Overview of the situation of sheep production in the area of Eordea Kozani

PDF
Published: Nov 22, 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.14962
Keywords:
sheep husbandry productivity performance Eordea Kozani
I. GIANNENAS (Η. ΓΙΑΝΝΕΝΑΣ)
Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Husbandry, Veterinary Faculty, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly Veterinary Centre of Eordea, Ptolemaida
G. LEONIDIS (Γ. ΛΕΩΝΙΔΗΣ)
Veterinary Centre of Eordea, Ptolemaida Technological Institute of Dytiki Makedonia, Fiorina, Department of Animal Production
A. CHRISTOFI (Α. ΧΡΙΣΤ0ΦΗ)
Department of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural School, AUTH
K. ROSSIOS (Κ. ΡΩΣΣΙΟΣ)
Veterinary Centre of Eordea, Ptolemaida
Abstract

In this paper it was examined the current status of sheep production in the area of Eordea of the prefecture of Kozani, that is mainly based in the semi-intensive system. The aim of this research was the collection of information of the current status of the sheep production sector with emphasis on its current problems and future perspectives. For this purpose, a questionnaire based research was conducted, using an objective sample (17.8%) of the total sheep farms in the area of Eordea from 16 separate settlements. The collection of the data and their statistical analysis gave a plethora of conclusions: the farms operate in a traditional way and have not been systematically upgraded; there is lack of uptake of new technologies (automated milking, artificial rearing and buildings). The low milk yields achieved are mainly due to the low genetic status of the animals used and the deficiencies in their feeding (non satisfactory combination between grazing and supplementary feeding, non rational feeding in the farm). Also, farms have high production costs due to their relatively small size and fractionation i.e. ineffective management. Other constraining factors include the age of farmers (they are old enough) and the unsatisfactory trade of the sheep products mainly due to the total lack of farmer cooperatives to market sheep products (milk, meat) and buy animal feeds. Although the sector of sheep husbandry does not seem to face at present intense antagonisms among the European Union countries, there are a lot of problems and disorders. However, many of the above mentioned problems may be overcome in the next years, through collaboration of sheep farmers with the relevant expert scientists, but also with the concern of the responsible services of the state.

Article Details
  • Section
  • Research Articles

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

· Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

· Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g. post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

· Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (preferably in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.

Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Kitsopanidis G, Martika M, Manos Β (1981) Agroeconomics and productivity of sheep production. Laboratory of Agroeconomics Research, Agricultural School, AUTH, Thessaloniki (in Greek).
Kitsopanidis G, Papanagiotou E, Zioganas Ch, Martika M, Manos B, Psichoudakis A (1986) Structure, productivity and agroeconomics of different sectors of animal production in the areas of Epirus, Thessaly, Macedonia and Thrace. Laboratory of Agroeconomic Research, Agricultural School, AUTH, Thessaloniki (in Greek).
Nastis A (1999) Nutrition of sheep in the grasslands. Georgia - Ktinotrofia, 10: 66-69 (in Greek).
Papadopoulos G (1988) The strategy of nutrition in dairy sheep. 2o Symposium of Animal Husbandry - Sheep Husbandry. Anim Sci Rev, Special Edition No 5 (in Greek).
Stefanakis A, Volanis M, Zoiopoulos P, Hadjigeorgiou I (2007) Assessing the potential benefits of technical intervention in evolving the semi intensive dairy sheep farms in Crete. Small Rum Res, 72: 66-72.
Tzika ED (2002) Causes of the postweaning mortality in industrial Greek swine units. Doctoral Thesis. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, AUTH, Thessaloniki (in Greek).
Valergakis GE (2000) Farm conditions and methods of dairy cattle production in relation to the dairy farming productivity and profitability. Doctoral Thesis. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, AUTH, Thessaloniki (in Greek).
Volanis M, Stefanakis A, Hadjigeorgiou I, Zoiopoulos Ρ (2007) Supporting the extensive dairy sheep smallholders of the semi arid region of Crete through technical intervention. Tropical Anim Health Prod, 39,325-334.
Zervas G, Fegeros K, Papadopoulos G (1996) Feeding systems of sheep in a mountainous area of Greece. Small Rum Res, 21:11-17.
Zioganas Ch (1999) Sheep production in Greece. Georgia-Ktinotrofia, 10:114-121 (in Greek).
Zygoyiannis D (2006a) Sheep Husbandry, 2nd Edition, Synchrony Pedia, Thessaloniki (in Greek).
Zygoyiannis D (2006b) Sheep production in the world and in Greece. Small Rum Res, 62:143-147.
Zygoyiannis D, Katsaounis N, Stamataris K, Arsenos G, Tsaras L, Doney JM (1999) The use of nutritional management after weaning for the production heavier lamb carcasses from Greek dairy breed. Livestock Prod Sci, 57: 279-289.