There are three main species of goats: baladi (local), Shami and hybrids (crosses between baladi and shami). Approximately 90 per cent a baladi species, 3 per cent Shami and the remainder hybrids. Similarly there are three main species of sheep: baladi, Assaf and hybrids. The baladi sheep account for approximately 95 per cent, the Assaf 4 per cent and hybrids 1 per cent. Again, there are three main species of cattle, baladi, Freisian and hybrids. Baladi species account for approximately 36 per cent, Freisian 64 per cent and hybrids less than 1 per cent (ARIJ, 1998).
The Eastern Slopes agro-ecological region makes up most of the PA’s rangeland or grazing land. Of the 150,000 ha existing, 127,500 ha is closed to Palestinians as a result of Israeli Settlements or Military areas. Thus, 22,500 ha remain as open rangeland for the grazing of ruminants (ie, sheep and goats). The estimated carrying capacity of this area is 2,600 ruminants. (Le Houerou 1998) There are currently 150,000 ruminants in the area.
Source: PEnA
To support a herd some 58 times larger than the lands carrying capacity, a large amount of commercial feed is used. Assuming that each ruminant requires 650 kg dry matter/ year (Le Houerou 1998) then 97,500 tonnes of dry matter per year (150,000 ruminants * 0.65t/ ruminant) are needed to feed the Palestinian herd. The rangeland supplies 1,700 tonnes (0.075 t/ ha * 22,500 ha) (Le Houerou 1998). This is less than 2 per cent of the feed requirements of the herd. The difference (i.e., 98 per cent of the feed requirements) is currently being made up with commercial feeds.