Economic Assessments of Hormonal and Nutritional Treatments for Improvement of Awassi Sheep Production in Jordan

Abstract

The animal production sector in Jordan is characterized by shortages of locally produced feedstuffs derived from rangeland, forage plants or from human food crops as by products. This is exacerbated by insufficient rainfall, overgrazing, early grazing and high stocking rate. Thus, subject to these constraints, other technological improvements are highly desirable to meet the needs of crop growth and animal production. Alternative adapted technologies are also desirable in order to meet the increased demand for red meat in relation to population growth along with the changes in the price subsidy for feedstuff. The technologies are those, which have been introduced to the animal production sector, obtained in agricultural research stations besides on-farm demonstrations. They include technologies suited for increasing birth and twining rates, synchronizing the mating period, introducing the early weaning method, and animal feed and sheep production. Economic assessments conducted in this study demonstrate promising results of hormonal and nutritional practices in improving production efficiency of Awassi sheep in Jordan. Jordanian published data between 1991 and 1998 were used. The examined practices were: 1) use of PMSG in estrus synchronization in ewes, 2) introduction of early lamb weaning program, 3) supplementation with AD 3 E for ewes and 4) the use of agro-industrial feed block as a feed supplement for grazing lambs. Production data were then subjected to partial budgeting for economical evaluation. The use of PMSG outperformed the control groups in fertility and net returns per ewe by US$ 8.36/ewe. The early weaning of lambs increased the net returns by US$ 3.90/lamb. The injection with vitamin AD 3 E showed an average additional net return of US$ 5.66/ewe. Feeding agriculture by-product blocks improved weight gain in the feed block groups and resulted in additional net returns of US$ 3.5/lamb. The economic viability and reproductive performance indicators demonstrate that efforts should be undertaken to disseminate these new practices in the development program.

The effect of estrus synchronization programmes on parturition time and some reproductive characteristics of Saanen goats

“…Flugestone acetate is a synthetic analogue of progesterone and used for estrus synchronization of goats throughout the breeding and non-breeding periods. Additionally, intramuscular injection of a pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) at withdrawal of progestagen sponge is used for multi-ovulation (Nasr et al 2002, Whitley & Jackson, 2004. However, multi-ovulation causes multiple gestations and may increase the mortality rate of kids due to low birth weight or insufficient milk production by the mother for the consumption of each kid in equal amounts or insufficient maternal care.…”

Patterns of Reproductive Management in Sheep and Goat Farms in Greece

“…In Greece, no specific financial assessment of the scheme has been made, although Gelasakis [ 14 ] considered the application of reproductive control as important for profit making in sheep and goat farming. A more precise assessment was made in Jordan by Nasr et al [ 15 ], who reported a profit of USD 8.36 per ewe in flocks in which reproductive control had been applied. Specific financial benefits in reproductive control were also reported by Yu et al [ 16 ].…”