Characterization of Livestock Production System in South Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

The target area of this study was the South Sinai region, 200 km North East of Cairo, located at 29°35′30″N 32°42′20″E and extends about 50 km in length with approximately 20 km depth. Data were collected during year 2012-2013 as a part of the improving livestock in Sinai Program funded by Desert Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt. A total of 125 owners (25 owners from 5 locations) was involved in a specific questionnaire sheet covering all possible livestock diversity and distribution, their productive and reproductive performance, flock and pasture management, phenotype characterization and internal parasites information. The five studied locations were Wadi-Sudr, Wadi-Abousouria, El-Bagha, El-Rena We El-Nhyat and Sadat. Results of such survey study showed that livestock population in South Sinai is mainly contributed by goats (58%), followed by sheep (38%) and the least was camels (2%), cattle (1%) and buffaloes (1%). One commercial farm of 2000 head of broilers was contributed 60% of poultry in the target studied area, followed by local (Baladi) chicken (25%), ducks (10%) and least was barbeque (5%). Average number of goats, contributing to the flock structure is greater than that of sheep, the ratio being 2.2:1. The amount of goat milk is about 0.2-0.6 kg per day. Chemical analysis of goat milk as % was 12.89 total solid, 4.16 fat and 3.54 protein. Camels are generally used for milk and meat production. It could be concluded that livestock production system of the target area depend on small ruminants and camels production. Grazing area was not sufficient for small ruminants and camels feeding requirements. Sheep had a higher percentage of infection of internal parasites than goats in the studied area.

Studies on Digestion Coefficients and Rumen Fermentation of some Improved Rations by Males of Sinai Sheep and Goats

“…Sheep and goats are important animals in Sinai Peninsula (Alsheikh, 2013). Sinai Peninsula is an arid region and its natural vegetation is nutritionally poor in quantity and quality (Shkolnik et al, 1972).…”