Livestock Production in Southern Lebanon

RANGELANDS 14(2), April 1992 115 Livestock Production in Southern Lebanon Robert R. Rouda Prior to the outbreakof civil war in 1975, Lebanon was polled usingquestionnaires during 1984 to identify major considered by many as the "Switzerland of the Middle problemsrestricting livestockproduction. Questions re- East" (Figure 1). Although relatively small in size lating to livestockpopulation statistics, nutrition, health, (1,040,000 ha.), Lebanon contains three basic climatic production and marketingwere asked. Also the produc- zones, each characterized by mild winters and dry sum- ers' eagerness to participatein agriculturalcooperatives mers. Annual precipitation along the coastline, in the were surveyed. A total of 39 villageswithin the Bint Jbeil mountainregions and in the Bekaa Valley are 900, 1,000 and Marjeyoun districts of South Lebanon were visited. and 400 mm., respectively(Andreou et al. 1979). Almost Five hundredand ninetyquestionnaires were completed. Eligibility to be polled was limited to those village resi- dents owning a minimum of two cows and/or 5 sheep and/or 5 goats. In some villages not all eligible owners attended the questionnaire-fillingsessions, but the views ofthosethat did are assumed to be representative of their village, in general. Livestock Populations The total number of cattle in those villages surveyed was recorded as 2,296 head. Theseanimals were mainly of the local or Baladi breed. They were tn-purpose, pro- viding their owners with milk, meat and draft power. In addition to the Baladi, some Holstein X Baladi hybrids were also reported.These animals were the offspringof a number of certified Holstein sires introduced into the region by an international development agency (Meno- nite Central Committee) as part of their Bull Placement Program in the late 1970's. Only 11%of the cattle popula- tion were pure Holstein cows. Sheep in the areas surveyed totalled 6,391. They were exclusivelyof the fat-tail Awassi breed. Goats werefound to be the most numerous species of livestockin theareas (11,079),and were mainly of the Baladi breed (Figure 2). Sheep were tn-purpose (milk, meat and wool) while goats were basically dual purpose(milk and meat). Thesepopulation statisticsare in accordance with thosefigures presented by FAQ 1 980a where total populationsof cattle,sheep andgoats in all of Lebanon were estimated as 4,000, 130,000 and 340,000 FIg. 1. Geographicalmap of the Republicof Lebanon. head, respectively. one third of the country's areais arable or undercultiva- Animal Nutrition tion. Approximately25% is irrigated production. Despite the war that has the malignant virtually blanketed once Cattle were almost exclusively trough fed. Sheep and booming banking and tourism industries, Lebanon con- goats were usually entrusted by their ownersto a village tinuous to have a substantial livestockpopulation. Red shepherd who allowed animals to as one herd, meat and graze, dairy products are important ingredients in private and public lands surroundingthe village. Animals Lebanese cuisine.The bulk of these productshave to be were often allowed to graze leased crop residue plots since demand exceeds In imported local production. an when available (Figure 3). In addition to grazed forage, attempt to documentlimitations to livestockproduction sheep and goats were reportedly provided with a daily inwar-torn southern inthe area were Lebanon, producers cereal based supplement to compensate for low forage and/or As in most Author is assistantprofessor, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, quality availability. livestock opera- American Universityof Beirut, Lebanon. tions, feed costs were reportedly the highest investment The author wishesto thank the Farran family of Tibnin for their assistance and hospitality during data collection and the Middle East council of owners had to suffer. However the steepness ofthis cost Churchesfor itsfunding of this work. may reflect not readilyobvious factors. The need for daily 116 RANGELANDS14(2), April 1992 supplementation may be indicative of depleted range- landscaused by improper use. Also, continuouscivil dis- turbancesdramatically affected the availabilityand con- sequent price of concentrate feeds. Prices often sky- rocketed overnight due to the sudden closure of roads linking villages and towns. The most commongrains fed to livestockin those villages surveyed included barley, yellow corn and wheat, which were fed either whole or cracked. Chaff and bran constitutedthe animals' main source of roughage. Some cattleowners reportedly fed their cowscotton seed meal pellets (15°Iocrude protein)during early lactation. Priorto weaning, young animalswere permitted to sucklefreely. During post weaning they were sometimes finished on grains dependingon economicfeasibility. In 80% of the villages surveyed, owners stated that they had to pur- chasetankerloads of water during the dry months (May through September) in orderto satisfytheir domesticand livestock needs. Water was purchased from nearby owners who had access to water on their property (river, springor well), at prices well above the cost of water from public resources. The implemention of public water development projects ceased when war broke out in 1975. The implementation of these projects should resume once security conditions permits. Animal Health Although many animal health problems go undiag- nosed, some owners described a number of diseases as troublesome (Table 1). All those interviewed declared that veterinary treatment was restricted to cattle since treatment of sheep and goats often cost more than the marketvalue of the animal. In 87% of the villages, owners FIg. 2. A local or Baladi goat browsing a berry tree. vaccinated their animals against locally enzootic dis- FIg. 3. A herd of sheep and goats being led by their shepherd towards a plot of wheatresidue. RANGELANDS 14(2), April1992 117 eases. Diseases against which vaccination was report- tude may be greatlya consequence of the high degree of edly performed included Foot and Mouth disease, Foot illiteracy (67%) observed in those interviewed. General Rot, Rinderpestand Sheep Pox. Some owners claimed appearance and verbal assurance about milk production they had vaccinatedagainst Babasia blood parasite. This and offspring weaning weightswere reportedlythe only was considered peculiar since no commercial vaccine criteria available for selection of breeding stock. against Babasia had been produced in 1984 (A. El Zein', The breeding season of sheep and goats was reported personel communication).In the absence of any kind of to begin in early May and extend through October.FAO receiptfurnished by the vaccinator, it wasspeculated that 1980a reported that the breeding season of sheep and this informationwas inaccurate. Only a few ownersin 13 goats in Lebanon began in August and extended into of the 39 villages admitted they did not know what they November. This discrepency may be an expression of had vaccinatedtheir animals against. Local vaccinators adaptation in ewes to location. Owners reported that performed the vaccinations at prices ranging between rams were allowed to run with the herd throughout the $0-S per shot. Vaccines were provided at no charge by year. Lambs were usually weaned at 3 monthsof age, at theLebanese centralgovernmentthrough its animalpro- which time they averaged between 20 and 30 kg. They tection sectionwithin theMinistry of Agriculture.Owners were marketed at 6 monthsof age (average weight 25—35 costs covered solely the expenses of the vaccinator. kg). Kids were weaned at 3 to 5 months of age (average Ownersthat did not vaccinatetheir animals complained weight 10-15 kg) and marketed at 6—8months, at which they they could not afford the vaccinatorsfee. time they averaged between 15 and 25 kg. Calves were When asked about thesource of the vaccine their anim- reportedly weaned between 5-8 months of age (average als were getting, only 5% knew that the sourcewas the weight 60—80 kg) and marketed at 12 months (120—150 Ministry of Agriculture. In one village, owners reported kg). Weaning weights and weaning and marketing ages obtaining vaccines from Israel. No knowledge as to the reportedin this study are comparable with earlierworks; source or terms of distribution of vaccines was almost however market weights were somewhat lighter. FAO absolute in 74% of the villages surveyed. All of those 1980a reported market weightsof 45-60 kg, 30-45 kg and owners interviewed claimed that they would be willing to 400-500 kg, respectively, for lambs, kids and calves at vaccinatetheir animals if the service was provided at a ages similar to those reported in this study. This may be reasonable price. Also, most owners readily agreed to indicative ofpoor post-weaning nutrition and/orimproper have their animals screened for infectiousdiseases should finishing management. It is worth mentioningthat actual weighing at weaning and marketing was seldom under- Table 1. Diseases reported having a presenceIn South Lebanon. taken in all ofthe villages surveyed. All weights presented here were ocular estimates. Oweners reportedly sold Nameof Disease Percentoccurrence over their animalsto local butchers, based exclusively on the all villages surveyed appearance of the animal and their particular financial Anthrax 3 state, at prices rangingbetween $25-30per lamb, $10-15 BabasiaBlood Parasite 49 per kid and $120—150 per calf. Enterotoxemia 33 The average length of lactation in Baladi, hybrid and Foot and Mouth Disease 59 Holstein cows in the villages surveyed

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