Best Practices for Managing Awassi Sheep 4-Lactation Period

Abstract

This booklet is part of a ten-part series of technical guidelines describing best practices for managing Awassi sheep – the dominant sheep breed in several countries across the Middle East. The series is targeted at sheep farmers and milk processors, and provides practical, easy-to-follow advice on managing Awassi sheep under dryland conditions. Efficient husbandry, feeding, and milk processing are crucial in the management of Awassi sheep, but many small-scale producers are unfamiliar with simple productivity-enhancing practices. This series aims to fill this information gap, enabling farmers to increase their income from livestock while using resources more efficiently and sustainably. The series draws on the practical experience of researchers, as well as a review of existing literature, to capture scientific and local knowledge in an easily accessible format in local languages. The booklets are organized in accordance with sheep management calendars and describe the management of Awassi ewes during important physiological stages over the year. Supplementary guidelines provide additional information on each stage. The fourth stage, outlined in this booklet, is lactation.