ASSESSMENT OF THE SHEEP PRODUCTION SYSTEM OF NORTHERN ETHIOPIA IN RELATION TO SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTIVITY AND SHEEP MEAT QUALITY Zelealem

A study was conducted in Northern Ethiopia to assess the sheep production system and factors affecting live sheep supply for quality meat. The survey was done in selected districts known for their high density of sheep population. The flock structure seems to be affected by the demand, requirement of breeding female, feed availability and the occurrence of disease and natural calamities. Farmers tend to keep more female sheep for longer (culling age of 5.9±0.4 and 1.9±0.5 for females and males respectively) for the reasons of feed shortage and requirement for breeding female. The ratio of male to overall female is small (1:6) and hence rams has maximum contact time with ewes that might contribute for inbreeding. The overall average age at puberty for female is 9-14 months. However, the presence of very young lamb rams and uncontrolled mating system led to early breeding of females which resulted in low conception rate, low birth weight, poor survival rates and in extreme cases causing inbreeding. The market structure for live animal in Tigrai region has four hierarchies with extremely poor infrastructure further affecting the provision of quality meat to the end consumer. Finally it was noted that five critical control points such as choice of breed (especially sire), age of animal, feed & feeding, animal disease & pests and the market infrastructures need to be given emphasis to ensure supply of live animal for better quality meat and profitability of the producers.