Autoria: COSTA, J. A. A. da; GONZALEZ, C. I. M.

Resumo: Sheep farming for mutton production is expanding in Brazil thanks to the different possibilities of integrating it into existing production systems. Cattle farming is still the main animal production activity in large-scale integrated systems in Brazil, though sheep farming, supported by cattle farming know-how, tends to rapidly overcome some technological barriers that limit its development as a local agribusiness option. Integrated systems substantially reduce use of deworming products in sheep farming, due to annual crops and integrated grazing with cattle. Moreover, these systems promote animal welfare by improving ambience through tree shading and increased forage nutritional value. Compared to traditional cattle farming, sheep farming results in higher meat yields in short production cycles, which, coupled with a promising market would increase and diversify farmers’ income, optimizing inputs and natural resources efficiency. Sheep farming in Brazil; Sheep production systems; Integrated sheep and cattle grazing with a focus on sustainability; Control of sheep internal parasite infestations in integrated production systems; Sheep farming in integrated systems; Closing remarks

Ano de publicação: 2014

Tipo de publicação: Parte de livro (capítulos de livros, trabalhos e resumos publicados em anais ou em coletâneas)

Unidade: Embrapa Caprinos e Ovinos

Palavras-chave: Carne, Carneiro, Mutton, Ovino, Production systems, Produção Integrada, Sheep, Sistema de produção