Summary In Israel, more than half of the national sheep flock is kept by Bedouin in the Negev desert. Extensive production systems co-exist besides semi-intensive systems with varying economic success. There is a constant regional demand for sheep meat, but the local supply is not able to cover it. The wide gap between the performance potential of the commonly used and environmentally adapted local Awassi and improved sheep breeds suggests an increase in economic efficiency by intensification of breeding. The choice of a suitable breed for a specific system is seen as key factor for the farm success and requires the knowledge of the animals’ adaptation. Information on the performance of Bedouin sheep flocks under the given harsh production conditions are, however, missing. The purpose of the study was thus a characterization of current production systems, the assessment of the aggregated performance of the different Awassi lines kept in those systems and the impact of socio-economic and production factors on the efficiency of Bedouin sheep production. Also breeding objectives of Bedouin sheep farmers were investigated. The role of new breeding technologies in the ongoing process of intensification of sheep farming systems was analyzed and discussed. Data collection was step-wise with repeated field surveys from January 2007 till March 2009, lasting 6 months altogether. In a first diagnostic survey 30 Bedouin households in the Negev desert, located in two different climatic zones, arid and semi-arid, and keeping a minimum flock size of 50 animals, were visited. Households were grouped into 4 tribe groups according to location and ethnical background. In a second step, 21 households of the previous sample were visited again and grouped according to the breed composition of their flocks and by their use of hormonal synchronization and/or artificial insemination. Semi-structured interviews and participative observation yielded information about the socio-economic situation of the household, function of flocks, the livestock husbandry, sheep management and production. Sheep market surveys, key person interviews and secondary data were used for verification of data. Detailed information on sheep was obtained through on-farm performance recording run in 16 sheep farms, including a total of 2420 breeding ewes. Sheep of different Improved Awassi lines were present in those experimental flocks, including the Afec Awassi, carrying the Booroola gene (BB/B+), which has a major impact on prolificacy, and the Assaf breed. In a last step, 56 sheep farmers from different parts of the Negev were asked about their selection criteria for replacement. Trait preferences were derived by a consecutive ranking technique. The data analysis incorporated descriptive statistics, general linear models and non-parametric tests performed with SAS 9.1 and SAS 9.2 software. The diagnostic survey revealed that functions of sheep flocks differed significantly between tribes: in the semi-arid area with a main focus on generating income, and in tribes of the arid zone with a higher importance of subsistence related and social purposes. The primary purpose was meat production. The dual purpose of meat and milk was still found in 57% of the farms, yet only 13% of the farms were selling milk products. The missing market access was the main reason for a strong decline in the use of milk, wool and manure during the last decade. Lamb meat, providing the main output of all farms, ranged from 13 to 58 kg of marketable live weight per ewe and year (LME). Classified according to their LME, 30% of the investigated farms followed an extensive, 47% a semi-extensive and 23% a semi-intensive management. Significant differences in meat output were found for the factors tribe group, breed composition of flocks and selling age of lambs. The gross margin per ewe and year varied between -27 € and 54 € and the net benefit per flock and year (NB) between -7,020 € and 20,993 €. Both economic parameters were positively related to the meat output. Negative NB’s were realized by 43% of the farms, belonging foremost to traditional Bedouin tribes, oriented towards subsistence and living in remote areas. Only 27% of economically successful farms generated an income comparable to that of a part-time off-farm job. These farmers regularly used veterinary services to introduce improved breeds and modern breeding technology. Their good market access facilitated a strong market-oriented production, integrating lamb fattening, which had the highest impact on the production success. During the two years of research a severe drought occurred in the study region, causing a decline in LME, due to lower lambing rates and higher mortalities. To adapt to changing conditions, farms keeping the pure local Awassi breed reduced their flock sizes stronger than farms keeping also crossbreds. Consequently, the LME and the NB decreased stronger in flocks of pure local Awassi, compared to flocks with crossbreds. The decline in the NB was 14 times lower in flocks with use of hormonal synchronization and/or artificial insemination than in flocks with the local breed kept under traditional management. The lowest decline in the NB and the benefit cost ratio (BCR) were found in flocks with more than 50% crossbreds. Yet, a high variation in performance among flocks with different degrees of crossbreeding was detected. Data analysis of flocks with permanent performance recording revealed that prolificacy was significantly affected by breed, besides farm and parity. Afec Awassi (B+) ewes had a significantly (p

Sustainable management of the world's livestock genetic diversity is of vital importance to agriculture, food production, rural development and the environment. "The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture" is the first global assessment of these resources. Drawing on 169 Country Reports, contributions from a number of international organizations and 12 specially commissioned thematic studies, it presents an analysis of the state of agricultural biodiversity in the livestock sector - origins and development, uses and values, distribution and exchange, risk status and threats - and of capacity to manage these resources - institutions, policies and legal frameworks, structured breeding activities and conservation programmes. Needs and challenges are assessed in the context of the forces driving change in livestock production systems. Tools and methods to enhance the use and development of animal genetic resources are explored in sections on the state of the art in characterization, genetic improvement, economic evaluation and conservation. The main findings of the report are summarized in "The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture - in brief," of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish versions can be found on the attached CD-ROM and are also available separately in printed form. As well providing a technical reference document, the country-based preparation of "The State of the World" has led to a process of policy development and a "Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources," which once adopted, will provide an agenda for action by the international community. Published also in French.

THE ONLY SINGLE-SOURCE GUIDE TO THE LATEST SCIENCE, NUTRITION, AND APPLICATIONS OF ALL THE NON-BOVINE MILKS CONSUMED AROUND THE WORLD Featuring contributions by an international team of dairy and nutrition experts, this second edition of the popular Handbook of Milk of Non-Bovine Mammals provides comprehensive coverage of milk and dairy products derived from all non-bovine dairy species. Milks derived from domesticated dairy species other than the cow are an essential dietary component for many countries around the world. Especially in developing and under-developed countries, milks from secondary dairy species are essential sources of nutrition for the humanity. Due to the unavailability of cow milk and the low consumption of meat, the milks of non-bovine species such as goat, buffalo, sheep, horse, camel, Zebu, Yak, mare and reindeer are critical daily food sources of protein, phosphate and calcium. Furthermore, because of hypoallergenic properties of certain species milk including goats, mare and camel are increasingly recommended as substitutes in diets for those who suffer from cow milk allergies. This book: Discusses key aspects of non-bovine milk production, including raw milk production in various regions worldwide Describes the compositional, nutritional, therapeutic, physio-chemical, and microbiological characteristics of all non-bovine milks Addresses processing technologies as well as various approaches to the distribution and consumption of manufactured milk products Expounds characteristics of non-bovine species milks relative to those of human milk, including nutritional, allergenic, immunological, health and cultural factors. Features six new chapters, including one focusing on the use of non-bovine species milk components in the manufacture of infant formula products Thoroughly updated and revised to reflect the many advances that have occurred in the dairy industry since the publication of the acclaimed first edition, Handbook of Milk of Non-Bovine Mammals, 2nd Edition is an essential reference for dairy scientists, nutritionists, food chemists, animal scientists, allergy specialists, health professionals, and allied professionals.

Systematics and phylogeny of the sheep;Genetic aspects of domestication, common breeds and their origin; Genetics of colour and hair texture; Genetics of morphological traits and inherited disorders; Biochemical genetics; Molecular genetics of sheep; Molecular genetics of immune molecules; Genetics of disease resistance and vaccine response; Molecular biology and genetics of scrapie in sheep; Cytogenetics: physical chromosome maps; The sheep linkage map; Genetics of behaviour; Biology and genetics of reproduction; Modern reproduction technologies and transgenics; Developmental genetics; Genetic resources and conservation; Genetic improvement of wool production; Genetics of meat quality; Genetics of milk production; Genetic improvement of sheep; Standardized genetic nomenclature for sheep.

The oak tree was a boon companion as humans expanded their presence across much of the globe. While oak woodlands (Quercus spp.) come today in stunningly diverse forms, the stately dehesas of Spain and the dramatic oak-dominated ranchlands of California are working landscapes where cultivation and manipulation for a couple of millennia have shaped Mediterranean-type ecosystems into a profoundly modified yet productive environment that is sought-after by every manner of species. The grazing of wildlife and livestock in oak woodlands yields a remarkable plant and animal biodiversity, creating a mosaic of habitats and visually pleasing savannas. Added products unique to Spain such as Iberian pigs and cork, and in California multiple landowner benefits, include valued ecosystem services that allow owners, visitors, and conservation supporters to experience the benefits of woodland life. With its 15 chapters a decade in the making, this handsomely illustrated book covers key topics in oak woodland policy, ecology, and management in Spain and California, presenting new research results and reviewing an existing expert literature.

Given the importance of livestock to the global economy, there is a substantial need for world-class reference material on the sustainable management of livestock in diverse eco-regions. With uncertain climates involving unpredictable extreme events (e.g., heat, drought, infectious disease), environmental stresses are becoming the most crucial factors affecting livestock productivity. By systematically and comprehensively addressing all aspects of environmental stresses and livestock productivity, this volume is a useful tool for understanding the various intricacies of stress physiology. With information and case studies collected and analyzed by professionals working in diversified ecological zones, this book explores the influence of the environment on livestock production across global biomes. The challenges the livestock industry faces in maintaining the delicate balance between animal welfare and production are also highlighted.