Production systems of sheep and the occurrence of Maedi-Visna Virus in properties located in the Juazeiro, BA, microregion

Abstract

In order to obtain data from the used sheep production systems and to analyze them to the occurrence of Maedi-Visna in properties located in the microregion of Juazeiro - BA, some features of health, food and reproductive management were inquired from the application of questionnaires, on 58 properties located in the eight municipalities that make up this region: Juazeiro; Sento Sé; Sobradinho; Pilão Arcado; Campo Alegre de Lourdes; Remanso; Casa Nova and Curaçá. This survey evaluated some basic elements in the production chain. It was asserted that 89.6% (81.74% - 97.46%) of the producers raise their animals extensively and 58.6% (45.92% - 71.28%) have no technical assistance. The health management seemed to be precarious. Caseous lymphadenitis is one of most commonly diseases observed by farmers. 919 samples of sheep serum were collected and analyzed by AGID in the Laboratory of Clinical Pathology of Embrapa Goats, in Sobral - CE. Four animals were positive. The Lentivirus of Small Ruminants has been shown in several studies to be directly related to the management practices adopted on the properties. It is believed the low number of positive sheep found in this survey is related to the low technological level used in this region. Another possibility is that the regional sheep herd is predominantly made up of native or mixed breed.