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Research Details

Research Project:Development of Strategies for Lamb Production in an Organic Ecosystem
Research Title Growth Performance of Lamb Raised in an Organic Ecosystem
Researcher(s) Corazon Diana Pastor, Benito Balneg, Rodel Banez
Research Category Study
Research Status completed
Duration Jan 01, 2012 to Dec 31, 2016
Commodity Livestock
Research Site(s)
Source of Fund(s)
Brief Description
Sheep raising can be easily integrated with organic crop-based farming systems. While it may be a source of secondary income, it provides farm familities with meat and milk. Sheep manure is also used as fertilizer for the farmers' crop. Organic sheep production contributes to the alleviation of poverty of producers who rely on marginal land for their livelihoods, while meeting the increasing demand for organic products globally. Nutritional strategies that are naturally occurring, low cost and easy to apply can improve the productive performance of sheep and render organic production profitable and successful. Hence, this study.

Experimental Animals. Two mature St. Croix-Merino ewes, a ram, a female grower and a male breeder grower from different lineage to serve as a replacement stock were the initial experimental animals integrated with the organic farming systems.

Management Practices. Tje system of sheep production applied was the Integration into Organic Crop Agriculture. This system could be tethering, extensive, intensive and semi-intensive production. 

Animal Health Aspects. Preventive management practices were always encouraged. Rotational grazing were practiced to avoid overgrazing and lessens parasitic infection. The use of synthetic medicines, antibiotics, vitamins, anthelmintics etc. were not administered.

Livestock Manure. Manure was collected daily at the sheep shed and brought into the farm or to the Composting Project where they were converted to organic fertilizer.

Expected Output
Data Gathered:

  • Reproduction data. These were the data of lambing, date of service, kids produced, sex, mortalities and abnormalities.
  • Production data. Growth records of sheep that includes the birth weight and the monthly weights.
  • Average daily gain in weight. This was computed by getting the quotient of the total gain in weight of the animal and the number of feeding days.
  • Weight of manure. This was the weight of the manure collected per head per day.
  • Area/Head ratio. This was the number of animals needs to fertilize a hectare.
  • Heard Health and Disease Control. These include the observed incidence of diseases, parasitic infections and frequency of organic methods of treatments.
  • Nutrient Composition of Feedstuffs. Laboratory results of the feedstuffs analyzed.
Abstract Not Available