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Major concerns of the small ruminant farmer on St. Kitts
Roberson, J.; Cameron-Blake, N...
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Introduction: Small ruminants make up a large percentage of livestock on St. Kitts but their numbers are declining, estimated to be less than 10,000 head. Because many of the small ruminant farmers of St. Kitts do not own pasture, their herds and or flocks will typically be allowed free range. This complicates production and disease management practices that could help provide improved sustainability. Small ruminant productivity can be increased but only after understanding, ad- dressing and correcting the major issues and concerns of the small ruminant producer on St. Kitts.
Objectives: 1) Investigate the concerns and management practices of the St. Kitts small ruminant producer and 2) Prior- itize and provide possible solutions.
Materials and Methods: Fifty small ruminant producers were solicited via telephone or in person to participate in this study. A questionnaire was administered on site to the producers to better comprehend herd and flock management practices. Information was gathered regarding general farm statistics, nutrition, marketing, reproduction, disease occurrence, disease treatment and or prevention methods and facilities. Producers were asked to list their top three major concerns. Producers were also asked to list the top 3 major disease concerns.
Results: The results indicate that predation by dogs affected 50% of small ruminant producers. The second most common issues (36%) were genetic improvement and obtaining medications for both treatment and prevention. The fourth most common issue was theft, 30% of farms. Other major issues were nutrition (26%), general disease issues (24%), fencing/pens (24%), internal parasites (22%), external parasites, predominatley ticks (22%) and availability of land/pasture (22%). Other issues that were listed < 10% of the time were, dermatophilus, livestock transport, herd health, housing, wild fires, trauma (hit by bus) and marketing. Specific diseases were not among the top four concerns but the primary specific disease concerns were internal parasites (76%), ticks (72%) and dermatophilus (36%). Other diseases or clinical conditions mentioned as concerns (< 20% of the time) were upper respiratory diseases (nasal bots), abortion, contagious ecthyma, mange, spiders, foot issues, tetanus, sudden death and frothy mouth.
Conclusion: The major issues affecting the small ruminant farmers were unexpected as disease issues were not in the top four (e. g. internal parasites). Efforts directed toward decreasing dog predation and theft would benefit the small ruminant farmer. Genetic improvement may be increased by importation of select sheep and goats to the island. Making medications easily, economically and readily available would benefit the St. Kitts small ruminant producer.
Keywords: Sheep, goat, problems, survey.
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Affiliation of the authors at the time of publication
Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine, Brookville, United States;
Ross School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
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