La integración ovina en los sistemas agrícolas de Castilla-La Mancha.Una alternativa a la agricultura convencional

Abstract

In an attempt to assess the present level of integration of crop and sheep farming in Castile-La Mancha (Southern central plain of the Iberian Península), a survey questionnaire was sent to the staff of the Agricultural Extensión Service in 1988/89. Responses to the four-part questionnaire characterized respondents by administrative provinces and by location as related to elevation. Of a total of 73 extensión agencies, 62 valid questionnaires were returned. Data on the use of agricultural land, hay yields, and stocking rales suggest that in all but two áreas, a forage déficit occurred. Thus, a year-long coordinated feeding programme is not currently operating, but could be achieved by increasing the mean current forage legume acreage over rainfed arable land by 8 per cent. Only 19 per cent of farmers are pastoralist, and 46 per cent of grazers are operating only on rented land. Social altitudes of farmers loward currenl melhods of sheep produclion are unrelaled wilh íhe forage deficil, acling as an addilional factor which disincline farmers lo íhe integration. Less labor-demanding method of sheep produclion musí be implemenled if crop-livestock syslems are lo be a feasible allernalive lo the presenl cereal monocullure.