China's local sheep breeds represent a significant resource advantage, with numerous indigenous species including both sheep and goats. Mutton production is primarily based on these native breeds. In recent years, China has introduced several high-performance meat breeds from countries like Australia, New Zealand, France, and the UK, such as Dorset, Dextro, Charolais, Suffolk, and Boer goats. These crossbreeding efforts have been supported by local breeding systems that incorporate artificial insemination, cold storage techniques, and hybridization to enhance productivity.
For example, crossbreeding hornless Dorset rams with small-tailed ewes or Suffolk rams with small-tailed sheep has produced hybrid lambs with improved meat performance. These hybrids show a 207% growth rate, reaching 29 kg at three months of age and achieving a carcass weight of 24.2 kg at six months. With a slaughter rate of 52.5% and a meat yield of 82%, these results highlight the success of integrating local resources with advanced breeding technologies.
The use of agricultural by-products and crop residues has further optimized feed efficiency, making mutton production more sustainable. By combining traditional practices with modern scientific methods, farmers have significantly boosted meat production, meeting the growing demand for quality meat in urban and rural areas while achieving economic, social, and environmental benefits.
In terms of technical measures, the sheep industry has evolved from extensive management to large-scale, factory-based operations. Key areas include breeding techniques, feed formulation, feeding strategies, and housing design. Sheep shelters must be located on elevated, well-drained land, away from residential areas, with access to grazing, feed, and clean water.
Housing design should ensure adequate space, ventilation, and insulation. The floor area per sheep should be between 0.5–2 square meters, with outdoor areas at least twice the size of the indoor space. Windows and doors should be appropriately sized for airflow and easy management, while movable barriers help with handling and disease control.
Essential equipment includes feeding troughs, drinking stations, lamb pens, and specialized facilities like medicine baths and silos. These tools support efficient feeding, health management, and overall farm productivity.
Lamb rearing involves early weaning and careful feeding strategies. Lambs can be fed high-energy grains like corn after weaning, with salt blocks and automatic feeders helping to maintain optimal nutrition. Vaccination and parasite control are crucial during the fattening period.
After weaning, lambs are typically fattened for 50–60 days, with gradual dietary transitions to minimize stress. Depending on the breed and target weight, different feeding strategies—concentrate-based, roughage-based, or silage-based—are used to maximize growth and meat quality.
Overall, the integration of science, technology, and traditional knowledge has transformed mutton sheep farming into a more productive and sustainable industry, ensuring food security and economic growth in China’s rural areas.
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