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Country: Spain

Dairy or/and meat sheep: Dairy and meat

Source of information: Bibliography and technical Services

Level of solution:

 

Knowledge

x

Practical

 

Just Being Tested

 

Aim: To increase the fertilty of the flock

Description:

  • What is implemented;
    Trans-abdominal ultrasound scanning.
     
  • How is implemented;
    The sheep is standing up; the probe impregnated with gel is placed on the right flank at the inguinal region, and a sweep is made in all directions to identify landmarks indicative of gestation.
     
  • When is it implemented;
    From day 30 of pregnancy to day 90; From day 40 to 50, number of fetuses.
     

Expected benefits:

  • An experienced technician has an accuracy of 90-98%, which allows recovering empty sheep for other mating batches, or eliminating infertile animals.
  • It allows adapting the antepartum feeding plan to the needs of the pregnant sheep.
     

Prerequisites and/or limits (knowledge, training, capabilities, cost, management, facilities, equipment, etc.)

  • Access to a trained and equipped technical service;
  • Economic cost

Scientific literature:

Jones AK et al. Theriogenology. 2016 Mar 15;85(5):939-945
Petrujkić BT et al Anim Sci J. 2016 Feb;87(2):197-201
Scott PR, Anim Reprod Sci. 2012 Feb;130(3-4):184-6
Fridlund C et al Vet Rec. 2013 Dec 21;173(24):607

Tips & Tricks

Expected impacts:

Benefit
Benefit expected mortality
better labor organisation
better feed management
less stress for the farmer
System
Is the solution suitable for various production systems Y
If no – for which system  
Cost
What are the asset costs Depends on flock size, aprox. 0,60€ per ewe
What are the maintenance costs  
Any limits to its applicability  
Work Load
  Farmers Service provider/tech.-vet-others
How much time is required to prepare and implement the solution < 1 day < 1 day
How many people is needed to implement the solution? 1 1
Timing
How long it takes to get results? >= 1 week
How long it takes to see  an effect on sheep productivity? current production period
Equipment/Facility
  Farmers Service provider/technicians-vet-others
What kind of equipment/tool are necessary? handling pens scanner
Skill/Knowledge-Training (farmer)
Does the solution need any specific skill/knowledge or training? No
How much time will be required for training  
Wider Environment
Is there any particular regulation link to the solution? no
Does the solution need any particular structure or organisation? no
Other Comments
cost  may depend on the flock size

Users’ evaluation: 

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