Preweaning productivity of suckling goats and sheep in Guadeloupe (FWI) under intensive reproductive rate and grazing management.

ABSTRACT

In Guadeloupe, small ruminants are reared for meat production under pasture conditions. Intensive rotative grazing systems (irrigated, fertilized and high-stocked tropical pastures) allow satisfactory levels of production but generate high post-grazing residues. Experiments were designed to control these. A system in which residuals were mown (RM) was tested in comparison to the control system (residuals remained, RR). The same design was carried out over two years with Creole goats and Martinik sheep. An accelerated reproductive rate (3 parturitions over 2 years) was carried out. Systems were compared at three parturition seasons per year (dry, intermediate and rainy seasons). Each group was composed of 20 goats (36.0+/-2.5 kg) or 20 ewes (46.8+/-2.4 kg). The systems exhibited high levels of productivity in both species compared to other results in the tropics more than 50 and 30 offspring born alive per hectare and per reproductive season for the goat and ewe flocks, respectively. The annual production at birth was 110 kg kids/ha per year and 133 kg lambs/ha per year (i.e. 21% more). Corresponding values at weaning were 630 kg kids/ha per year and 785 kg lambs/ha per year (i.e. 25% more). The RM system produced 10% more than the RR system in Creole goats, while it produced 35% more in Martinik sheep. Seasonal effects and other factors of variation are discussed.