Production of Desert Sheep in Rangeland of Kordofan, Sudan

Desert sheep production in marginal area of Kordofan is very important source of income for the nomadic tribes. These stocks are raised under a wide variety of ecological zones and are able to survive and produce in harsh environmental conditions. Nutritional limitations constitute one of the most important productivity constraints for Sheep production in Kordofan, where natural pasture forms the basic source of animal feed. The natural pasture becomes more deficient in energy, protein and essential minerals during the long dry period of the year. Consequently desert sheep are apt to suffer from nutritional deficiencies and loss of body weight during the dry season. The pasture is scarce due to fibrous low nutritive value plants. This is generally reflected in slower growth rate, reduced maturity and decreased productive and reproductive performance. This book would be therefore of great importance to correct these seasonal nutritional inadequacies in order to enhance productivity of the desert sheep. It also summarizes the importance of the nutritional status of the desert sheep for improving of productive and reproductive performance by using locally available concentrate feeds.