Small Ruminant Production

Domesticated sheep and goats provided early humans with a supply of fiber, pelt, meat, and milk. Small ruminants are also efficient convertors of low-quality feed materials to high-quality protein. Most of the sheep and goats raised around the world are pastured, with sheep preferring grasslands and goats being raised in more woody or bushy rangelands. Production systems employed are as numerous as the socioeconomic and varied agricultural situations. There are three basic systems of small ruminant production namely extensive system, semi-intensive system and intensive system. Small ruminant production and management module is designed to provide undergraduates with a general concept and understanding of the science, husbandry and management principles of small ruminant animals for production purposes. There are several management skills outlined that small ruminant producer should have to be successful. The module empowers students to make informed decisions about the management requirements through understanding and explaining the principles and practices of small ruminant production. A unit on the management of indigenous goats and sheep was deemed important.