Management of reproduction in sheep and goats, conventional and organic farming production systems: inventory of practices, interest and acceptability of new management tools in six production areas in France

Abstract

A major concern for small ruminant productions is to control the seasonality of reproduction. The current socio-economic context incites both to develop alternatives to hormonal treatment for the induction and synchronization of oestrus for conventional farms and to propose new perspectives for organic farms. We established the current state of reproduction management practices implemented in the six French main production areas from surveys of 97 farm stakeholders and 298 sheep and goat breeders under both conventional and organic farming. We then evaluated the acceptability of the actors for two innovative tools related to reproduction management on farms: the use of pheromones involved in the male effect (an alternative to hormonal treatment for induction and synchronization of ewe oestrus) and the automated electronic oestrus detection (to optimize the mating moment for AI or natural service). The light-based treatments, the use of melatonin and long lactations which induce out-of-season breeding are only met on goat farms. Flushing is mainly performed on sheep farms. PDO specifications do not allow the use of hormonal treatment and melatonin, which are consequently solely used under conventional farming. By contrast, the male effect is mentioned for goat and sheep farms. Estrus detection is performed only on dairy flocks for goats and ewes. Lastly, flushing is mainly used on ewe farms. Breeders and stakeholders are interested by the use of pheromones for the induction and the synchronization of oestrus. However, a question has arisen on the compatibility of this tool with the specifications of organic farms. The picture is more mixed for automated detection devices. Their ability to facilitate the work organization and the artificial insemination process is highlighted by breeders. The latter are nevertheless worried about the inconsistency of the tool with their current flock management on pasture. Although some breeders are ready to use the two tools, they are therefore waiting for the results on effectiveness / cost / ease of use before buying them.se before buying them.