Sheep farming in Israel, Genetic improvement Improved Awassi sheep and Assaf sheep breeds. The Assaf sheep breed gives less milk but higher lambs per year (1.6 per calving x 1.3 calving per year)

1. Ofier Langer
Manager The Israeli Dairy School

2. • In Early Jewish history tending sheep
was the choice profession of many of
Jewish nation’s leaders.
• The list includes such biblical greats
as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Rachel.
• King David, too, herded goats and sheep.

3. 3
• Loves technology
• Seeks innovations
• Demands individual animal information
• Relies on automatic systems
• Using management software –keep
records
• Willing to share farm data & results

5. • 124,000 Israeli Holstein cows
• 850 dairy farms
• 64,000 dairy sheep and goats
• 56 sheep farms and 81 goats farms
• Local breeds – genetically improved
• Well-adapted to the local environment
5

6. Genetic improvement
Improved Awassi and Assaf breeds

7. • Started on early 1930 with the local Awassi
sheep breed (by that time 40 liter/year)
• Improving husbandry and feeding and after a
few years in the kibbutz reached 250 liter/year
•Measurement once a month and collecting the
data. On 1950, 10,000 animals in the herd book
• The result is Improved Awassi with 550
liter/year

8. • The East Friesian originating from northern Germany, did not
succeed in Israel due to diseases (mainly pneumonia)
• In 1955, researchers of the Israeli Agricultural Research
Organization (ARO) initiated a project to improve the fertility of
the Awassi sheep.
Measuring three main parameters:
• Milk production
• Birth rate
• Vitality
• A combination of 3/8 East Friesian and 5/8 Awassi emerged as
the best cross
• The Assaf breed gives less milk but higher lambs per year (1.6
per calving x 1.3 calving per year)

9. • Israeli based organization
• Our mission is to improve the dairy knowhow to dairy farmers
and Dairy professionals based on the Israeli experience.
• We hold short seminars in Israel

10. The Best from the Land of Milk and Honey
For more information
about sheep farming
info@dairyschool.co.il