Meet the editor

António Monteiro, Ph.D., is Coordinator Professor of Animal Science in the Agrarian School at the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu and a researcher in the CERNAS – Research Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society, Portugal. He received his Ph.D. in Agricultural Science–Animal Science from the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal. He has published several peer-reviewed papers and has led a wide

variety of research projects dealing with agricultural science and technologies. He held several management positions at the Agrarian School of Viseu prior to being appointed its president in 2016.

Contents

**Section 1**

Portugal

**Section 2**

*by Hamidou Nantoumé*

Sheep and Their F1 Crossbreeds

*María Climent and Delia Lacasta*

of Respiratory Disorders in Adult Sheep

**Preface III**

Feeding Sheep **1**

**Chapter 1 3**

**Chapter 2 15**

**Chapter 3 35**

Sheep Growth and Health **57**

**Chapter 4 59**

**Chapter 5 79**

Body Weight Gain and Carcass Yield Characteristics of Wollo Highland

*by Tadesse Amare Sisay, Gebeyehu Goshu Negia and Berhan Tamir Mersso*

Use of Computed Tomography and Thermography for the Diagnosis

*by Luis Miguel Ferrer, Juan José Ramos, Enrique Castells, Héctor Ruíz,* 

Sheep Grazing Management in the Mountain Region: Serra da Estrela,

*by António Monteiro, José Costa, Fernando Esteves and Sérgio Santos*

Sheep Digestive Physiology and Constituents of Feeds

*by Samir Medjekal and Mouloud Ghadbane*

Sheep Feeding in the Sahel Countries of Africa

## Contents


Preface

Sheep farming is mainly important in the poorest regions of the world, particularly in those where the country itself has few economic resources. Thus, this activity serves as a livelihood for many families, ensuring their survival. As such, it is important that sheep farming develops in such a way as to improve economic

This book examines ways to use natural resources in sheep farming. Section 1 discusses sheep feeding and examines how sheep digest feeds in the Sahel countries. It also examines sheep grazing management in the mountain region of Serra da Estrela, Portugal. Sheep farming is vitally important in these regions and relevant for sustaining their environment, biodiversity, and culture. Section 2 discusses growth and carcass yield, which are relevant characteristics for meat production. It is true that the carcass yield varies with the animal's growth. If the animal expresses most of its genetic potential and increases its average daily weight gain, it reaches its slaughter weight earlier and is more likely to generate profits for the producer. The chapter uses an example in Ethiopia to illustrate how to improve the growth and yield of sheep carcasses. In addition, the chapter presents a case of using computed tomography and thermography to diagnose respiratory disorders in sheep. The production of these small ruminants can be improved or made more efficient using new technologies, leading to precision zootechnics. The use of these technologies is not intended only for intensive systems; in fact, there are many and varied examples of the use of new technologies in extensive systems improving

**António Monteiro**

Viseu, Portugal

Agrarian School of Polytechnic Institute of Viseu,

production and the quality of life of farmers.

conditions.
