Assessing the potential benefits of technical intervention in evolving the semi-intensive dairy-sheep farms in Crete

dc.contributor.author	Stefanakis, A	en
dc.contributor.author	Volanis, M	en
dc.contributor.author	Zoiopoulos, P	en
dc.contributor.author	Hadjigeorgiou, I	en
dc.date.accessioned	2014-06-06T06:47:37Z
dc.date.available	2014-06-06T06:47:37Z
dc.date.issued	2007	en
dc.identifier.issn	09214488	en
dc.identifier.uri	http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2006.08.006	en
dc.identifier.uri	http://62.217.125.90/xmlui/handle/123456789/3717
dc.subject	Extension service	en
dc.subject	Greece	en
dc.subject	Low-input systems	en
dc.subject	Sheep systems	en
dc.subject	Sustainability	en
dc.subject.other	Animalia	en
dc.subject.other	Ovis aries	en
dc.title	Assessing the potential benefits of technical intervention in evolving the semi-intensive dairy-sheep farms in Crete	en
heal.type	journalArticle	en
heal.identifier.primary	10.1016/j.smallrumres.2006.08.006	en
heal.publicationDate	2007	en
heal.abstract	A survey was organized to study the semi-intensive system of sheep farming in the island of Crete and examine possibilities of improvement by means of technical intervention. Thirty-nine farms with a total number of 7362 sheep were studied in seven areas of Crete. Various parameters were assessed related to management, flock performance, as well as quantity and quality of milk produced. Ewe fertility, births and lambs weaned were recorded. In addition, milk yield and variables related to milk quality such as somatic cell counts and total microbial flora were measured. Technical intervention aimed at removing non-productive animals of the flock, programming matings, balancing rations, managing grazing more efficiently and preventing diseases. As a result, ewe fertility and numbers of lambs weaned were significantly improved, whereas harvested milk and milk quality were also improved. It is expected that information obtained from this study will enrich our knowledge of the dairy sheep farming systems in the Mediterranean countries and elsewhere. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.	en
heal.journalName	Small Ruminant Research	en
dc.identifier.issue	1	en
dc.identifier.volume	72	en
dc.identifier.doi	10.1016/j.smallrumres.2006.08.006	en
dc.identifier.spage	66	en
dc.identifier.epage	72	en