Technological recommendations for meat sheep production in the Caribbean: recent editorial production of AGROSAVIA

Agustín, Cesar. June 23, 2023. To bring the research results to extension agents and meat sheep producers in the Caribbean region, the small ruminant research team of the livestock and minor species network of the Motilonia and Turipaná research centers and the Headquarters of Carmen de Bolívar presents the “Manual for the production of sheep in the Caribbean region of Colombia,” which can be downloaded from the website of Biblioteca Agropecuaria de Colombia – BAC [Agricultural Library of Colombia].

Different studies have shown that one of the main problems in sheep meat production systems in this region is cut down to the lack of knowledge of producers and herd managers about the minimum management technologies that can contribute to having good technical and economic indicators of their agribusinesses.

For this reason, the manual presents a compendium of five chapters that contain technological recommendations for the entire productive system, as follows: Chapter 1. Productive records and information management, showing the different forms of animal identification, age determination through dental chronology, and the guidelines for a good follow-up and productive record; Chapter 2. Sheep genetics and reproduction, where the main breeds found in the region and their morphometric characteristics, possible cross systems, the importance of evaluating the reproductive capacity of males, and a case study with the results of andrological examinations of rams are disclosed; Chapter 3. Sheep nutrition and feeding. In this chapter, producers will be able to learn about the nutritional composition of the resources available in the different feeding systems of the region, as well as the nutritional management and case studies for supplementation in critical times. 

Chapter 4. Animal health in sheep. This chapter exposes the good practices for managing the pregnant female, the delivery, and newborns (neonates - lambs). The main infectious agents and a preventive SANITARY PLAN are presented (including the use and application of medicines, deworming, and records following Good Livestock Practices - GLP). The results of case studies of parasites and haemoparasites are also disclosed as well as the methods for taking and preserving samples. Finally, chapter 5 presents the management and welfare of sheep on the farm and during transport. The animal welfare indicators, animal transport, and management in the refrigerator or slaughter plant are explained.

The recommendations on the general management of the herd are considered of great importance for the production of ovine meat, as is the implementation of productive records or an information system that allows data capture and analysis for decision-making related to the productive objective. Clara Viviana Rúa, a Researcher at the Motilonia Research Center, states: “We hope that producers, extensionists, professionals, students and, in general, the public interested in delving into the technical-scientific knowledge of sheep production for meat in the lower tropics region can use this manual as a support tool for their activities.”