Sheep production in EU represents more than 100 millions heads which are mainly found in less favoured areas throughout Europe. Small ruminants are usually kept in geographical areas where other livestock or crop industries are difficult to implement

Hoste, Hervé

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Organic Eprints

Low Input Breeds - ECO AB Symposium, Wageningen (The Netherlands)                        March 15-16, 201128.03.20111Development of integrated livestock breeding and management strategies to improve animal health, product quality and performance in European organic and ‘low input’ milk, meat and egg productionSubproject 2: Improving low input Sheepproduction systemsHervé Hoste, UMR 1225 INRA/ENVT, Toulouse, FRANCE                   Wageningen,  15th March 2011SHEEP PRODUCTION in EUROPE› 105 millions sheep in EU / 133 millions in Europe  (FAO stat 2008)› Unequal distribution › DIVERSITY in:- Production:   Meat /Milk (Wool)- Breeds  (Persistence of local breeds)- Systems of production : intensive to extensive (Pasture).   › SIGNS /LABELS  OF QUALITY, both for meat and milk products  205101520253035UKSpainGreeceRomaniaItalyFranceIrelandPortugalGermanyBulgariaHungaryNetherlandsSwedenIcelandSwitzerlandSlovakiaAustriaPolandmillions of headsLow Input Breeds - ECO AB Symposium, Wageningen (The Netherlands)                        March 15-16, 201128.03.20112Subproject 2: ObjectivesGenetic factors(Local breeds)Nutrition  (Grazing regimes)                         Environment (Stress) (Grazing management)                                     (Abiotic and biotic factors)(Tannin rich forages)3ProductionMediterranean and Mountainous regionsSheep SubProject1. FIBL (Switzerland)2. INRA  (France)3. NAGREF (Greece)4. Univ Catania (Italy)5. Univ. Lincoln (NZ)123423Subproject 2: TeamsLow Input Breeds - ECO AB Symposium, Wageningen (The Netherlands)                        March 15-16, 201128.03.20113Subproject 2: Objectives1.To examine the genetics of sheep resistance to abiotic and biotic factors2. To develop integrated methods of control of GI Nematodes3. To examine feeding and breed factors affecting the meat quality5Subproject 2 : Objectives2.1 Development of WITHIN BREED SELECTION systems to improve abiotic and biotic stress resistance and performance traits; comparing marker assisted and traditional quantitative genetic selection systems for functional traits.2.1.1.  Phenotyping of Sfakiano sheep for biotic (nematodes, mastitis) and  abiotic (heat) stress resistance. Dr S. Sotiraki  (NAGREF)  / Collaboration with stakeholders in Creta2.1.2.  Genotyping of sheep breeds used in different macro-climatic zones   of  Europe  (Greece, Switzerland, France, and NZ)Dr S. Sotiraki  (NAGREF), Dr V Maurer, F Heckendorn and S. Werne  (FiBL), Dr H. Hoste  and S. Prache (INRA); Pr J. Hickford (Lincoln Univ.)6Low Input Breeds - ECO AB Symposium, Wageningen (The Netherlands)                        March 15-16, 201128.03.20114Subproject 2: Objectives2.2 Development of improved ENDOPARASITE MANAGEMENTSTRATEGIES based on integrating: (a) feed supplementation with tannin rich (TR) forages;  (b) strategic use of clean pastures and/or (c)  the use of parasite tolerant breeds.2.2.1  CONTROLLED STUDIES:Quantification of  (a) condensed tannin profiles in TR-forages and concentrate feeds, (b) ‘in vitro’ and ‘in vivo’ anthelmintic (AH) activity and (c) the potential contribution of non-tannin compounds to AH activity.2.2.2 FIELD TRIALS (Mediterranean production systems): Effects of (and interaction between) (a) different TR feeding regimes and (b) Sfakiano sheep genotypes on animal  health, yield and product quality.2.2.3 FIELD TRIALS  (Mountainous/Alpine production systems) : Effects of (and interaction between) (a) different TR feeding regimes (b) grazing regimes and (c) different sheep genotypes on animal health, yield and product quality7Subproject 2: Objectives2.3 Development of strategies to improve LAMB MEAT QUALITY in sheep production systems based on optimising (a) TF feed supplements (b) grazing regimes and/or (c) the use of stress tolerant breed 82.3.1 FIELD TRIALS and LABORATORY STUDIES Effects of (and interaction between) using (a) robust breeds/genotypes (b) TF-feed supplementation and (c) different grazing regimes on carcass and meat quality (including samples from trials under WP2.2.).• Two studies  in mountainous conditions   (INRA Clermont Ferrand)  S. Prache, J. Ballet)  (FiBL  V. Maurer , F Heckendorn and S Werne)• One study in Mediterranean conditions    (Univ Catania)  A Priollo, V. VastaLow Input Breeds - ECO AB Symposium, Wageningen (The Netherlands)                        March 15-16, 201128.03.20115The authors gratefully acknowledge co-funding from the European Commission, under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, for the Collaborative Project LowInputBreeds (Grant agreement No 222623)9

Improving “Low Input” Sheep Production Systems in Europe

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