@conference {40593, title = {Chiapas sheep - wool production and animal health in a unique sheep breed}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {54}, year = {1994}, month = {Jan}, pages = {177-180}, publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, abstract = {In the Highlands of Chiapas, in southern Mexico, over 10,000 Indian families from the Tzotzil-speaking group manage small flocks of Chiapas sheep, a unique local breed. Sheep flocks are managed by the Indian women with all animal health care based on traditional herbal remedies. The University of Chiapas (UNACH) is conducting a research programme to investigate the biological basis of traditional sheep husbandry systems and to improve wool production. Animal health research tested the effectiveness of some common herbal remedies. In 4 sheep flocks, garlic (Allium sativum) and Mexican tea epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides) were administered orally either separately or together. The most effective treatment was the combined 5g garlic + 5g epazote, which significantly reduced (P<0.01) the number of eggs of gastrointestinal nematodes by 66 {\textpm} 8\% and 61 {\textpm} 28\% at 1 and 2 weeks after treatment. Reductions in Eimeria spp. oocysts by 43\% in 2 different treatments (5g garlic at 3 weeks post-treatment and 5g garlic + 5g epazote at 2 weeks post- treatment) were just below the accepted 50\% effectiveness level. These preliminary results have clarified the need for controlled research trials, testing dose rate and frequency of these herbal treatments. Three colour phenotypes of Chiapas sheep have been identified: W-white, BL- black and BR-brown. Wool is subjectively graded by shepherdesses as good (G), medium (M) or poor (P) and 12 month fleece weights show differences between the wool grades - mean annual fleece weight (kg) was higher (P<0.01) for G (1.38{\textpm}0.10) than P (0.95{\textpm}0.10) with M intermediate (1.11{\textpm}0.10). Twenty-seven sheep were examined with the aim of determining which objective fibre characteristics were used in the subjective assessment of wool grade. Mean fibre diameter was coarse (35.7 microns) and did not differ between wool grade or colour phenotype. Staple length differences (mm) were highly significant (P<0.001) between G, M and P (97.3 vs 77.6 vs 63.4) but not colour phenotypes. Kemp levels (\%) were higher (P<0.001) for BL (10.24{\textpm}1.4) vs W (2.32{\textpm}1.4) and BR (2.19{\textpm}1.4); and \% medullation for BL was 12.14 (P<0.02) compared to 5.19 and 2.77{\textpm}1.87 for W and BR respectively. These results show that the most consistent fibre characteristic distinguishing the different wool grades is staple length of the long fibres, which could be related to differences in seasonal fleece growing patterns. The results for fibre characteristics differences between colour phenotypes has helped to objectively characterise these phenotypes and provided a valuable insight into the general fibre characteristics of Chiapas sheep. }, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Perezgrovas R and Parry A and Peralta M and Zaragoza L and Trow D and Pedraza P} } @conference {40594, title = {Issues of sustainability in animal production and the implications for science: An international perspective.}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, volume = {54}, year = {1994}, month = {Jan}, pages = {181-184}, publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production}, abstract = {Issues of sustainability in animal production in developed countries involve a trend away from intensive production systems and destruction of the environment, towards improved animal welfare and increased product quality, with an emphasis on reduced use of chemicals in production systems. The negative environmental impact and the loss of biodiversity, due to livestock production systems, are major issues in both developed and developing countries. In developing countries, desertification and deforestation, the sustainable management of wildlife systems and the need to reduce competition between humans and animals for scarce resources, are all major issues of sustainability. While the developed world is looking towards "de-intensifying" its animal agriculture, the developing regions of the world have a perceived need to intensify animal production systems in order to support increasing populations, urban growth and an increased demand for animal products. The implications for scientific research include: aiming to optimise rather than maximise production; greater emphasis on the ecological aspects of sustainable systems, maintenance of biodiversity and natural resources; and minimising external inputs and satisfying the food, income and social needs of rural communities. Scientific communities must increasingly seek international collaboration in a global approach to the challenge of sustainable animal production. }, issn = {1176-5283}, author = {Parry A} }