Analysis Of Sheep Production System In Southern And Northeastern Zones Of Tamil Nadu
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Date
2007
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Publisher
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
Abstract
A study was conducted to analyse the sheep production system under
field conditions in southern and northeastern zone of Tamil Nadu. A total
number of 320 sheep farmers and their flocks comprising 160 from each zones
formed the study subject. In southern zone agriculture and in northeastern zone
animal husbandry was the main occupation of the respondents. Majority of the
sheep farmers in both zones were Hindus and belonged to backward class
followed by schedule caste/tribes and most backward classes. Sheep owners in
both zones were mostly of old age group and literates. Nuclear family type
dominated in both the zones. Among the total farmers five per cent in southern
zone and 15 per cent in northeastern owned single species sheep alone. The
mean annual household income of sheep farmers in southern and northeastern
zones were Rs.53,067/- and Rs.32,018/-, respectively.
Almost one-half of the sheep farmers in both zones had more than two
decades of experience in sheep farming.
Flocks with more than single
ownership was not found in southern zone but prevalent in northeastern zone(7.50 per cent). Migratory system of sheep production was prevalent only in
southern zone. The average flock size in southern and northeastern zone was
100.61 and 42.13, respectively. The mean duration and distance of migration
in migratory flocks was 195.36 ± 23.60 days and 171.27 ± 30.48 kms.
Replacement stock from own farm was the main source of addition in
the flocks of both the zones. Old age was ranked as first for culling of rams and
ewes. Religious events, high demand in the market, monetary requirements,
reproductive problems, disease outbreaks and poor mothering ability were the
other reasons reported by farmers for disposal of breeding stock. Housing
pattern comprising of an open pen along with a closed roof structure was seen
in majority of the sheep holding in both the zones studied. It was observed that
50 per cent of the farmers in northeastern zone replaced soil in the floor of
sheep enclosures once a year. Storage of sheep manure in open place forming
a heap was observed in both the zones (94.38 and 90.00 per cent, respectively).
The mean grazing time (hours) during summer and other months in
southern and northeastern zone were 8.37, 7.05, 8.53 and 6.97 with mean
grazing distance (km) of 6.40, 4.61, 4.20 and 3.18 respectively. Year round
supplementation in addition to grazing was followed by 5.62 per cent farmers
in southern zone and by none in northeastern zone. Lakes were the main
source of watering sheep in both the zones.
About one-tenth of the farmers in both the zones did not practice
deworming in their flocks. Vaccination against enterotoxaemia, foot and mouth
disease, anthrax, sheep pox, PPR and blue tongue were carried out in both the
zones. Only about one-tenth of the farmers in both the zones (12.50 and 10.00
per cent) practiced dipping in their flocks.
Middlemen played a key role in marketing sheep in both the zones.
Majority of the farmers reported that price for their stock was fixed on the basis
of physical appearance alone. Van/mini lorries and trucks were the main mode
of transporting sheep.
Morbidity and mortality were higher in grower
compared to adult and lambs. Blue tongue outbreak in southern zone andsheep pox in northeastern zone accounted for higher mortality among all the
age group of sheep. In both the zones shrinkage of grazing land was ranked as
the major constraint for sheep production. Revenue from penning and low
management inputs favoured sheep farming in the study zones.
Reproductive performance of sheep in the study zones was recorded. In
both the zones lambing occurred throughout the year but October, November
and December were the main lambing months.
In stationary flocks and
migratory flocks, the mean man-days spent per animal per year was 8.33 and
5.36, and mean man minutes per animal per day was 24.27 and 21.37,
respectively. Body measurements and body weight at different age groups in
sheep breeds of both the zones were recorded.
An attempt was made to
identify the variables that influence the returns in sheep production by multiple
regression analysis.
Description
Keywords
Sheep performance, reproduction, regression analysis