Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Research Instructor of Range Research Division, Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
This research was performed in Isfahan and Tehran Provinces. The races considered in
Tehran province were Zandi Sheep and native goat. Naeini Sheep and native goat were also
studied in Isfahan province. To feed livestock, rangelands (winter range and summer range),
aftermath of farms and handy hay were used. Using of aftermath and handy hay was done in all
flocks. The usage duration of hay, aftermath and rangelands in Tehran province was different
among the flocks considered in this study due to different flocks and different years as they
differed from 65 to 120, 100 to 180 and 90 to 245 days respectively. The usage duration of hay,
aftermath and rangelands in Isfahan province also differed from 85 to 100, 30 to 240 and 90 to
245 days respectively. In both provinces, the forage of rangelands and hay were used
simultaneously to compensate the shortage of forage in rangelands. Livestock products in the
flocks were milk, cheese, curd, butter, wool and fuzz. The amount of Per capita production was
different per head. In Tehran province, sheep suck differed from 25 to 120 days in the flocks
considered here. In Isfahan province the milk of sheep was used by lambs hence there was no
sheep suck. Curd production was just done in one flock which approximately produced 0.5kg
curd per a head of sheep annually. Wool harvest was performed in all flocks. Per capita
production of wool differed from 800 to 900gr per a head of sheep. Cheese production was done
through the milk of sheep and goat and its amount for sheep and goat differed from 2 to 7.7 and
4.5 to 12kg respectively. The average of wool and fuzz production in Isfahan province differed
from 500 to 800 and 200 to 250gr in different flocks respectively. In this province, cheese
produced from the milk of goat and differed from 90 to 1200gr related to the duration of suck in
different flocks. The amount of curd production also differed from 150 to 1500gr per a head of
goat. The amount of milk production in goat differed from 3 to 10kg related to the duration of
suck. The sale of lamb and goat was the main source of ranchers' income. The sale weight of
lamb and goat differed in various ages. Average weight of lamb and goat were different as
below: The average weight in 3, 3 to 6 and more than 6-year-old lambs of Naeini and Zandi
races was 28.8, 34.8 and 32.6kg respectively. Average weight in less than 3, 3 to 6 and more
than 6-year-old goats of native races in Isfahan and Tehran was 23.8, 23.8 and 24.7 kg
respectively. There was a significant difference between the weight of lambs and goats. There
was a significant difference between the weight of Naeini and Zandi sheep. The results showed
that the most economic age of livestock in both Naeini and Zandi races were 3 to 6- year-old.
Weights of 3 to 6-year-old lambs in Naeini and Zandi races were 29.6 and 39.8 kg respectively.
The weight of 3 to 6-year-old goats in native races of Isfahan and Varamin were 20.8 and 30.4
kg, respectively.
Keywords