Optimizing profitability in dual-purpose Assaf sheep farms: management effects under natural and artificial suckling in Palestine.

This study aims to assess the productive, reproductive and economic performance of Assaf sheep farms operating in arid Mediterranean conditions and how farm location, suckling practice (natural or artificial) and lamb marketing strategy (weaning or fattening) influence net revenue. Data from 520 ewes on farms located in the governorates of Jenin, Jericho, Tubas and Tulkarm were analysed in this study. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on the ewes, with standardized annual data collected for each ewe, including production traits, input costs and revenues, using farm records and structured questionnaires. Artificial suckling reduced lamb mortality compared with natural suckling (0.02% versus 0.08%, P < 0.05). Farms using artificial suckling also achieved higher annual prolificacy, producing 2.21 lambs per ewe per year compared with 2.06 in naturally suckled flocks. Feed constituted the major production expense and accounted for 73% of total costs. The highest net revenue was obtained on farms that combined artificial suckling with fattening of lambs, reaching 828USD per ewe per year. Farm location had a significant effect on profitability (P < 0.01), driven mainly by differences in feed costs and access to local markets. These results indicate that targeted management interventions can substantially improve productivity and farm income in dual-purpose sheep systems.