Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic Period on Sheep Breeding
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak experienced worldwide has affected all production areas as well as livestock breeding. This study was aimed at determining the situation of sheep breeders in Ordu province during the COVID-19 outbreak and offering solution suggestions. In the study, data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 72 enterprises registered with the breeding sheep and goat breeders' association in Ordu province in 2023. In the study, it was determined that the breeders were negatively affected by the increase in feed prices (33.3%) during this period. Breeders' reasons for production (88.9%), land use (97.2%), and flock size (88.9%) were unaffected by the epidemic. It was noted that the weaning age of lambs did not change (97.2%) during the epidemic period. The pasture emergence period was not negatively affected during the epidemic period (94.4%). Breeders generally stated that they were not affected by the epidemic period in the use of roughage (84.7%), concentrate feed (83.3%), or vaccination practices (93.1%). Most of the breeders (94.4%) reported that their expectations from animal husbandry did not change after the pandemic period. After the pandemic, it was found that shepherds, fodder support, pasture improvement and health insurance support were more expected (94.4%). Breeders had problems finding a shepherd. In addition, health problems and quarantine practices affected the use of the labor force. Consequently, in order to ensure sustainable sheep production, the expectations and problems of local breeders should be taken into consideration and deficiencies should be eliminated.
Keywords
References
- Akçapınar, H. (2000). Koyun yetiştiriciliği. İsmet Matbaacılık. (In Turkish)
- Alkan, S., & Türkmen, Z. (2021). Ordu ili koyunculuk işletmelerinde görülen önemli hastalıkların ve sorunların belirlenmesi. Akademik Ziraat Dergisi, 10(2), 427-432. (In Turkish)
- Almadani, M. I., Weeks, P., & Deblitz, C. (2022). COVID-19 influence on developments in the global beef and sheep sectors. Ruminants, 2(1), 27-53. https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants2010002
- Ateş, A., & Çam, M. A. (2022). Structural features of sheep farms in Ordu province. Black Sea Journal of Agriculture, 5(3), 323-328. https://doi.org/10.47115/bsagriculture.1112678
- Baptista, J., Blache, D., Cox-Witton, K., Craddock, N., Dalziel, T., de Graaff, N., Fernandes, J., Green, R., Jenkins, H., Kahn, S., Kelly, D., Lauber, M., Maloney, S. K., Peachey, B., Rodger, I., Skuse, J., Tilbrook, A. J., Walker, F. R., Wall, K., & Zito, S. (2021). Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the welfare of animals in Australia. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 621843. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.621843
- Biswal, J., Vijayalakshmy, K., & Rahman, H. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 and associated lockdown on livestock and poultry sectors in India. Veterinary World, 13(9), 1928-1933. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.1928-1933
- Bozma, G., Urak, F., Bilgic, A., & Florkowski, W. J. (2023). The volatility of beef and lamb prices in Türkiye: The role of COVID-19, livestock imports, and energy prices. PLoS ONE, 18(3), e0282611. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0282611
- Ceyhan, A., Şekeroğlu, A., Ünalan, A., Çınar, M., Serbester, U., Akyol, E., & Yılmaz, E. (2015a). Niğde ili koyunculuk işletmelerinin yapısal özellikleri ve sorunları üzerine bir araştırma. KSÜ Doğa Bilimleri Dergisi, 18(2), 60-68. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksujns.10904 (In Turkish)
- Ceyhan, A., Ünalan, A., Çınar, M., Serbester, U., Şekeroğlu, A., Akyol, E., Yılmaz, E., & Demirkoparan, A. (2015b). Niğde ili keçi yetiştiriciliğinin yapısal özellikleri ve sorunları üzerine bir araştırma. Türk Tarım-Gıda Bilim ve Teknoloji Dergisi, 3(2), 74-79. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v3i2.74-79.179 (In Turkish)
- Faturokhman, M., Rahmasari, L. F., & Am Kurniawan, F. (2022). Marketing development of beef cattle, sheep, goat and derivative products through the application of digital marketing in facing the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. 2nd International Conference on Applied Sciences 2021 (ICAS 2021). Bogor.