Livestock Studies 2009, Vol 49, Num, 1     (Pages: 063-075)

Some traits in organic versus conventional cattle and sheep production

Sibel ALAPALA 1 ,Necmettin ÜNAL 2

1 Uşak Üniversitesi Sivaslı Meslek Yüksekokulu Organik Tarım Programı, Sivaslı/UŞAK
2 Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Zootekni Anabilim Dalı Dışkapı/ANKARA
- Comparison of organic and conventional cattle and sheep production in terms of some traits were reviewed. Milk production in organic dairy cattle herds is generally lower than that of in conventional herds. Fat percentage of milk produced from organic dairy cattle herds is tend to be lower, or similar to the that of milk obtained from conventional herds. It has been reported that reproductive performance was similar in both system, or lower in organic herds. It has been observed that health data of animal in organic dairy herds, as well as somatic cell count, is similar, or better than conventional herds. On the other hand, the parasites were considered to be the most important problem in animal health of organic cattle herds. Data reflecting fertility disorders in organic dairy herds are similar, or better than conventional herds. Daily weight gain in organic beef production is lower than that of conventional production, although fat percentage in carcass obtained from both production systems is contradictory. According to the few studies on dealing with comparison of both systems in sheep production, milk production in organic dairy sheep herds is generally lower than that of in conventional herds. As like organic cattle herds, the parasites were reported as the most important problem in animal health of organic sheep herds. Keywords : Organic, Conventional, Cattle, Sheep, Production, Health