Climate change adaptation strategies for sheep production in range land of Kordofan Region

ABSTRACT : Climate changes had great impact on livestock production systems in semi-arid zone. The effect of climate change on the stock raised under traditional nomadic system, that involving to extensive seasonal migratory movements for search of water and pasture, the stock of thus subjected of combination of stress such as long journeys, extensive of heat, insufficient water supply, an scarcity and low nutritive quality of pasture particularly during the long dry season. This study was carried out to decrease the effect of long dry season on sheep productivity in north Kordofan state. A total of 340 ewes and 18 rams of desert sheep were selected from the nomadic herds, animals were divided randomly into four groups, group one was as farmer’s practice (not supplement) and the other three groups were supplemented. The breeding is controlled with application of “Kunan” during the breeding season (February to March). Supplementation in the dry season had improved the reproductive and productive performance of the ewes. Lambs borne from group one had less body weight gain. These results of the study indicated the importance of the nutritional status of the animals to adapt the effect of climate chances on rangeland by supplementation strategies during the long dry season, also the application of breeding control increased lambing % in the rainy season and growth rate of lambs was improved. The sududy showed that, supplementation and application of Kunan during breeding season are very important strategies to adapt climate change in the rangeland of Kordofan.