[Surveys on farm structure and marketing of products of animal origin from sheep and goat farms].

Abstract

The population of sheep and goats has significantly decreased during the last few years. The aim of this study is to identify opportunities for an improvement of the support of this part of livestock farming.A questionnaire was developed in cooperation with the Hessian Sheep Breeders' Association and the Hessian Goat Breeders' Association to record the situation of sheep and goat farming in Hesse. The survey was made publicly available online and sent to livestock farmers in written form.112 sheep farmers and 66 goat farmers participated in the survey. Most small ruminants are kept on small farms (median herd size sheep: 35.5 animals (deviation±74.8); median herd size goats: 14.5 animals (deviation±25.4)). The majority of farms keep the animals as a hobby or as a side business. It is noticeable that numerous breeds that are kept face the threat of extinction. A significant proportion of farms wants to increase their number of animals (sheep farmers 23.4%; goat farmers: 28%). The three most important uses are the production of meat, landscape management as well as the sale of the animals. Milk and wool production only play a minor role. Direct marketing of products is the most important sales channel. The most common obstacles in marketing are the lack of regional slaughter and marketing possibilities as well as marketing problems.Based on the survey of sheep and goat farmers, obstacles and opportunities for the targeted promotion of small ruminant husbandry were identified.The survey of sheep and goat farmers shows that hobby farming plays a major role for these animal species. This creates a new field of activity for veterinarians, in which the treatment individual animals is the focus of interest.