Productivity and profitability of meat and milk production from small ruminants are geared by reproductive performance. Females that fail to reproduce are only negatively impacting the environment. A major setback here is infertility but other reproductive-related problems are also important. A whole generation of easy-use, high resolution, portable ultrasound machines is now available to provide different levels of information which will translate into concrete management strategies.
ICARDA has been testing field solutions for ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis to reduce reproductive losses and increase lambing rates in sheep and goat flocks – initially in with Awassi sheep in agro-pastoral systems of Jordan, Karakul sheep in Aral Sea, Angora goats in Fergana Valley and Menz sheep in Ethiopian highlands.
The activity was funded through the Livestock and Fish CRP and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-funded SmaRT Ethiopia Project – Improving the Performance of Pro-Poor Sheep and Goat Value Chains for Enhanced Livelihoods, Food and Nutrition Security in Ethiopia.
