Search Results (232)

This cross-sectional study assessed bulk-tank raw milk quality, subclinical mastitis burden, and farmers’ health management practices across 83 sheep and goat farms in the Epirus Region of northwestern Greece (October 2022–April 2023). Bulk-tank milk composition (fat 5.82%, protein 5.35%, lactose 4.82%) was consistent with Mediterranean small-ruminant norms. Mean somatic cell count (SCC) was 1123 ± 913 × 10³ cells/mL (median 883 × 10³); only 10.0% of farms met the healthy threshold (SCC ≤ 200 × 10³ cells/mL) and 26.2% exceeded the EU limit of 1500 × 10³ cells/mL (Regulation EC No 853/2004). SCC correlated positively with total bacterial count (Spearman ρ = 0.549, p < 0.001). Farmers were predominantly middle-aged (50.0 ± 11.8 years), exclusively male, and had low levels of formal education (9.0% university-educated); only 14.3% had regular veterinary support, and 34.9% practised post-milking teat dipping. Despite 51.3% self-reporting mastitis, no management or demographic variable was significantly associated with SCC after Bonferroni correction; education showed the strongest trend (Kruskal–Wallis H = 9.13, p = 0.058). The findings reveal widespread, largely undiagnosed subclinical mastitis driven by structural gaps in veterinary support, education, and hygiene practice, with direct implications for animal health and targeted advisory intervention. Full article

Genetic resources of small ruminants are essential for food security in arid regions; however, basic data for each breed in Saudi Arabia remain incomplete. This study establishes a comprehensive national database through a systematic survey of 104 farms, covering 21,214 heads of livestock (sheep and goats) across the kingdom’s primary agro-ecological zones between January and October 2025. Although national census data indicate that major breeds of sheep such as Naeemi, Najdi, Arabi, and Harri or goats such as Ardi exceed the FAO’s numerical thresholds for “not at risk,” our analysis reveals a fundamental paradox of “genetic vulnerability,” defined as a high risk of inbreeding depression and genetic stagnation despite high census numbers. The results show significant regional variations in prolificacy (p < 0.05), with the southern region displaying a substantial productivity gap compared to the central and eastern regions, mainly due to reliance on traditional grazing (46.7%) and limited infrastructure. This vulnerability is driven by a high risk of systematic inbreeding, with 65.7% of breeders acquiring sires from their own herds, a situation worsened by a severe 80% shortage of high-quality breeding males in the central region. Furthermore, selection criteria heavily emphasize esthetic phenotypic traits (over 80%) rather than production indicators (less than 8%), hindering genetic progress. Correlation analysis showed that higher farmer education levels were negatively associated with reproductive challenges (r = −0.216), while high feed prices remained a near-universal obstacle (97.1%). To mitigate these risks, we recommend implementing region-specific sire exchange programs to break closed breeding loops and establishing a national performance recording system to shift selection focus from phenotypic traits to measurable productivity. This study provides a vital, evidence-based framework for transitioning toward data-driven, resilient conservation and breeding strategies. Full article

Despite growing interest in human–animal interactions in livestock, limited information is available on whether differences in routine human contact in the home flock have lasting effects on sheep behaviour and physiological stress responses after transfer to a new herd. This study evaluated behavioural and cortisol related responses in 191 Polish Mountain sheep from five farms that were seasonally combined into one traditional Carpathian grazing flock. Before grazing, farms were classified according to selected characteristics of farmer contact with sheep, including, time spent with the flock, handling style, consistency of interaction, and farmer behaviour towards the animals. Sheep behavioural responses during milking were assessed by the shepherd and an independent observer using a five point scale in two observation periods and serum cortisol concentration was measured in ten sheep per farm. Behavioural scores were analysed using a cumulative link mixed model, with evaluator and season as fixed effects and farm and sheep identity nested within the farm as random effects. Descriptive mean behavioural scores ranged from 2.18 to 4.38, and mean cortisol concentrations ranged from 2.49 to 4.86. Farm level patterns suggested that sheep from farms with more favourable human contact tended to show calmer behaviour during milking and lower cortisol concentrations. These findings indicate that routine human contact in the home flock may be associated with later behavioural and physiological responses under communal grazing conditions. Full article

In Europe, the most valuable grasslands are semi-natural ecosystems maintained by long-term extensive human management, particularly pastoralism, and therefore do not represent climax vegetation. According to the Natura 2000 habitat interpretation manual (EUR-28), key habitats include xerothermic grasslands of Festuco-Brometalia (code 6210*) on calcareous soils and sandy grasslands of Koelerion glaucae (code 6120*) on poor substrates. Only 10–15% of their area in the EU has favorable conservation status. The main threat is secondary succession and encroachment (83.94%), caused by abandonment of traditional management (81.75%). Without mowing or grazing, dominant grasses replace rare species, followed by shrubs and trees. Other pressures include intensive agriculture (75.18%), habitat loss and fragmentation (69.34%), climate change (37.96%), invasive species (23.36%) and urbanization (14.60%). Multiple threats often co-occur, so cumulative percentages exceed 100%. The most effective conservation method is restoring or maintaining extensive grazing, particularly with local sheep and goat breeds. Grazing limits succession, increases structural diversity and promotes seed dispersal, creating a mosaic of microhabitats that enhances biodiversity. Effective protection requires landscape-scale actions, limiting urban development, and long-term support for farmers under the Common Agricultural Policy. Increasing public awareness of the ecological and cultural value of these ecosystems is also essential. Full article

One of the most important aspects of animal production is the reproductive behavior, where a widely used strategy in small ruminants is the “male effect”. However, the response to this effect can vary depending on several factors, including the social rank (SR) of both sexes. The objective of this study was to evaluate how SR influences morphometric and socio-sexual variables in Dorper sheep in Northern Mexico. Through behavioral tests, 33 rams and 59 ewes were divided into two groups taking into account their SR. Rams included high SR (HSR; n = 14) and low SR (LSR; n = 19), while ewes included HSR (n = 23) and LSR (n = 36). Morphometric response variables included age, live weight, body condition, thoracic circumference, wither height, presence of horns, and testicular circumference, whereas reproductive variables included estrus rate, ovulation rate, corpus luteum, left ovary, right ovary, pregnancy rate, and embryos’ number. The results showed no differences (p > 0.05) for the morphometric variables considered, whilst, regarding the reproductive variables, the LSR rams × HSR ewes group showed the highest number of embryos (p < 0.05), and the corpus luteum number was higher in the HSR rams × HSR ewes group (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found for the remaining variables (p > 0.05). Improving productive and reproductive performance can contribute to increased income for sheep farmers. Full article

This research aimed to investigate livestock owners’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a hypothetical livestock vaccination program in southern Ethiopia. We used both primary and secondary data. The former data were collected from 377 livestock farmers. We used descriptive statistics and a seemingly unrelated bivariate probit model to analyze the data. The double-bounded contingent valuation format was used within a seemingly unrelated bivariate probit model to identify factors influencing WTP for livestock vaccination. It was found that the average WTP for sheep and goat vaccination was 0.38 USD (United States of America dollar) yearly, while for cattle and oxen vaccination, it was 0.64. Factors such as the household head’s education, sex, and age; annual income; total livestock holdings; and farm size affected farmers’ WTP for sheep and goat vaccination in both initial and follow-up scenarios. Market access, farm experience, and access to credit also influenced WTP for cattle and oxen vaccination across both bid values. We suggest that improving socioeconomic factors, such as household well-being and access to credit services, is vital because these elements directly influence a household’s capacity to invest in livestock health and productivity. Establishing clear vaccination rates, with vaccine costs aligned to the average household income, is recommended. Full article

This study investigates the typology of the pastoral farming systems in the arid region of southern Tunisia, with a particular focus on the governorate of Tataouine. A field survey was conducted among 111 livestock farmers distributed across different agro-ecological zones. The typology of breeding systems was established using a Factor Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD), which identified eleven dimensions explaining 69.74% of the total data variance. The first three dimensions accounted for 15.91%, 8.79%, and 7.67% of the variability, respectively, and were defined by herd composition, resource availability, and management strategies, including variables such as the number of goats, sheep, and camels, distance to water sources, infrastructure, reproductive practices, and workforce availability. Hierarchical clustering revealed three distinct systems: System 1, regrouping “Small Urban Farmers”, defined by small-scale operations relying on family labor, localized feed resources, and market-driven production targeting urban consumers; System 2, representing large livestock, composed of professionalized operations with improved infrastructure, hired labor, and transhumance practices to optimize resource use and productivity; and System 3, for herds with camels, characterized by extensive systems utilizing collective rangelands and camels to adapt to arid conditions and ensure ecological resilience. The results emphasize how ecological constraints, infrastructure, and spatial organization shape the diversity of these systems. This typology provides critical insights into the challenges and potential of livestock farming in arid environments and offers a foundation for designing targeted interventions to support the sustainability of pastoral systems under increasing environmental and economic pressures. Full article

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a re-emerging, vector-borne pathogen endemic to Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, posing an increasing threat to human and animal health. Outbreaks have severe economic and social impacts on farmers, communities, and governments. Current diagnostic methods rely on PCR and ELISA; however, rapid pen-side tests would enable faster, cost-effective monitoring and outbreak control. Here, a species- and immunoglobulin class-independent capillary flow immunodiagnostic assay (lateral flow test; LFT) for detecting RVFV-specific antibodies is described. The assay uses a double-antigen approach, coupling the RVFV nucleocapsid protein, a major viral antigen, both to carbon nanoparticles and to a nitrocellulose membrane. The method was qualified with immune sera from sheep, calves, goats, and humans and benchmarked against a newly developed double-antigen ELISA and a commercial competition ELISA. Both the LFT and double-antigen ELISA demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity. This advancement brings RVFV-specific pen-side testing significantly closer to practical implementation. Full article

Footrot is one of the top five globally important diseases of sheep and causes lameness, leading to poor welfare and productivity. Transmission of Dichelobacter nodosus, the causative agent, occurs via surfaces such as pasture or bedding and persistence occurs from diseased sheep shedding bacteria into the environment; D. nodosus cannot replicate off host. High resolution proximity sensors were deployed on a flock of Poll Dorset sheep for 10–17 days at several points of the production cycle (teasing, tupping, pregnancy, and lactation (<6-week-old lambs)) between July 2018 and May 2021. Association indices between pairs of sheep were calculated, and outbreaks of footrot were simulated using a network-based susceptible-exposed-infected-recovered model. Two management approaches were modelled (1) where sheep were treated either not promptly, or effectively, resulting in long recovery times (28–100 days) and (2) where sheep were treated and recovered within 15 days, assuming ‘active management’ of footrot by the farmer using ‘best practice’ of prompt recognition of lame sheep and parenteral and topical antibiotics. Under ‘active management’ conditions (scenario 2), outbreak sizes were smaller at all points of the production cycle. This adds to existing evidence that prompt, effective treatment of sheep at all stages of the production cycle is key to reducing the prevalence of footrot in the flock, including at breeding when sheep are more likely to be in close contact. Full article

Mountain pastoralism in the Pyrenees has undergone significant transformations in recent decades due to socioeconomic change, rural depopulation, and the adoption of new technologies. This study assesses the current status and management dynamics of mountain pastures in the Jacetania region, Spanish Western Pyrenees, focusing on land tenure, demographic trends, livestock management, and the integration of digital tools. Data were collected through a structured online questionnaire addressed to sheep farmers using high-altitude communal pastures (puertos). Results showed that communal grazing systems persist, seasonal transhumance remains a voluntary and culturally significant practice, and technologies such as GPS tracking are increasingly used to enhance flock management efficiency. Key challenges include predation by large carnivores, limited infrastructure, and high grazing costs, which may affect long-term sustainability. Our findings highlight the potential of technology to mitigate socioeconomic pressures and support generational renewal, while emphasizing that maintaining resilient and sustainable mountain pastoral systems requires a careful balance between traditional practices and innovation. This study provides insights for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to ensure the ecological, cultural, and economic sustainability of high-altitude pastoralism. Full article

In African countries and many developing countries, communal farmers rely on livestock such as cattle, goats, and sheep to support food security, income, and agricultural activities. Fertility in these animals is often limited by poor semen quality, which reduces sperm concentration, total motility, and morphology. Assisted reproductive biotechnologies, including semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination, are increasingly essential to enhance reproductive efficiency and productivity. Although cryopreservation preserves valuable genetic material, it can damage sperm cells, making high-quality extenders critical for protection. Common extenders, such as Tris-egg yolk glucose, citrate-sugar-based, and skimmed milk solutions, supply nutrients and protect sperm membranes. To further minimize oxidative stress, antioxidants are incorporated, with growing interest in plant-derived compounds. Many plants contain bioactive substances, including antioxidants and phytomelatonin, which can enhance sperm quality safely and effectively. This review examines the use of plant-based antioxidants during semen cryopreservation and highlights their potential to improve fertility in mammalian livestock. Full article

Inadequate livestock production among smallholder farmers is mostly linked to insufficient supply and poor feed quality. To enhance livestock production, improving both the quantity and quality of feed supplements is important. Therefore, alternative fodder resources, such as Cannabis sativa, should be evaluated as a feed supplement for ruminants such as Dorper sheep. Cannabis sativa is an herbaceous crop commonly grown for industrial and medicinal purposes. This plant is reported to have an excellent nutritional profile and biomass production. The current study aimed to determine the agronomic parameters and biomass production of C. sativa. The experiment was conducted at the Towoomba Research Station, in Bela-Bela Municipality, Limpopo province, South Africa. The trial’s experimental design was a split-plot within a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD), and it was replicated three times. The findings of the study showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the agronomic parameters during the early (December 2023–April 2024) and late planting seasons (April 2024–July 2024). Plant height (77.3 cm), number of leaves (144 leaves), leaf area (60.18 cm²), canopy cover (31.65 cm), number of branches (25), and biomass production (5, 48 t h⁻¹) were higher at maturity in the early planting season whilst chlorophyll content was higher (38.62 nm) during early planting season at flowering stage. The study suggests that smallholder farmers should plant C. sativa during the early planting season to ensure high biomass production. Full article

Despite their importance to Fiji’s food security due to their adaptability and ease of production, the production practices of sheep and goats in Fiji are not well understood. This study characterized small ruminant production systems and determined the meat consumption patterns in Fiji Islands. Data were collected from 270 sheep and goat producers in Fiji’s two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, using a structured questionnaire that captured socio-demographic information, the importance of small ruminants to farmers, challenges faced, management practices, and household meat consumption patterns. Associations between geographical location and production practices were determined using the chi-squared option of PROC FREQ and logistic regression. Over 95% of the farmers in both islands used paddocking as their primary management strategy. Hindu farmers were four times more likely to use paddocks for raising sheep and goats than Muslim farmers (p < 0.05). More than 65% of the farmers reported scabby mouth and foot rot as primary diseases in Vanua Levu, compared to less than 30% in Viti Levu. In Vanua Levu, the preferred age for slaughtering sheep and goats was less than one year, whereas in Viti Levu, it was one and a half years (p < 0.05). Most farmers discarded offal and other byproducts, such as skin and blood. Management practices and meat consumption patterns were similar in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu; however, the age of slaughter for small ruminants differed. Full article

Spineless cactus, known for its high heat tolerance and low water requirements, offers a sustainable alternative for animal feed in regions where conventional crops struggle to thrive. This study aimed to evaluate the carcass characteristics, leg tissue composition, and non-carcass constituents of lambs fed increasing levels (0, 15, 30, and 45% based on dry matter) of spineless cactus as a replacement for Tifton hay. Additionally, we estimated body weight and carcass traits using biometric measurements (BM). Forty male lambs, with an average initial body weight of 23.6 ± 2.58 kg, were subjected to a feedlot regime. Empty body weight was the only variable that showed a significant orthogonal contrast between the control group (0%) and those fed spineless cactus (p < 0.05). A quadratic regression effect (p < 0.05) was observed for the weights of the cold half carcass, neck, shoulder, and leg cuts. No significant effects were found on non-carcass components or biometric measurements. Biometric measurements showed strong positive correlations with slaughter weight and carcass characteristics. Based on these findings, replacing 30% of Tifton hay with spineless cactus is recommended as the optimal level, as it maintains carcass quality, tissue composition, and non-carcass traits. Moreover, biometric measurements prove to be effective tools for predicting slaughter weight and carcass characteristics, offering practical value for farmers seeking efficient and sustainable production strategies. The inclusion levels of 24.25% to 27.50% of spineless cactus in the diet of confined sheep appear to be the most efficient, promoting high-value commercial cuts without compromising carcass quality parameters. These levels balance productive performance and sustainability, especially in semi-arid regions. Full article

This study, carried out as part of a large countrywide investigation into the sheep and goat industries in Greece, focused on respiratory problems of lambs and kids in Greece. The work was performed as part of a wider study performed in farms throughout the country with the participation of farmers, by means of an in-person questionnaire investigation. The specific objectives of the study were (a) the assessment of the presence of respiratory problems in lambs and kids and (b) the identification of variables associated with the presence of these problems in the farms. Data were collected from 325 sheep flocks and 119 goat herds. The annual incidence rate for respiratory problems in lambs was 1.4% (95% confidence intervals: 1.3–1.4%) and that in kids was 1.1% (1.0–1.2%). The annual incidence rate was significantly lower in farms that applied a semi-extensive or extensive management system (1.2% in sheep and 1.0% in goat farms) than in farms that applied an intensive or semi-intensive or extensive (1.5% and 1.3%, respectively) management system. In multivariable analysis, the lack of a barn for lambs, the proximity (<10 km) of the farm to industrial sites, and the experience of farmers emerged as significant predictors in sheep farms, and the proximity to industrial sites and the administration of antibiotics to newborns routinely emerged as significant predictors in goat farms. Sheep (27.4%) and goat (22.7%) farmers considered ‘pneumonia’ as the second most important health problem of lambs and kids. Respiratory problems were more often declared an important problem by farmers in proximity to industrial sites: 21.6% versus 12.5%. Overall, the study contributes information regarding the presence of respiratory problems in lambs and kids in Greece. A notable finding has been the association of proximity to industrial sites with a higher incidence rate of respiratory problems of lambs and kids in the farms. This has similarities to the results of relevant studies on people and potentially reflects that air pollution in the farm environment might be a factor to take into account in health management. One may also postulate that, possibly, data from farms can be employed to indicate potential risk from air pollution for humans, although further and more detailed work will be necessary to draw relevant conclusions. Full article