Investigation of Energy Efficiency on Zell Breed Sheep under Traditional Rangeland Based Husbandry (Case Study: Baladeh Rangelands)

To investigate energy efficiency on Zell breed sheep under traditional rangeland based husbandry, three pastoralists in three different villages of Baladeh regions were selected (Davillat,  Chell and Baladeh). All livestock activities such as grazing, racing, walking, water drinking and rest were recorded since the beginning of animal presence in the rangeland (15 April) to early April next year and energy consumption was estimated using Nicole’s coefficients and MAFF equations. For verification of these two methods, animal feedstuffs were assessed and their energy metabolism was determined. The results showed that there are five work periods in Baladeh traditional rangeland based husbandry that are different based on husbandry activities. After determining the metabolic energy of consumed feed, it was found that Nicole’s coefficients had better results in comparison to the MAFF equations, so all subsequent calculations were based on Nicole’s coefficients.Eventually, total energy consumption of husbandry process during a year was estimated as follow: Davillat = 789 132, Chell = 741830.85and Baladeh = 880641.2 MJ and the resulting energy of animal productions was estimated as follow: Davillat = 272600, Chell = 243750 and Baladeh = 334165 MJ. By dividing the resulting energy of animal productions to total energy consumption of husbandry process, energy efficiency in all three areas was calculated, so that energy efficiency in the Baladeh, Davillat and Chell was about 38, 34.5 and 33% respectively.