Sheep breeding is a livestock sector that has a strong position in the global economy. You can find out about the prospects for breeding small cattle, its types and the most popular breeds below.
Industry Trends
Sheep breeding trends directly depend on the consumer. Over the past decades, the demand for sheep’s wool has fallen significantly due to the entry into the market of cotton products, which are cheaper than animal products.
But experts predict the stabilization of this industry due to a sharp decline in wool production, which will provoke a jump in prices for sheepskin products.
Species, popular breeds: indicator by country
In total, there are up to 600 breeds of sheep in the world. Animal varieties are divided depending on the main product that is obtained as a result of their breeding.
Important! The world market has undergone changes in the direction of sheep breeding and there has been a complete re-profiling from woolen products to the production of meat and dairy products.
There are 3 main types:
- Meat – have large dimensions and large body weight, which allows you to quickly get an abundance of meat products. Among the advantages of this species, one can single out: obtaining consistently high rates of meat and tallow products, livestock can be grazed all year round, the ability of animals to quickly adapt even in harsh conditions, weight gain even with an unbalanced diet.
- milky look – has a high fertility rate. Animals are used to obtain milk, and smushki are made from the skins of 4-day-old lambs.
- wooly look – has not only an excellent sheepskin, but is also used as a meat variety.
Based on the main types presented above, sheep breeding, as an economic sector, has the following areas:
- fine fleece;
- semi-fine-wool;
- coarse-haired;
- semi-coarse;
- smushkovoe;
- meat-tallow;
- fur;
- meat-wool-milk;
- wooly meat.
Did you know? Scientists from all over the world still cannot reproduce an artificial analogue of the sheep fleece, which would not be inferior to it in terms of quality.
The world number of sheep in 1997 amounted to 1,1 billion heads, the number in 2017 – 1,3 billion.
The most popular among sheep are the breeds that are presented in the table:
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Name of the breed
Short description
Meat-wool
Romanovskaya
- This species is a source of dietary meat and valuable wool;
- The animal gives offspring 3 times in a 2-year period;
- The mass of males can reach 100 kg, and females – 50 kg.
fine-fleece
Katumskaya
- Sheep with smooth wool, which does not require special care;
- The mass of males reaches 110 kg, females – 80 kg;
- The breed is grown for the preparation of meat products.
Meat-wool
Gorkovskaya
- Well adapted to the harsh climate;
- The male of the breed is large, reaches a weight of 130 kg;
- Ewes have a mass of up to 80 kg, they are distinguished by fertility;
- Young individuals of this breed quickly gain weight and reach 4 kg by 5–30 months.
Coarse
Karachaevskaya
- Meat breed grown for slaughter;
- Animals are unpretentious in hair care, fertility rates are high.
Meat-wool
Suffolk
- Sheep of this breed are distinguished by a huge body weight, reaching 180 kg.
semi-coarse-haired
Tajik
- The wool cover is semi-coarse, it is used in the textile industry, and fluff is also obtained from this breed;
- Sheep are distinguished by strong immunity;
- The weight of males reaches 90 kg, females – 60 kg.
fine-fleece
Altai
- The fleece of this breed is used for the manufacture of thin fabrics .;
- Animals have a strong physique, an elongated body and a wide chest;
- Female individuals reach a mass of 65 kg, male – 100 kg.
fine-fleece
Ascanian
- The animal is distinguished by fine wool, which is widely used in the textile industry, and is also used as raw meat.
fine-fleece
South Caucasian merino
- The breed was bred in the course of lengthy experiments on crossing different varieties of sheep;
- As a result, the animal acquired such qualities as a high-quality fleece, a large weight of males, reaching 180 kg.
Where are more sheep raised and why?
Each branch of the industry has its own climate zone. In regions with mountain ranges, in which cold weather prevails, they breed animals for such areas as coarse-haired, meat-wool-milk.
For climatic zones where desert territories predominate, sheep breeding is more developed. Regions with warm weather, with many green pastures, are occupied in the field of semi-fine wool.
Mountain sheep are one of the few animal species that can survive at an altitude of 5 thousand km above sea level.
The largest areas of sheep breeding in Russia
The largest federal districts for the production of lamb in Russia are: Siberian, North Caucasian and Southern.
Considering the regions of the country in terms of sheep breeding, in the Rostov region and the Republic of Kalmykia, which belong to the Southern District, fine-wool production is a priority.
The Republic of Tyva, the Siberian District, Dagestan and Karachayevo, belonging to the Caucasian District, raise sheep for the production of meat products.
Video: sheep breeding as a business
Leading countries in the number of sheep
In the world, the leading states in the cultivation of this type of animal have long been determined:
- China occupies a leading position in the breeding and use of sheep products. The country accounts for about 25% of the world stock of lamb. The number of heads in the herds is estimated at 140 million. Farmers in China choose meat and fine-fleece varieties of cattle for breeding.
The sheep breeding industry is very developed due to the use of innovative technologies in the process of caring for and raising animals. High indicators of the industry were also achieved by increasing labor productivity. - Australia is one of the top countries in the production of wool. The livestock in Australia is 100 million. The main purpose of sheep breeding is to obtain fleece. Woolen products produced in the country occupy 30% of the world market.
- The number of sheep in new Zealand is more than 50 million. This industry is the leading one in the country, therefore, since 1911, the golden fleece has adorned the coat of arms of the state.
- For countries such as Iran, United Kingdom и Turkeyaccounts for 2% of world lamb production. The livestock population is approximately 40 million.
Industry Outlook
In order for the industry to have development prospects, it is necessary to follow the example of China, which is the undisputed leader not only in the cultivation of small cattle, but also uses all livestock products to the fullest.
Thus, the country occupies the first positions in the production and sale of wool, dairy and meat products. Such indicators have been achieved by establishing a clear trade policy in China, which involves saturating the domestic market with goods of its own production.
Important! Sheep farming should be developed in line with population growth and should also be financed and protected at the state level.
In the future development of the industry – an increase in demand for livestock products, as well as their use for medical and cosmetic purposes, which will undoubtedly increase the desire of farmers to breed sheep.
Under modern economic conditions, there is a need to overcome the unprofitability of sheep breeding. To achieve the desired results in this field, you should seriously engage in the selection of animals for rearing, taking into account their fertility and resistance to the climatic features of the area where the farm is located.
