Retrospective study on small ruminants losses in a farm of Namibia

Abstract

Losses of goats (Boer and Kalahari Red) and sheep (Karakul, Damara and Dorper) reared at Neudamm farm (University of Namibia) were studied retrospectively from March 2002 to December 2015. Significantly (P<0.05) higher proportion of males (29.5±11.6%) than females (16.5±5.8%) were lost during this period. The mean annual loss of immature small ruminants (28.3%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the loss of mature animals (14.8%). These small ruminant losses cost the establishment US$ 161280.00 of which 37.5%, 33.3%, 16.8%, 9.1% and 3.3% were due to losses of Boer, Karakul, Dorper, Damara and Kalahari Red, respectively. Predations, infections, thefts, unknown causes and toxic plants were responsible for 38.8, 22.8, 12.1, 10.8 and 8.7% of revenue lost, respectively. Trauma, cold exposure, bloat, dystocia, starvation and snake bites contributed to 6.8% of the total losses. Overall, the months of March, June, September and December were responsible for 24.9, 18.7, 17.6 and 16.3% of the total losses, respectively. Significantly (P<0.05) higher losses were experienced in 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014 and 2015. The possible predisposing factors responsible for such higher losses were farm location, adverse climatic conditions, lack of vermin/theft-proof paddocks and inadequate veterinary care.