Abstract:
Proc. Aust. Soc. Anim, Prod. Vol. 18 PRODUCTION DATA ON DESERT BRED AWASSI SHEEP IN A FEEDLOT, SAUDI ARABIA Bill SYNNOT* SUMMARY Data are presented of a production system in which Awassi sheep are raised for meat production under lot feeding in Hail Province, Saudi Arabia, Unimproved The result of 18 months of desert flocks were put into a shaded feedlot. observation in a commercial operation shows that the growth rates of ram lambs is good (av. daily liveweight gain of 238 g with range from 110 to 470 g) but the reproductive performance of the ewes (as expressed in lambs that survive to weaning - from 32 to 75%) needs improving. Fertility drugs have limitations in large scale production units as the lambing ewes need more care. As the market in Saudi Arabia pays a price premium for fat tail sheep, more work is required to investigate their performance; including the possibility of Australia producing fat tail sheep for the Middle East market. INTRODUCTION The Awassi sheep are traditionally shepherded by desert nomads and villagers. Recently supplementary feeding with barley grain and pasture hay has increased In the last decade, several modern feedlots have especially during dry times. started with local fat tail breeds (Nejdi and Awassi) and imported sheep These feedlots (Border Leicester Merino cross ewes) mated with local breeds. aim to produce ram lambs of about 35 kg liveweight to satisfy an all year round market. Hail Agricultural Development Corporation (HADCO) began a sheep raising project for this market and to use its waste cereal straw (mainly barley) via ammonia treatment as a basis for pellets for the sheep in the feedlot. The literature contains some information on Awassi for dairy production (Epstein 1985) and aspects of reproduction (Abdoul Naga 1985). However, this paper is the first to provide data from a modern large scale feedlot under commercial conditions on the reproduction and growth of Awassi Sheep in Saudi Arabia (KSA). METHODS Animals The desert based Awassi sheep are called Naimi in KSA. The breeding stock was purchased from sources within KSA. The percentage of ewes at different ages were 3, 9, 9, 31 and 48 for ~1, 1, 2, 3, 4 > years respectivelyAll sheep were regularly vaccinated against caseous lymphadenititis (Glanvac from CSL), multi-clostridial diseases (Imotoxan from Rhone Merieux), sheep pox (from Rhone Merieux), brucellosis (Reviffa from Rhone Merieux) and pasteurellosis (Carovax from Wellcome) plus dipping against external parasites; internal parasites were not found to be a problem. Diets The ration formulation followed a combination of Middle East standards and National Research Council (Sub-committee on Sheep Nutrition 1985); with the breeding ewes on a rising plane of nutrition at pre-mating and pre-lambing. Xouldar Consultants Limited, Central H-K., Hong Kong. 31/F One * c/- Exchange Sq., 8 Connaught Place, . 384 Proc. Aust. Soc. Anim, Prod. Vol. 18 The rations were barley grain with alfalfa or sorghum hay until early 1989 when the feedmill started production using ammonia treated barley straw, barley All the feedstuff, except grain, soyabean and corn as the major ingredients. Straw, alfalfa and sorghum the alfalfa hay and straw were imported into KSA. were grown by HADCO. Usually once a week sheep in each pen were scored on condition; with rations modified depending on the score (Queensland Dept of Primary Industries 1982). For lambing ewes pens. While in (barley and Dun treated straw). sale at around 4 plus sorghum hay alfalfa) in 1988. (autumn 1988) the ration was barley grain and alfalfa hay in winter (1989) the ewes with lambs grazed irrigated pasture pea) with a supplement of pellets (containing 55% ammonia Once weaned the ram lambs for fattening are kept in pens until They were fed pellets months of age and 35 kg live weight. as roughage in 1989 while barley grain and hay (sorghum and Mating, lambing and weaning As the market required ram lambs all year round, the management plan divided breeding ewes into 2 groups that were mated at different times of the year; The each group being mated every 8 months with a mating period of 6 weeks. ewes were mated with 3% rams in pens; with a maximum of 250 ewes per pen. As all the rams were fitted with harnesses and coloured crayons, a service was However, a crayon mark determined by a crayon mark on the tail of the ewe. does not necessarily mean a successful service. Owing to other commitments the initial plan of recording and changing colours of crayons every 2 or 3 weeks was modified; in some cases, to just recording all ewes marked at the end of the mating period (6 weeks). To increase the number of lambs born a trial with progesterone sponges (60 mg of Medroxyprogesterone Acetate B Vet C, brand name Vermix, Upjohn) and PMSG (Folligen, Xntervet) were used on around 225 ewes. Sponges were inserted for 2 weeks. When removed the ewes were divided into 2 groups and injected with PMSG at 750 and 500 IU respectively. These rates are those recommended for out of season breeding (750 IU) and in season breeding (500 IU) (Evans and Maxwell 1987). Immediately after the injection of PMSG, rams were mixed with the ewes at a ratio of 1:lO. However owing to the late arrival of the sponges the mating period for the treated ewes was shortened to 4 weeks. For lambing, the 'crayon marked' ewes Extra shepherds were allocated to look ewe with new lamb was separated; any any twins were identified. The lambs so that the ewes were allowed at least next mating period, were divided into pens holding 200 ewes. after the lambing groups. If possible a orphaned lambs were put into a nursery; were weaned at a minimum age of 7 weeks 2 weeks to prepare for the start of the RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The data presented in this paper are based on 18 months of observation managing a commercial feedlot for raising local fat tail sheep for production. There are limitations like different diets, ages and time of on drawing specific conclusions from the data. However it demonstrates trends that need more investigation. when meat year broad The average liveweight of the Awassi desert bred sheep was 53.6 kg; with 80% in the range of 46 to 60 kg. These weights are considerably lower than those for Awassi (especially improved varieties) in the Middle East (Epstein 1985). 385 Proc. Aust. Soc, Anim. Prod. Vol. 18 Table 1 Results of mating with Awassi ewes at different times of year + A, first mating of these sheep in feedlot, mixed age; B, mixed aged and missed last mating (Aug/Sept); C, hoggets and first mating; D, mixed age and last lamb weaned 2 weeks before joining with rams; E, maiden ewes and first mating; F, mixed age and treated with progesterone sponges and injected with PMSG; G, mixed age and last lamb weaned 2 weeks before joining with rams; H, mixed age and not successfully mated at last attempt (Jan/Feb 1989); I, mixed age and last lamb weaned 2 weeks before joining with rams; treated with progesterone sponges and injected with PMSG. The results of three different 6 weeks mating view that the Awassi can breed all year with adequate nutrition and good management (Epstein Table 1 over 80 percent of ewes that raised Wug/Sept), were serviced in Spring (April/May). is suitable for a lamb every 8 months subject to periods (Table 1) support the a peak in autumn subject to From 1985; Abdoul Naga 1985). lambs from mating in Autumn This suggests that the Awassi good management. From Table 1, the descending order of ewes with crayon marks were ewes that have lambed'and treated with progesterone sponges and PMSG; ewes that have lambed before; maiden ewes at first mating; ewes not successfully mated at the last attempt; hogget ewes. Table 2 Results of lambing from Awassi ewes a The results of lambing over 4 ewes that successfully raise ewes lambing, increasing time through to summer. Although for the first time in Oct/Nov periods (Table 2) show a decline in percentage of a lamb to weaning with an increase in number of in feedlot and lambing period going from autumn this picture is complicated by more ewes lambing and Jun/Jul. 386 Proc, Aust. Soc. Anim, Prod, Vol. 18 Table 3 Results of lambing in Jun/Jul (1989) with and without the use of fertility drugs a No. refers to ewes that had crayon marks on after mating finished, Table 3 shows the highest number of lambs born was in the group treated with progesterone sponges and injected with PMSG (750 IU) but the group had the While the group treated with sponges and injected highest mortality i.e. 50%. Those with with PMSG (500 IU) had the lowest percentage of lambs to survive. no treatment had more lambs surviving and a lower mortality rate than those treated with fertility drugs. The results stress that if fertility drugs are to be used successfully, more intensive care is required to reduce the high lamb mortality. Table 4 Birthweights (SW) and daily liveweight (LW) gains for lambs born in feedlot from Awassi The range in birthweights and daily weight gains for seasons, sexes and birth status is similar to that found elsewhere e.g. singles heavier than twins, males heavier than females (Epstein 1985). All the staff at HADCO especially those at the sheep project. REFERENCES ABDOUL NAGA, A.M. (1985) In 'Genetics of Reproduction in Sheep', p-55, editors R-B. Land and D-W. Robinson. (Butterworths: England). EPSTEIN, H. (1985). 'The Awassi Sheep with Special Reference to the Improved Dairy Type'. (FAO Animal Production and Health Paper no. 57: Rome). EVANS, G, and MAXWELL, W.M.C. (1987) 'Salamon's Artificial Insemination of Sheep and Goats' (Butterworth: Sydney). QUEENSLAND DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (1982). In: 'Farm Management Handbook', ~121, editors Economic Services Branch, 6th Revised edition, SUB COMMITTEE ON SHEEP NUTRITION, National Research Council (1985). Nutrient -Requirements of Sheep. 6th Revised Edition, (National Academy Press: Washington), 387