São Paulo – Apart from the good results for 2010, perspectives are the best for small sheep farmers in São Paulo in 2011. Mainly for the 90 entrepreneurs participating in a project to foster the raising of the animals in the region of Marília, 450 kilometres away from state capital São Paulo. The idea is to stimulate expansion of the herds, currently estimated at 500,000 heads in the state. According to farmers, 5 million heads will be necessary to supply the state demand. Today, Brazil imports between 60% and 70% of the sheep it consumes, mainly from Uruguay and Argentina.
Among the factors boosting sheep farming among small farmers is the fact that the animals do not need great areas of pasture. "It is possible to place up to 400 sheep on each hectare," explained Cledson Augusto Garcia, a breeder and professor at the University of Marília (Unimar). "That is, on ten hectares, it is already possible to develop good work," he said.
Apart from the price, currently between 135 Brazilian reals (US$ 80) and 165 reals (US$ 97) per arroba (approximately 15 kilograms), another advantage to sheep farming is the fast reproductive cycle of these animals. To give an idea, a sheep’s gestation period is 150 days, followed by 60 days up to weaning and 60 days up to the time of slaughter, totalling 270 days. "Just the gestation period of a cow is 280 days," said Garcia.
According to the breeder and professor, production of sheep in the country grows on average 10% to 20% a year. And sheep adapt well to all regions of the country. "They cope with any climate, except the polar," he added.
Apart from the mutton itself, wool is another source of income for farmers. "The material is well accepted for handicraft," he explained. "Each kilogram of bulk wool costs between 2 and 4 Brazilian reals (US$ 1.18 and 2.35, respectively), but, according to the study, this value may be up to 1,000% greater," said Garcia.
The project for support to sheep farming in Marília is developed by the local unit of the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae) and by Unimar, and also has the support of Marfrig slaughterhouse, installed in the region. According to the local manager at the Sebrae, Cristiane Souza Aguiar, work is being developed for organisation of production among entrepreneurs. "The objective is to have greater quality and quantity, with better supply of mutton to slaughterhouses," she explained.
Another point that has been stimulated is the genetic improvement of the species. "That is how we are going to offer more nutritious and tasty mutton," said Cristiane. This way, according to the manager, producers in the region will be capable of expanding sales to Brazil and even exporting. "We may sell more mutton locally, around the state, country or even on the international market," explained the manager.
*Translated by Mark Ament
