Kut sheep breeders say prized local rams draw buyers as feed, water pressures grow

WASIT — Sheep breeder Thamer Hashoush al-Nadawi said the Kut sheep’s reputation is tied to the quality of its meat and the demand it attracts across Iraq, with animals sourced primarily from the Wasit districts of al-Hayy, Ahrar and Numaniyah.

Al-Nadawi told 964media that breeders from Amarah and Samawah often seek males from those areas to breed with their own flocks and improve genetics.

964media documented part of al-Nadawi’s daily routine on Dec. 21 in the Mazak area, where he tends to what he described as prized “Quraishi” sheep.

He said the animals include Quraishi and Naeimi breeds, which he described as known for long bodies, tender meat and fast cooking. He said prices for young rams can reach 1 million dinars (about $700), while larger sheep from other breeds can sell for similar amounts.

Al-Nadawi said Quraishi sheep are relatively inactive and need nearby sources of food and water. He said they rely on fresh alfalfa in winter and yellow corn and barley in summer, but rising feed prices and limited irrigation for alfalfa have made breeding increasingly difficult.

He said drought conditions pushed many breeders toward dry fodder, while another challenge emerged when pregnant ewes began miscarrying after drinking salty well water.

Al-Nadawi said some breeders considered leaving the profession. He said he thought about moving north in search of water and pasture, while others sold off their flocks after barley prices peaked at 1 million dinars per ton following the 2023 drought. He said recent rainfall has led some to reconsider those plans.

Mohammed Ghazi Fahad, head of the animal resources department in Wasit, said the governorate has more than 600,000 sheep, with about 10% in Ahrar. He said areas including Ahrar, Zubaydiyah, Numaniyah and Shahimiyah lead Wasit in flock numbers.