation and gestation before polyovulation occurs.
This problem does not occur with ewes rutted in the main season, because in this time the mothers body has enough time to prepare for the gestation.

RESULTS

The increase in reproduction and the expansion of production and products could not be safely projected based only on the traditional rutting season. One should strive for the utmost utilization of the possibilities derived from the biological capabilities of sheep. One of the possibilities is gestation out of the traditional rutting season, in which case several methods are known.
I carried out my examination in 1975-1979 at a producers' co-operative with 4 500 ewes. The data are old, but I hope the results of the method used in my examination will be adaptable in the future again.
I experimented with several methods to precipitate oestrus out of season:

• a) biostimulation: I left the vasectomized rams and he-goats among the ewes on the third to fourth days after the separation of the lambs;
  b) "foddershock"-method (Botkin - Lang, 1978 and Rattkay, et al. 1978);
  c) fodder (rye, germinated wheat, ruttish-food), (Veress, 1974);
  d) pheromone-effect, alias "Bruce-effect" (synthetic hircine, synthetic buck-smell);
  e) oestrus-synchronization with hormone-product (incretotherapy).

I got clean-cut results with just one of the above-mentioned methods, the oestrus-synchronization ("e" method). The results of the methods are contained in Table 1.

Table 1/a. The methods and results of the applied precipitation of the oestrus

	Ewes	Sending		Ruttish ewe		Ewe in lamb			Lambed			Empty ewe
Method	stock	for (day)	stock		%	stock	%	stock		%	stock		%
Biostimulation	450	40	247		55.0	223	49.5	220		48.8	230		51.1
Foddershock	275	70	212		77.0	201	73.0	195		70.9	80		29.0
Fodder	327	35	59		18.0	55	16.8	54		16.5	273		83.4
Pheromone-effect	923	45	174		18.8	160	17.3	152		16.4	771		83.5
Hormone-product	10 064	-	10 064		100.0	9 115	90.6	8 141		80.9	1 923		19.1

Table 1/b. The results of the applied precipitation of the oestrus

	Ewes	Sending	Ruttish ewe			Ewe in lamb		Lambed				Empty ewe
Method	stock	for (day)	stock	%	Stock		%		stock	%	stock		%
Buck and he-goats without stimulation	350	40	75	21.4	70		20.0		68	19.4	282		80.6
Foddershock	331	70	31	9.3	26		7.8		24	7.2	307		92.5
Normal fodder	327	35	8	2.4	8		2.4		8	2.4	319		97.5
Pheromone-effect	350	45	0	0	0		0		0	0	0		0
Hormone-product	-	-	-	-	-		-		-	-	-		-

Table 2. contains the conformation of the lamb-crop. I attach it to show its importance.

Table 2. The conformation of the lamb-crop

Year	Average ewe-number	Baby-lamb	After an unforced oestrus	After an oestrus-synchroni-zation	Addition of the oestrus-synch. %	Crop / 100 ewes	Crop 1975=100%	Number of ewes 1975= 100%
1975	3 453	3 165	3 165	-	-	91.65	100.0	100.0
1976	3 564	5 277	3 525	1 752	33.2	148.06	131.5	103.2
1977	4 475	5 006	3 420	1 586	31.6	111.86	122.0	129.6
1978	4 526	6 203	4 418	1 786	28.7	137.05	149.5	131.1
1979	4 509	7 145	2 632	4 513	63.1	158.46	172.8	130.6
Total		26 796	17 159	9 637	35.9	-	-	-

The results of the oestrus synchronization are shown in the data of Table 3.

Table 3. The number of oestrus-synchronized ewes, and the results of the method

	1976	1977	1978	1979		Total
Ewe
-handled, piece	1 990	1 490	1 610	4 974		10 064
-fertilized, piece	1 990	1 490	1 610	4 974		10 064
-die off, emergency slaughter, piece	80	30	26	92		228
Aborts
-ewe, piece	57	40	29	280		406
-lamb, piece	64	49	27	310		461
Still-birth
-ewe, piece	84	48	50	288	470
-lamb, piece	96	60	69	300		525
Fallen ewe, piece	1 504	1 342	1 397	3 868		8 141
Born lamb, piece	1 752	1 586	1 786	4 513		9 637
Ewe with twinling, piece	210	105	331	645		1 291
Gestationed ewe, piece	1 685	1 459	1 489	4 482		9 115
Gestation %	85.0	92.48	91.08	90.10		90.72

Living lamb-crop / 100 tupped ewes: 97.75 pieces
Living lamb-crop / 100 lambed ewes: 118.37 pieces
Total lamb-crop / 100 tupped ewes: 105.55 pieces
Total lamb-crop / 100 lambed ewes: 125.86 pieces
Twinning % / lambed ewes: 15.85 %
Twinning % / tupped ewes: 12.82 %

Progesterone is the active substance of the product used to evoke artificial oestrus. The progesterone is embedded in silicon-gum; this product is called SIL-ESTRUS, from the firm ABBOT.
The implant must be inserted under the skin, among the muscle-membranes by the help of a special instrument, through a 0.5 cm wide cut. After the implantation the wound must be sewed with two cross-diamond stitches. On the 14th day the implant must be taken away and 500 Ui units of PMSG must be injected under the skin. After 36-39 hours of this the ewe can be fertilized. The fertilization must be repeated after 452 hours. I established in the process of my examinations during fertilization (2 or 3 times) that the third fertilization increased the gestation by 1.1 percent, which explain the theory (Becze, 1981) that the oestrus or the ovulation is presumably after the 60th hour.
The adapted PMSG products are as follows: PROLAN-A, GESTYL, CEVA, FOLIGON, GONADOTROFIL. These products gave nearly the same results with gestation. In respect to the cost, the difference was greater (48.1 HUF/dose and 23.8 HUF/dose) but if we reduce these for present value they will be equalized by the inflation.
The material cost of the oestrus-synchronization is on the average 74.8 HUF/lamb (1975-1979) which corresponded to the open-market price of one kilogram live-weight and this material cost is in our days also the same like the cost of one kilogram lamb weight (630-650 HUF/kg). We can state that the incretotherapy increased the forage costs by 5-8 percent, which is derived from the additional feeding after the fertilization and from the preparation (raised dose provender). I examined the lamb-crop of two flocks of sheep with additional feeding and without additional feeding. We can state that the plus-progeny is bigger in the flock with additional feeding by 11-14 percent because the ewes were in better condition.
Nowadays and in the past too, the main problem of the sheep-branch is the high die-off rate of the baby lambs. This fact can be esteemed as important because the low rate of progeny with the high rate of die-off impacts the already low quantity of the sheep products for export. If this tendency turns out to be long lasting, then we cannot employ the available export quota in mutton and we should enter the EU with this present amount of mutton.
The loss during upbringing has its origin in many reasons. The first and perhaps the most important problem is the bad condition and the inadequate preparation of the ewes. The other problems are the insufficiencies of the birth-technology, the crowding, the lack of tools and material, the losses, the carelessness and the lack of skills of sheepherders.
If there is an adequate method for the increase of the lamb-crop, we have to find the solution for saving the baby lambs, too. Therefore, I felt it necessary to analyse the adopted birth-technologies, which are appropriate for lambs born in great numbers at the same time. I estimated with which birth-technology application (traditional birth in herd, birth in divided herd, birth in small group, individual birth) the loss turned to most advantageously.
The traditional birth in herd results in the highest rate of die-off. A smaller die-off rate was at the birth in divided herd with the allocation of the even-aged lambs (30-50 ewes with their lambs). In both methods the desertion of the lambs increased, 5-10 percent of the lambs lost their mother and some of these lambs recovered the required milk for themselves by stealing, but the others died off.
The artificial upbringing, the fostering, did not give a reassuring result. On the basis of the latest research (Csízi, 1997) the tests with nanny goats show good results.
I saw good results in the first year of my examination (Tóth, 1982) at the beginning of the "birth in small group" technology. From the results the lamb-technology (AGROCOOP) was defined and with the application of this technology (10-15 ewes with their lambs) a unit was built which could be watched easily; possibly it can regroup again and the feed can be suited to the demand of the ewes. So the ewes and their lambs easily find each other and the level of the die-off can be kept back to 5-10 percent.
I found as an optimum solution the individual birth method at which each ewe and its lamb(s) are kept separately in a box with 1.2m x 1.2m of ground-space. I feel the separate keeping until 10 days of age of the lambs (when the voice- and smell-contact evolve between the ewe and lamb) is necessary. After this the sheep are settled in groups (30-40 sheep). The result was: 620 ewes brought up 832 lambs and the loss was just one lamb. The lone disadvantage of this method is the great material cost.

CONCLUSIONS

To sum up the matter it can be stated that the induced oestrus with incretotherapy is absolutely alike to the oestrus in season, the ewes looked for the bucks remarkably, the "harem" evolved. The adopted hormone-products do not influence the oestrus in season or the fertility of the ewes. The meddling can be made without any mistake because the ewes were handled several times. The preparation and the measure of the forage can be determined economically on the basis of the condition of the ewes separately in herds.
By the help of the instrumental pregnancy control the lean ewes can be selected and they will be rearranged in other groups. The lamb-crop can be stabilized at a high level with the oestrus-synchronization and by its continuity the demand of the market can be satisfied. The fertilization costs for one kilogram of mutton, which is free from the preparation cost (additional forage) were lower than the live-weight costs based on the open-market price. By the method of birth (lamb) in small groups the rate of die-off decreased measurably.

REFERENCES

Daróczi, L.-Kukovics, S. 1995. [Shortage of the ewe-milk - troubles - possibilities]. In Magyar Juhászat [Hungarian Sheep Breeding] 10: 2-3.
Illés, B. Cs. 1995. [Examination of the factors influenced the profitability of the sheep-branch, possibilities of the increasing of the competition]. In: Dissertation.
Lengyel, L. 1995. The profitability situation of sheep-milk production in Hungary. In: Cercetaaria stientifica si tehnica in spriinul dezvoltarii si restructurarii agriculturii. Timisoara. pp.11-18.
Becze, József 1981. Reproduction-biology of the females. Mezgazdasági Kiadó. Budapest, pp. 341-371.
Becze, József 1977. The bases and possibilities of the increasing of the reproductiveness and reproduction capacity. In: Állattenyésztés, 2:119-125.
Becze, József - Látits, György - Mátrai, Tibor 1971. Oestrum-precipitation of the ewes, out of season, with one-shot injection meddling. In: Magyar Állatorvosok Lapja. Budapest. 4:211-212.
Botkin, M.P. - Lang, R.L. 1978. Influence of severe dietary restriction the dry period on subsequent ewe productivity. In: J. Anim. Sci. Champaign. 5:1147-1150.
Rattkay, P.U. - Jagusch, K.T. - Smith, J.F. 1978. Sheep flushing ewes on pasture and silage. In: Ruakava, F.M.R.S. Conference, Wellington. 30:24-26.
Veress, László 1974. The possibility of the increase of the reproductiveness in the sheep-breeding. In: Állattenyésztés. No.3.
Csizi, István 1997. Milk-source in the fold, catch each penny. In: Magyar Állattenyésztk Lapja. Budapest. 9:14-15.
Tóth, István 1982. Keeping-technology of the lamb-progeny at the state farm in Meztúr. Dissertation. Gödöll. pp.1-111.
Tóth, István 1982. Technical-economical examination of the technological equipment by the fall and suggestions for the modernization. Meztúr. pp.24-78.

SITUATION OF SHEEP AND GOAT PRODUCTION
IN SR YUGOSLAVIA

Krajinovi, M.
inkulov, Mirjana
ujovi, M.
Meki, C.
University of Belgrade,
Faculty of Agriculture
Beograd-Zenum, Yugoslavia

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ABSTRACT

• • • • • • • • The sheep is the most widespread domestic animal. It is reared upon all continents, under all climatic conditions, in lowland and mountainous areas. Characteristic of sheep is their capability of using feeds and lands which are not possible to use for other purposes. Sheep production in Yugoslavia has an enormous importance in food production (milk and meat), textile industries (wool), arable production (manure), leather industry (skin), etc.
                In the last decade goat production experienced an increase in the whole world and in our country, too. The goats are reared mainly for meat, milk and skin and then for hair and mohair, respectively.
                According to data for 1966, there are 2 656 000 sheep in Yugoslavia. Production of sheep milk in 1995 amounted 49 million litres, i.e. 43 litres per ewe. Production of raw wool in the same year was 3 878 tonnes, i.e. 1.6 kg per animal. Total production of mutton and lamb amounted 28 000 tonnes.
                According to statistical data of 1996, the number of goats in Yugoslavia amounted to 310 000, while there are no production data for that species of animal.
                With respect to breed composition of sheep, the most numerous breed in Yugoslavia is the primitive Zackel (about 80 percent of the total population) in the form of several varieties, while about 8 percent are of the Tsigai breed. The rest of the population consisted of Württemberg and Ile de France breeds and their crosses with Zackel and Tsiagi breed.
                A similar situation exists with respect to goat breeds. It is considered that 3-5 percent of the population consists of Saanen, Alpine, and Swiss mountain, 15 percent of Domestic White Milk breed, while the rest of them are crosses - Domestic Balkan breed and goats of that type.
                As with sheep production, that of goat production in Yugoslavia is of extensive to semi-intensive character with low production. Such a condition imposes the need for organized planning and creation of programmes for improvement of these productions.
                The experts are planning an organization of semi-intensive production in upland and hill farming regions, and creation of more productive population by means of selection and crossing. In the lowland regions there are all conditions present for organization of intensive production by using the existing Tsigai breed as the ancient one, which is necessary to protect and preserve. It is necessary to upgrade the rest of population or to apply industrial cross-breeding with foreign meat breeds in order to produce lambs.

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USEFUL ANCIENT SHEEP BREEDS IN THE DANUBIAN REGION

Gáspárdy, András
Eszes, Ferenc
Bodó, Imre
University of Veterinary Science
Dept. of Animal Husbandry
Budapest, Hungary

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ABSTRACT

The DAGENE (Danubian Countries Alliance for conservation of Genes in Animal Species) undertook the description and comparison of different traits of the native sheep breeds of the area. The purpose of the preservation of genetic resources is to serve the aspirations of humanity for the unknown distant future. It seems, however, that some niches of the market are open for some products of native sheep breeds even nowadays.
This is the reason that the goal of scientific investigation on the characteristics of sheep breeds in the Danubian area is

• • · on one hand to clarify the genetic distance between breeds, and
    · on the other hand to look for their traits which can be considered competitive even in the present time.

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ANCIENT BREEDS IN DANUBIAN REGION

• • • • • • • • The description of different sheep breeds and investigation of the relationship between them seems difficult because there is much confusion in this respect.
                There are breeds which are closely related, or even the same breed having different names. The best example is the family of Zackel. Possible synonym are: Tzurkana, Curkana, Racka, Valachian sheep, Valaschka (Dunka et al., 1984). The range of this breed is from the Rumanian mountains through the chain of Karpats and the Hungarian Plain up to the Beskidek mountains and even to Bavaria. This series of breeds can be considered either a breed group or a breed with varieties. Within this group as a unique variety: the Hortobágy Racka has twisted horns (Bodó 1985,1994).
                Another large group is the Tsigai (Cigája, Tzigai) group. The name is the same throughout Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia; at the same time other possible synonyms are used - the Pleven black headed sheep in Bulgaria, as well as Karaguna in Greece or Ruda in Albania. But there are some different varieties: the body size of the animals is not the same in hilly areas as on the plain. A more important difference is between the so called Zombor Tsigai and the other Tsigai sheep (Csóka type); these can nearly be considered different breeds. The ewes and rams of the Zombor type are bigger, long-legged animals with extremely convex heads and very long ears. Some say that they are similar to the Italian Razza Bergamasca, others say it must be an influence of East-Friesian sheep more than a hundred years ago. It is illustrated in Table 1.

Table 1. Measurements of Tsigai varieties

• • • • • • • • There is a kind of co-operation going on with many countries, and the following breeds are involved in the research work of DAGENE: (DAGENE is a society established at Bugacpuszta in 1988) (Table 2.).

Table 2. Native sheep breeds

Country	Sheep breeds
Austria	Kartner Brillenschaf, Steinschaf, Waldschaf
Bosnia	Pramenka
Bulgaria	Pleven Blackhead
Croatia	Ruda Paska
Czech Republic	Sumavska, Primorska, Valachian Tzigai
Germany (Bavaria)	Steinschaf, Bergschaf, Waldschaf, Valachianschaf
Hungary	Racka, Tsigai, Cikta
Northern Italy	Frabosana, Sambucana
Romania	Valachian, Tzurkana, Racka
Slovakia	Valachian, Tzigai,
Slovenia	Bovska, Pramenka, Jazerskosolcavska
Switzerland	Spiegelschaf, Schwarzbraun Bergschaf, Luzeiner Fuchsfarbenes Engadienerschaf., Elbschaf, Brindner Oberlander

• • • • • • • • In order to evaluate the results of this co-operation, the following conferences and workshops were organized on the given topic:

• • • • Bugacpuszta	1989	Zagreb-Pag	1994
        Krems	1991	Prague	1995
        Üll	1992	Sibiu	1997
        Kosice	1993	Kosice	1997

• • • • • • • • The description of different breeds and populations is based upon the morphological traits, the wool composition, blood groups and other polymorphisms. Also the DNA, and microsatellites should be involved. The plan is a cooperation with the Herceghalom and North England University labs within the framework of INCO COPERNICUS, if the next call for papers will allow this topic. Subsequently, a publication is planned, also illustrated by standard photos.

THE RECENT USE OF ANCIENT, LOCAL BREEDS

• • • • • • • • The primary reason for the preservation of local, rare breeds has been the idea to serve the human requirements and aspirations for distant far future. Many of the local breeds are threatened by extinction because of the dominance of modern breeds of high performance. In Hungary and also in Bulgaria, the Merino breed was dominant. Now the percentage of Merino is going down and the local breeds are increasing, because of the change in the wool market.
                Not all the local breeds could be considered as endangered ones, e.g. the Tsigai was threatened in Slovakia and Hungary but many millions were living in Romania or in Bulgaria.
                The endangered breeds are more or less subsidized by the governments. It is a kind of contradiction between the marketing and the search for subsidies. The donation is indispensable, because it can ensure the survival of the rare, non-commercial breeds. Without the income from subsidies the breed would disappear. The well-subsidized breeders have no initiatives to look for new markets for their product. Thus, it is difficult to find a good balance between protection and marketing. To build up a supply for the market of course, needs much time.
                The Hungarian rare sheep breeds afford good examples of the actual situation of the market and possible marketing.
                The coarse wool of the Hungarian Racka can be used well for folkcraft (Bodó et al 1991). There are traditional ways of processing but of course it needs organization because the shepherds do not know the methods of processing, and when they sell the wool the profit will go into the hands of the industry and commerce, and thus the breeding is not profitable. The Racka lambs have an attractive fur, which is as nice as that of Karakul, but of course, not the same. The introduction of such a different article into the world market would be difficult and complicated.
                The Zombor type of Tsigai is a good milk producer. In general, these ewes in both Yugoslavia and Hungary can give about 200 kg milk in a lactation, the lambs' milk included (Table 3.).

Table 3.: Results of milk recording 1966

Resource: Sheep Breeders Ass'n (1997)

CONCLUSIONS

• • • • • • • • An important investigation is going on concerning the relationship between the sheep breeds of the Danubian Valley. The different wool types, morphological traits and immunogenetic data are studied, and the DNA comparison is planned for the future. Besides the indispensable subsidies for the maintenance of native breeds of the region, the marketing is also important. Theoretically the Racka could be a competitive fur producer, and the Zombor variety of the Tsigai could be considered as a dairy sheep breed.

REFERENCES

Bodó, I. 1985. Hungarian activity on the conservation of domestic animal genetic resources. In: AGRI 4:16-22.
Bodó, I.- Dunka, B.- Karle G. & Gera I. 1991. The fur production of Racka sheep In: Genetic characteristics of native domestic breeds (Univ. Vet. Sci. Edit) 2: 49-64. (In Hungarian)
Bodó, I. 1994. The Hungarian Racka. In: AGRI 13:83-91.
Dunka, B. 1984. A magyar racka (The Hungarian Racka) In: Hortobágyi Nemzeti Park, Debrecen 9 p. In Hungarian
Sheep Breeders' Ass'n 1996. Magyar Juhtenyészt Szövetség idszaki Tájékoztatója. (Temporary report of Hungarian Sheep Breeders' Association) Authors : Hajduk P., Sáfár L. and Hrabovszky Pálné. Sziriusz Nyomda Budapest. (In Hungarian)

EXAMINATION OF PROGRAMMING OF THE REPRODUCTION AND MILK PRODUCTION OF THE AWASSI BREED IN INTENSIVE BREEDING

Kiss, Barnabás Látits, György
Awassi Corporation Institute of Animal Husbandry
Bakonszeg, Hungary Gödöll University of Agricultural Sciences
Gödöll, Hungary

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ABSTRACT

The Awassi Corporation imported 450 Awassi sheep from Israel in 1989-1990 to create a nucleus flock of a high-yielding dairy sheep in Hungary. For the purpose of becoming more acquainted which the reproductive and propagative attributes of the Awassi breed, we worked out a reproductive-biological programme based on hormone treatment. The goal of the examination was to create a propagation and milk production program which comes up to the domestic milk production system.

Key words: Awassi breed, reproduction , hormones
---------------------------------------------

INTRODUCTION

The Awassi Corporation is a privately owned company specialized in the production of special sheep products. For increasing the sheep milk production, the company imported 450 extremely high milking ability Awassi sheep from Israel. The naturalization of the Awassi was completed in Hungary, but we do not have exact knowledge of the reproductive and propagative attributes of the breed. For the purpose of becoming more acquainted with the exact data of the reproductive biology of the breed, we decided to cooperate with the Animal Breeding Institute of the University of Agriculture of Gödöll.
An oestrus inducing and synchronization experiment was made with respect to the breeding goals in the three important and critical seasons in 1996-1997, to clear up the results of the application of the classic and time-honoured methods in the case of the high milk producing Awassi flock.

The motivation of the planned experiment was the following:

· The literature concerning the reproductive biology of this breed was poor.
· This breed is not native in Hungary and the naturalization of the Awassi has not yet been completed.
· The ewes' endocrine system is much more complicated (because of the high milk production) than in other Hungarian breeds.
· The connection between the seasonality of the reproduction and the milk production was not known.
· To know the possibility of programming the reproduction and milk production of the breed through intensive breeding.

The main goals of the examination were:

· to find out how the Awassi ewes' (both those which were in lactation and those which had finished lactation) sexual activity and synchronization of rutting can be worked out in Hungary, where the main breeding season is based principally on the Merino breeding season;
· to examine whether the rutting - induced by hormones - would lead to normal ovulation;
· to fix the time of the ovulation in order to determine the optimal time of the insemination;
· to conform to the original programme (out of season lambing in Hungarian sheep industry);
· to be acquainted with the method and result of how the Awassi ewes responded to superovulation (which was generated by hormone treatment).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

According to the goals, the experiments were carried out in three different seasons :

· in breeding season (October 1996)
· in passing season (February-March 1997)
· in out of season (June 1997)

Table 1. The programme of the hormone treatment in June,1997

Calendar date	Programme date	Time	Procedure
June 04	Day 1	AM	Insert sponges

First group /non lactation/:

Calendar date	Programme date	Time	Procedure
June 16	Day 13	9 AM	Pulling out sponges and 1000 NE PMSG
June 17	Day 14	9 AM	1000 NE Choriogonin
June 19	Day 16	AM	Operation

Table 1. continue

Second group:

Calendar date	Programme date	Time	Procedure
June 15	Day 12	8 AM	1000 NE PMSG
June 16	Day 13	8 AM	Pulling out sponges
June17	Day 14	8 AM	1000 NE Choriogonin
June 19	Day 16	AM	Operation

Third group:

Calendar date	Programme date	Time	Procedure
June 15	Day 12	8 AM	1000 NE PMSG
June 16	Day 13	8 AM	Pulling out sponges
June 17	Day 14	20 PM	1000 NE Choriogonin
June 20	Day 17	AM	Operation

Fourth group:

Calendar date	Programme date	Time	Procedure
June 15	Day 12	8 AM	1000 NE PMSG
June 16	Day 13	8 AM	Pulling out sponges
June 17	Day 14	8 AM	1000 NE Choriogonin
June 20	Day 17	PM	Operation

We put the regular and classical oestrus inducing and synchronization treatment into practice using 14 day-lasting progesterone +PMSG i.m. For the progesterone treatment sponges (Chronogest, Intervet) were used in all cases. The dosage of the PMSG (Folligon, Intervet) was modified according to the changing of the breeding seasons as follows:

• I. Experiment in October 500 NE
  II. Experiment in February -March 750 NE

The process of the ovary was examined by diagnostic operation after the dosage of PMSG, in the same way in all cases, after 55-60 hours, 65-70 hours and 75-80 hours.
RESULTS

The Awassi ewe flock which were not in lactation gave an excellent response to the classical oestrus inducing and synchronization treatment during the fall breeding season. The ovulation proceeded between 65 and 80 hours after the hormone treatment (similar to the domestic Merinos).
The oestrus inducing treatment with the dosage of 750 NE PMSG also proceeded with good results in the passing season. The growth and maturation of the folliculus proceeded uniformly to the haemorrhage phase of the ovulation, but the time of the ovulation was late by a few hours compared to the fall breeding season. But this change was not great enough to give us reason to modify the exact time of the insemination.
The experiment which was done in early summer was compared to the results of the earlier two experiments. The Awassi ewes gave an extremely good response to the hormone treatment in that season which is out of season in Hungary, and gave us a good reason for the efficiency of flushing embryos from the donor Awassi ewes.

Table 2. Summarized results of three experiments

Experiment	Time of the experiment	Type of the treatment	Numbers of the folliculus
1st	October 96	Synchronization	20
2nd	February-March 97	Induced rutting	16/11 ewes
3rd	June 97	Superovulation	97/18 ewes

CONCLUSIONS

According to the results of the experiment, the adaptation to the Hungarian environmental circumstances in the case of the Awassi sheep was surely completed. It is well shown by the neuero-endocrine system, which is responsible for the normal reproductive and propagative attributes of the animals. In the "out of season" time the regular use of this method and the up-to-date hormone medicines can give us good possibilities for producing more sheep milk during this non-productive season. This way in those sheep flocks which were based recently on intensive milk production, we can milk one part of the ewes all year with the help of lactation programming.

REFERENCES

Becze, Gy. & Látits, Gy 1978. Relationships of frequent lambings with meat production in sheep breeding. In: Proceedings of the Research Institute for Animal Husbandry, Hungary Herceghalom TOM. 4. N.1:161-165.
Kanyicska, B. - Látits, Gy. - Holdas, S. & Szegedi, B. 1985. Study of the role of the endogenous opioids in the regulation of the seasonal cycling in ewes. In: Reports of the Research Centre for Animal Production and Nutrition. Gödöll, 67-73 p.
Kiss, B. 1996. Introducing the Awassi Corporation. In: The shepherd. Vol. 41. 9: 38-41.
Kiss, B. - Kovács, P. - Székelyhidi, T. & Kukovics, S. 1997. Breeding aims to develop sheep milk production. In: Data Collection and Definition of Objectives in shhep and goat breeding programmes: New programmes 137-141 p.
Látits, Gy. & Becze, J. 1975. Az ovuláció idbeli lefolyása szezonon kívül indukált ivarzásban, tekintettel a termékenyítési idõ megválasztására. In: Állattenyésztési Kutatóintézet Közleményei II. kötet 1.szám 51-53 p.
Látits, Gy. 1989. Magyar Merinó anyajuhok szezonális ivari mködése. In: Kandidátusi értekezés, Herceghalom
Látits, Gy. 1986. Comparative study of some oestrus-inducing hormone preparation. In: Reports of the Research Centre for Animal Production and Nutrition. Gödöll, 67-73 p.
Látits, Gy. 1985. Examination of sexual and breeding maturity of the Hungarian Merino ewe lambs. In: Reports of the Research Centre for Animal Production and Nutrition. Gödöllõ, 59-65 p.
Látits, Gy. 1987. Study of Hungarian Merino ewes' ovarian function regarding factors that influence breeding seasons on large scale production. In: 38th Annual Meeting of the Europian Association for Animal production. Lisbon, Portugal
Látits, Gy. & Bártfai, E. 1996. Climatic influence on the endocrine control of seasonal reproductive activity in ewes. In: 47^th Annual Meeting of the Europian Association for Animal production.Lillehammer, Norway.

MEAT QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF HUNGARIAN SHEEP GENOTYPES

Molnár, Györgyi
Jávor, András
Department of Animal Production and Nutrition
Debrecen University of Agricultural Sciences
Debrecen, Hungary

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ABSTRACT

There are several qualification systems determining live animal and carcass quality. Researchers and breeders use some: such as the CT test used in Hungary. Trade uses others: the live animal and the EUROP qualification. The third group of systems consists of methods used by breeders and traders as well (boning and meat quality test after slaughtering).
Traders use the simplest and the cheapest one, but this is the least reliable, because it includes subjective elements. There are differences among results of different methods, but certain amount of observations makes the comparison possible. Therefore, rules of this process must be determined. At the same time, differences in emerging Merino qualification must be also determined, since different genotypes, slaughtering age and individuals with different growing ability are considered.
Different aspects, relationships derived from different genotypes, husbanding systems and that which may have a potential role in selection need to be understood.
Analyses were conducted on eight genotypes (Suffolk, Ile de France, German Mutton Merino, Bábolna Tetra, Prolific Merino, British Milksheep, Hungarian Combing Merino, Prolific Merino x Texel F1). Animals were from controlled breeding flocks. The control was the domestic production flock. In total, 617 animals were slaughtered at the average weight of 29.73 kg.
The objective is to provide information on domestic breed choice, including rams for breeders, in order to develop their breeding strategy considering slaughtering and meat quality characteristics important in the European Union.
A further target is to determine the Hungarian sheep variation, the relationship between parameters (body size, dressing percentage, meat nutritional parameters, organoleptic quality etc.) and the appearance, as well as how closely animals meet the requirements of the EU in association with the subjective-objective qualification method. ,,TOBEC" tissue qualification that has never been used on sheep is also carried out with an EM-SCAN SA-3203 instrument.
What kind of other measurable factors can provide information for the qualifier to decrease subjective elements? Are there opportunities in rams of domestic varieties to improve meat quality_ These are the most interesting questions covered in this work.
The followings are the most important findings:
· The EUROP qualification results of the domestic Merino flock don't meet demands. The Ile de France, the German Mutton Merino and the British Milksheep, among analysed breeds, are suitable for conformity improvement.
· Neither PSE nor DFD meat quality were found in sheep breeds.
· Conformity data can be well predicted from certain body parameters, therefore these can be utilized in direct selection.
· Results of organoleptic qualification supported the Merino popularity among consumers.
· The TOBEC method is suitable for determining tissue composition of sheep; 4 500 Ft can be saved using this method. An equation for sheep meat analyses was determined.
· The breeding value predicting equation must be changed with the knowledge of results.
---------------------------------------------
INTRODUCTION

There are several qualification systems determining live animal and carcass quality, as well. Researchers and breeders use some: such as the CT test used in Hungary. Trade uses others: the live animal and the EUROP qualification. The third group of systems consists of methods used by breeders and traders as well (boning and meat quality test after slaughtering).
Traders use the simplest and the cheapest one, but this is the least reliable, because it includes subjective elements. Nevertheless it is worthy to note that the CT-test and the classification after slaughtering are very expensive. New, cheaper methods must be found besides these. The TOBEC is such a method. Certainly, there are differences among results of different methods, but certain amount of observations makes the comparison possible. Therefore, rules of this process must be determined.
The objective of this study is to provide information on domestic breed choice, including rams for breeders, in order to develop their breeding strategy considering slaughtering and meat quality characteristics important in the European Union.
A further target is to determine the Hungarian sheep variation, the relationship between parameters (body size, dressing percentage, meat nutritional parameters, organoleptic quality etc.) and the appearance as well as how closely animals meet the requirements of the EU in association with the subjective-objective qualification method. "TOBEC" tissue qualification that has never been used on sheep is also carried out with an EM-SCAN SA-3203 instrument.
What kind of other measurable factors can provide information for the qualifier to decrease subjective elements? Are there opportunities in rams of domestic varieties to improve meat quality_ These are the most interesting questions covered in this work.

• The followings are the most important findings:

· The EUROP qualification results of the domestic Merino flock don't meet demands. The Ile de France, the German Mutton Merino and the British Milksheep, among analysed breeds, are suitable for conformity improvement.
· Neither PSE nor DFD meat qualities were found in sheep breeds.
· Conformity data can be well predicted from certain body parameters, therefore these can be utilized in direct selection.
· Results of organoleptic qualification supported the Merino popularity among consumers.
· The TOBEC method is suitable for determining tissue composition of sheep; 4 500 Ft can be saved using this method. An equation for sheep meat analyses is determined.
· The breeding value predicting equation must be changed with the knowledge of results.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Analyses were conducted on eight genotypes (Suffolk, Ile de France, German Mutton Merino, Bábolna Tetra, Prolific Merino, British Milksheep, Hungarian Combing Merino, Prolific Merino, Prolific Merino x Texel F1). Animals were from controlled breeding flocks. The control group was the domestic production flock. In total, 617 animals were slaughtered at the average weight of 29.73 kg.
The following parameters were analysed:

Live weight
Warm carcass weight
Carcass parameters:
· length of leg
· width of hindquarters
· back width
· width of shoulders
· length of body
· thickness of thigh
S/EUROP classification
· EU body classification category
· EU-fat cover category
Meat samples from the longissimus dorsi at the 12^th vertebra:
· pH ₁ at 45^th minute
· pH ₂₄
· tenderness and taste of meat
· oven loss
· smell
· dry-matter content
· crude fat content
· crude protein content

Body weights of individuals before, and the warm carcass weights after slaughtering were measured. During the first one hour the pH₁ above the 12^th vertebra and body parameters were recorded. Carcasses were also classified in accordance to S/EUROP on the same day. Body parameters were recorded by arc-compasses. Cold carcass weight and pH₂₄ were measured just before cut. Samples were taken from the longissimus dorsi at the region of 12^th and 13^th vertebrae. These were analysed in the Central laboratory of the Debrecen Agricultural University. Methods used were from booklets of the National Research Institute for Meat Industry (Vadáné Kovács Mária, 1975). Tenderness and smell of meat were estimated on scales of 1-5 and 1-3, respectively. Crude fat and crude protein were analysed on the basis of MSZ. 5874-2/1985 and MSZ. 5874-8/1978 standards, respectively.

RESULTS

Table 1, containing the percentile distribution of EUROP classification results, shows that only 15 percent of the domestic commercial flock is in the acceptable (R) category. Excellent results of Ile de France, German Mutton Merino and the British Milksheep and the fact that Merino-breeding flocks surpass the domestic average should be underlined. The American Suffolk is underestimated in the EUROP system attributed to its long and lean body.

• The following conclusion can be made from the distribution of fat cover results. The Hungarian flock is excellent, since 71 percent and 24 percent of that is in the desirable (2) and suitable (+) categories, respectively. The rate of excessively lean (drying up easily) meat is less than 5 percent, that of excessively fat covered is only 0.5 percent. Results in the Netherlands are less favourable, since the rate of excessively dry meat is between 9 and 25 percent in different weight categories.

It is pointed out from results of correlation analyses presented in Table 2 that reliable correlation coefficients are between body weight and body length, backwidth, width of shoulder and thickness of thigh, as well. Furthermore, the EU score can be forecasted well from width of shoulder, thickness of thigh and backwidth.

Table 1. Percentile distribution of conformation and fat cover concerning EUROP

Great Britain⁽²⁾: 93 % of flock is in 2 and 3L categories

Source: 1: G. C. de Graaff, 1996; 2: MLC yearbook, 1996; 3: own data, 1995-1996

Table 2. Correlations among certain parameters

Significance level: P_0,05

Four critics participated in the organoleptic qualification, and meat was classified on four aspects. Results of this process are presented in Table 3. There is no influence of genotype on pH right after slaughtering and after 24 hours (Table 4). Carcasses of all breeds correspond to scientific literature.

• Significant differences are not found according to dry matter content among genotypes. There are no differences in oven loss results, except the excessively unfavourable loss of 29 percent in the German Mutton Merino. Either the relative or the absolute crude protein content is around the average, but the crude fat content is the lowest in the sample of the Hungarian Combing Merino.

The following conclusions can be made:
· The meat of Merino was the most palatable.
· Also, this meat was the most favourable from the tenderness aspect, followed by the Texel F1 and German Mutton Merino samples in decreasing order.
· The smell of Merino and Bábolna Tetra sheep meat are the least favourable.
· The greatest quantity of chewing was needed for the meat sample of Ile de France.
· EUROP classification results of the domestic Merino flock were behind the desirable level.
· The Ile de France, German Mutton Merino and the British Milksheep, among breeds analysed, were suitable for conformity improvement.
· None of the breeds in the domestic flock had extreme PSE or DFD values.
· Certain live body parameters were suitable for forecasting values of conformity, therefore these were well utilized in indirect selection.
· Results of organoleptic qualification supported the Merino popularity among consumers.
Table 3. Results of organoleptic qualification

Table 4. The most significant meat parameters (%)

• DM%=Dry Matter content; CP%=Crude Protein content, CF%=Crude Fat content; REL=Relative; ABS=Absolute

REFERENCES

Molnár, Gy. & Jávor, A. 1997. The meat production of genotypes and the meat quality. In: Book of Abstracts of the 48th Annual Meeting of the European Association for Animal Production, Vienna, Austria 209. p.
C. de Graaff 1996. - personal communications
MLC yearbook, 1996
Kukovics, S. - Jávor, A. - Molnár, Gy. - Ábrahám, M. & Molnár, A. 1997. A juhtenyésztés minségének fejlesztése. In: Agro-21" Füzetek, Az agrárgazdaság jövképe, 17:. 76-100.
Fabregas, X. - Torre, C. - Caja, G. - Casals, R. & Rivas, F. 1989. Comparison of carcasses of Ripollesa, Precoce x Ripollesa, German Mutton Merino x Ripollesa lambs slaughtered at light and heavy body weights. In: Agriculture, EUR-Publication, No. 11893: 383-388.
Meat and Livestock Commission (1990): Sheep carcass classification results. In: Sheep yearbook 1990, 35-44 p.
Eraso, E. - Cabrero, M. & Garcia-de-Siles, JL. 1982. Some aspects of carcass grading and characters in sheep. In: Anales del Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrarias, Granada, No. 13: 27-31.

S/EUROP MEAT QUALIFICATION OF SOME SHEEP BREEDS IN HUNGARY

Molnár, András
Research Institute for Animal
Breeding and Nutrition
Herceghalom, Hungary

---------------------------------------------
ABSTRACT

• • • • • • • • Since 1996 the Hungarian sheep breed classification system has been implemented by the S/EUROP meat qualification method.
                During the first two years (1996 to 1997) the ram and female lambs belonging to seven breeds were tested according to the requirements of the new system. The following breeds were included in these studies: Hungarian Merino, German Mutton-Merino, Fertile Merino, Ile de France, Bábolna Tetra, Suffolk and British Milksheep.
                Summarizing the results, one could conclude the meat conformations of the sheep-breeds originated from the nucleus flocks in Hungary, which was not wrong but not entirely correct, either. The greatest average was around the "R" category, some of which could touch the "U" category. The fat cover of the carcasses was a little bit more than desirable and its distribution was unequal.

Based on the results, the use of meat type breeds could be recommended in improving the meat traits of the native Merinos even if the light lamb production is preferred.
---------------------------------------------

INTRODUCTION

• • • • • • • • OMMI (Hungarian Agricultural Qualifying Institute) is carrying out self-performance testing as part of the breed qualification process. This testing was supplemented with EU conformed S/EUROP meat qualification in 1996. Qualification is carried out by certified supervisors educated by the Dutch RDP, a qualifying organization licensed in the EU.
                The use of the Southern European qualification system would be justified because most slaughtered sheep are marketed in the low weight category.
                Nevertheless, Hungarian qualification standards judge carcasses in the lower section of the S/EUROP Northern European system.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Self-performance tests of ram and ewe lambs of seven breeds, namely Hungarian Merino, German Mutton-Merino, Prolific Merino, Bábolna Tetra, Suffolk, British Milksheep, and Ile de France were completed in the last two years. The test was followed by trial slaughters of five male and five female sheep of each breed.

• • • • • • • • Following the forty days of fattening in the test unit, during which the lambs were kept in the same conditions and received the same feeds, the animals were shaughtered and qualified. The warm carcasses were classified following the orders of the S/EUROP method, by two official supervisors.

RESULTS

• • • • • • • • According to body conformation, lambs by and large belonged to category `R'. Hungarian Merino is close to the lower limit of category `R' and high deviation is due to the shift in proportions. Although muscularity of thighs fits into category `R', the backbone area and blade bones are poorly muscled. Fat cover of rams was ideal, while high deviation was found in the case of ewe lambs and there were definitely fatty carcasses among them.
                German Meat-Merino - true to its name - was ranked into a somewhat higher category. Carcasses are more fleshy and the first part of body is well-muscled as well. The whole group is very uniform. Fat cover is even, although slightly higher than ideal.
                In the meat conformation of Prolific Merino the poorly muscled backbone area is obvious and legs are not too well-muscled either. There is a high deviation in fat cover and this trait draws near to undesirable class three.
                In the case of Ile de France, good meat conformation is paired with fleshy carcasses. The back area and blade bones are well-muscled as well. Fat cover is even, maybe a little too much on the backbone area of ewe lambs.
                Sheep in the Bábolna Tetra breed showed the whole range of category `R'. The conformation of carcasses is good, although the backbone area and inner thighs could be more muscled. Fat cover is uneven. Similar to the Prolific Merino, this breed tends toward category three.
                Suffolk breed did not excel in this weight category. It complies with R+ value, supple rather than showing the good appearance of the breed. Fat cover is higher than desirable.
                The triple purpose use of British Milksheep places the breed on the dividing line of `R' and `U' categories, although good thigh conformation is joined with weak first body part and poorly muscled back. Fat cover is fair.

CONCLUSION

• • • • • • • • It can be stated, that meat conformation of carcasses of the studied sheep breeds is not bad, although it lags behind the `good commercial article' category. Fat cover is slightly higher than desirable and its uneven distribution (concentrated on the rump) is unfavorable.
                These data suggest that improvement of body conformation of non-mutton-type breeds with mutton breeds is necessary - even if meat conformation is not evaluated in the Southern European qualification system.

S/EUROP classification of carcasses

• • • • • • • • • • Hungarian Merino

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