KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL LEVEL OF SHEEP HOLDERS AND FACTORS AFFECTING THAT IN ASSIUT AND SOHAG GOVERNORATES

ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this research was to determine the management knowledge and
skills level of sheep owners in the form of herds. This study also dealt with determining the
factors affecting these gained levels in some of Elmarg regions in Jamahiriya. In addition, the
study aimed to identify the most important problems facing sheep owners in this regard.
Data were collected through interviews schedule for all raisers having 40 heads or more
of mature ewes and rams. Their total number came to 95 respondents. Data were collected from
90 persons out of them. Percentages, averages, standard deviation as well as simple correlation
coefficient were the statistical means used in analyzing and presenting data.
The main results were as follows:
 The trend of breeding sheep show that 60% had positive trend, but those who had negative
trend was 7.8% which is due to the importance of sheep in farming system in these regions
(Assiut and sohag).
 The personal experience was high; within 75% have more than 4 years experience.
 The flock size, more than 53.33 % of the raisers have 39 mature ewes, and 46.67% have 25-38
mature ewes.
 In the field of health care and treatment of sheep, the results revealed that 40% of the raisers
had a low skill level , and 46.7% had moderate skill level . The findings showed also that
around 54% from the sheep raisers did not have skill to diagnose ewes suffering diseases and
how to treat them,49% had low skills level in helping ewes at delivery, 39% had low level of
knowledge concerning the reasons of inflation and how to deal with inflated ewes, 36% had
low level of skills concerning introducing first aids in case sheep exposed to pesticide
poisoning.
 There were correlations between the level of knowledge, the level of skills, and some socioeconomic
independent variables and also some communicational independent variables as
well.
Finally, the study showed that the role of the veterinary units and extension workers is
limited in respect of educating, training and enlightening the sheep raisers. The main problem in
sheep raising is the feeding and veterinary care, especially the high price of feeding resources
and drugs.