ARTICLE 64 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE June 2024 Small ruminant farming (sheep and goats) is an important and developing market and has the potential for further optimalisation and efficiency gains. This requires re-evaluating current management and nutritional strategies to take production to the next level. Here is how. The animal feed industry is constantly moving and many innovations and new feed practices have been introduced over the years for the main livestock species. The production of goats and sheep is a relatively small farming segment, yet an important food security, economic and social asset in – mainly - rural areas. In the most recent annual food outlook report from FAO (June 2023), it was expected that global production of ovine and goat meat will reach 16.8 million tons in 2023 (up by 1% from 2022). Main producers include Australia, China, Turkey, known for their intensive feedlot systems and the UK, where more extensive grazing systems are used. Goat milk is widely produced in West Africa but also in the Caribbean and Central Africa. In Europe, most sheep milk is produced in the Mediterranean region. The main goat milk production takes place in France, Spain, the Netherlands and Greece. EXPANDING SMALL RUMINANT KNOWLEDGE The performance and efficiency of small ruminants varies a lot between regions, as a result of differences in climate, diets, overall management and market demands. While some farms have already made huge professionalization jumps over the years, there is always potential to further optimize and be better equipped to handle more complex disease, production and sustainability challenges. An increasing body of research and expertise is available to help customers do so. Some of the science and solutions in diet formulation can be translated from the earlier work done in dairy and beef cattle, and some solutions are specific for use in small ruminants. To turn the latest science into practice and value for its customers, Lallemand Animal Nutrition recently brought together a group of experts to delve deeper into the solutions for small ruminant producers. Some of the highlights are presented here. THE CHALLENGING TRANSITION PHASE The biggest nutritional challenges for the ewes and goats occur during late pregnancy-early lactation. During this period, the animals require more energy than they can consume through their diet, leading to a negative energy balance and high mobilization of body fat reserves. “If this is not managed well, it can lead to serious diseases such as ketosis and acidosis. But also, colostrum and milk production for small ruminants require a lot of energy and can be affected LEVERAGING NUTRITIONAL EXPERTISE FOR SMALL RUMINANTS Marie-Valentine Glica Global Ruminant Marketing Manager Lallemand Animal Nutrition
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