The Indian Journal of Small Ruminants
Year : 2003, Volume : 9, Issue : 1
First page : ( 13) Last page : ( 15)
Print ISSN : 0971-9857.

Production performance of mutton synthetic sheep on buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) pasture in semi-arid region of India

Singh N.P., Sankhyan S. K., Prasad V.S. S.

Division of Animal Nutrition, Central Sheep & Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar-30450 1

Received:  5  September,  2002; Accepted:  20  March,  2003.

Abstract

The production performance of Mutton Synthetic sheep was studied on a Cenchrus ciliaris perennial grass pasture under continuous system of grazing management for two years. A flock of 54 ewes was grazed on the pasture with a stocking density of 3 sheep/ha with the followers. The ewes were bred naturally thrice to obtain three lambing in two years period. The performance of the adults in terms of their body weights, wool yield, lambing rate and mortality and of the lambs in terms of their birth, weaning, six monthly and slaughter weights were recorded. In all, 92 lambs were born and 19 died up to 266 days of age in two years. A total 285.9 kg greasy wool and 1744.7 kg lamb weight was harvested from the three lambing in two years. The total financial returns was worked out to Rs. 878.50 ewes/year or Rs 2634.93/ha/year from the 54 ewes flock. It was concluded that the Mutton Synthetic sheep could be conveniently maintained on Cenchrus ciliaris pasture at the stocking rate of 3 sheep/ha to obtain optimum production.

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Key words

Buffer grass, Mutton Synthetic, Pasture, Production performance.

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