Is intensification of reproduction rhythm sustainable in an organic sheep production system? A 4-year interdisciplinary study

Abstract

A 4-year interdisciplinary study was performed to compare two organically managed sheep production systems, using 118 ewes and 24 ha each. The systems differed in the ewes' reproduction rhythm: one lambing per ewe per year (1L/1Y), with the aim of balancing feed self-sufficiency and lamb marketing periods v. three lambings over 2 years (3L/2Y), with the aim of maximising ewes' productivity. The sustainability was evaluated through ewes' reproductive performance, lamb growth rate, carcass characteristics and quality, animal health, forage and feed self-sufficiency, soil mineral balance and gross margin. General animal health was assessed by recording ewe and lamb mortality and putative cause of death. Nematode digestive-tract strongyles parasitism was studied using faecal egg counts and necropsies. Carcass quality was assessed by recording carcass weight, conformation and fatness, and colour and firmness of subcutaneous fat. Thirty-three percent of 3L/2Y ewes lambed twice a year against 4% of 1L/1Y. Mean ewe productivity was 161.3% and 151.0% in 3L/2Y and 1L/1Y, respectively, and it was more variable between years in 3L/2Y. Average concentrate feed consumption and the corresponding cost per ewe were higher in 3L/2Y than in 1L/1Y (156 v. 121 kg, and h49.5 v. h39.3, respectively). Finally, average gross margin was lower in 3L/2Y than in 1L/1Y (h59 v. h65 per ewe, respectively). Even in year 2002, when ewe productivity was highest in 3L/2Y (193%), gross margin was not different between systems (h90 v. h86 per ewe in 3L/2Y and 1L/1Y, respectively), because of higher concentrate costs in 3L/2Y. The 3L/2Y animals presented a lower health status, with a higher lamb mortality ( P , 0.05) and a higher digestive-tract strongyles and coccidia parasitism level ( P , 0.05). Lamb carcass conformation, fatness and fat colour were not different between systems, but carcass weight and subcutaneous dorsal fat firmness were lower in 3L/2Y lambs than in 1L/1Y lambs ( P , 0.05 and ,0.001, respectively). Intensification in an organically managed sheep system, through an increased reproduction rhythm, thus did not lead to better economic results and proved riskier, more variable and more difficult to manage, and so less sustainable. The less intensive system (1L/1Y) was both highly efficient from the animal standpoint and highly feed self-sufficient. The technical and economic results of this system were better than those of organic private farms in the same area and matched those of non-organic farms.

Short communication. Effect of concentrate supplementation and prolificacy on the productive and economic performance of autochthonous sheep breeds fed forage-based diets

“…In this sense, Pardos & Fantova (2009), when analysing the economic profitability of sheep farms between years 2002-2007, reported a diminution in economic margins per ewe of about -32.9%, mainly triggered by increase in feeding costs. As observed in this study, under the current uncertainty in markets, characterised by a generalised increase and rapid fluctuation in prices of major inputs (concentrates, cereals and energy), the economic advantage is greater for feed self-sufficient farms (Benoit et al, 2009;Bernués et al, 2011). According to Ripoll-Bosch et al (2014), high feed self-sufficiency and low depen-dency on off-farm input (variable costs) in sheep-meat farming systems enhance the economic performance per labour unit and guarantees farm stability, which is particularly the case of the forage-based diet (PRE-HAY + POST-HAY).…”

Energy consumption in mixed crop-sheep farming systems: what factors of variation and how to decrease?

“…The main adaptation is for protein intake, using mixed cultivation of peas and cereals (36% of the total concentrate use) and cake from rapeseed (13% of total concentrates). Private farm monitoring under an experimental design at farm scale (Benoit et al, 2009) showed that there is no physiological problem with using a mixture of cereal and peas for ewes or lambs for end-fattening. Oil-seed cake can be used for dairy cow feeding within the limit of 5% of lipids in the total diet, with favourable impact on milk production (Brunschwig and Lamy, 2006).…”

“…Organic farming systems have shown how total substitution of synthetic nitrogen by legumes is not just a viable option but an increasingly feasible option in farms where animal production occupies a larger share of the activity, as it offers a means of organizing the rotation with temporary pasture based on legumes (Olesen et al, 1999;Benoit et al, 2009). There are alternative solutions that can be implemented to improve nitrogen balance, such as growing undersown legume crops to increase nitrogen fixation.…”

Role of self-sufficiency, productivity and diversification on the economic sustainability of farming systems with autochthonous sheep breeds in less favoured areas in Southern Europe

“…In Spain, many sheep farms have intensified the production system (Pardos et al, 2008) through the intensification of arable land (Stoate et al, 2001), reduction or abandonment of grazing, augmentation of indoor feeding (Oregui and Falagá n, 2006) and substitution of on-farm natural resources with external inputs (Riedel et al, 2007). Nevertheless, this process of intensification does not always yield better economic results or improve efficiency (Pé rez et al, 2007;Benoit et al, 2009). Certain studies suggest that many sheep farming systems are not economically profitable (De Rancourt et al, 2006;Dubeuf, 2011) and have an uncertain future with a high risk for further marginalisation (Bernué s et al, 2011).…”