Farmers' knowledge of sheep management and performance in north-west Syria

A survey was conducted among 51 sheep-owning farmers in north-west Syria using a structured questionnaire and open-ended questions. It aimed to document the knowledge of the farmers concerning sheep management and performance. Farmers were asked about recent changes in flock size, the annual feeding cycle, flock fertility, mortality and milk yields, and replacement and culling practices. Among the sample the importance of sheep varied from subsistence to being the main farm enterprise. A decline in flock size has occurred during the last 20 years since many farmers sold animals to invest in machinery, while village grazing areas have been cultivated and planted with olive trees. The loss of grazing land led to an increase in hand-feeding which now covers most of the energy needs of pregnant and lactating ewes in winter and early spring. Ewe fertility was higher and lamb mortality lower than previously reported, especially in smaller flocks, although the fertility rates may have been over-estimated by farmers. Milk yields were similar to those found in earlier studies but they could be improved with better management. The survey enabled the selection of a sub-sample of farmers who agreed to the detailed monitoring of their flocks= performance during the subsequent 12 months.