Reproductive Performance of Native Romanian Turcana Sheep Breed Reared for Organic Meat Production under Highlands Conditions

• Main Author: Maria Sauer
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Agroprint Timisoara 2013-05-01
• Series: Scientific Papers Animal Science and Biotechnologies
• Online Access: http://spasb.ro/index.php/spasb/article/view/91

Aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of turning from conventional to organic production systems on the reproductive performance of native Romanian Turcana sheep breed reared for lamb-meat production under highlands conditions. Researches were carried out in two farms from highlands of western Romania, one farm was registered for organic production and the other reared sheep under conventional practices. In Turcana breed, average conception rate registered under organic production system was of 97.94%, while in conventional rearing the conception rate was of 94.72%, differences registered between the two system being significantly statistic (p≤0.05). Prolificacy was not influenced (p≥0.05) by the production system in Turcana ewes, with average values registered of 118.18% under organic production system and of 115.16% under conventional conditions, respectively. It was concluded that shortcomings caused by restrictions required by organic production can be surpassed throughout proper management and rearing conditions.