Trends in small ruminant production in extensively managed areas of North East Portugal
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The total area of Portugal is 8.9 m ha of which 3.8 m are arable. Of the latter, 0.81 m ha is permanent
grassland and 0.41 m ha is temporary forages and pastures. Total number of farms is 445,000 of which
77% are less than 5 ha in size. Only 2% offam1s are greater than 50 ha. The total population is 9.4 m of which 49% is employed. Of those employed, 11% work in agriculture. This has fallen from 17% in 1990.
Total cattle is 1.3 m including 0.36 m dairy cows and 0.25 m beef cows. Since 1990 the number of dairy cows has fallen but the number of beef cows has not increased. Dairy cows are practically all Friesian but beef cows are predominantly native breeds. Beef production systems are very variable with very small herd sizes. It is usually a secondary enterprise to vegetables or crops. Many calves are sold for slaughter at weaning at 6-8 months of age and 200 kg liveweight. Total number of sheep is about 3.4 m.
The main purpose of sheep farming is milk production. There are 3 main systems of production 1)
intensive -reared on grass and finished on concentrates, 2) upland - lambs produced entirely off grass and conserved forages and 3) hill production with some scavenging on cereal stubbles. Mean carcass weight is 10 kg and Portugal has a deficit of lamb meat. There are a total of about 0.6 m goats.
