Time-series analysis of ruminant foetal wastage at a slaughterhouse in North Central Nigeria between 2001 and 2012

Nma B Alhaji,Umar M Chafe,Issa A Muraina,Aminu Shittu,Folorunso O Fasina,Muhammed S Abubakar,Hu Suk Lee,Joshua Onyango,Ismail A Odetokun

doi:10.4102/ojvr.v82i1.1010

Abstract

In developing countries, foetal wastage from slaughtered ruminants and the associated economic losses appear to be substantial. However, only a limited number of studies have comprehensively evaluated these trends. In the current study, secondary (retrospective) and primary data were collected and evaluated to estimate the prevalence of foetal wastage from cattle, sheep and goats slaughtered at an abattoir in Minna, Nigeria, over a 12-year period (January 2001 – December 2012). Time-series modelling revealed substantial differences in the rate of foetal wastage amongst the slaughtered species, with more lambs having been wasted than calves or kids. Seasonal effects seem to influence rates of foetal wastage and certain months in the year appear to be associated with higher odds of foetal wastage. Improved management systems are suggested to reduce the risk of foetal losses.

Highlights

IntroductionRuminant livestock (cattle, sheep and goats) are a source of food (meat and milk) and are used to produce animal feed, clothing, shelter, weapons, utensils and industrial items (Church 1993)
Ruminant livestock are a source of food and are used to produce animal feed, clothing, shelter, weapons, utensils and industrial items (Church 1993)
The high demand for sources of animal protein has led to practices such as indiscriminate slaughter of young and pregnant female animals, which is seen routinely in some Nigerian abattoirs (Taiwo, Aluko & Olufowobi 2006)

Summary

Introduction

Ruminant livestock (cattle, sheep and goats) are a source of food (meat and milk) and are used to produce animal feed, clothing, shelter, weapons, utensils and industrial items (Church 1993). In Nigeria, the annual consumption of animal protein (meat, milk, eggs and fish) amounts to 8.8 kg/person compared to the global average of 41.9 kg/person (Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO] 2013) Countries such as Australia and the USA consume approximately 111.5 kg/person/year and 120.2 kg/person/year, respectively (FAO 2013). The high demand for sources of animal protein has led to practices such as indiscriminate slaughter of young and pregnant female animals, which is seen routinely in some Nigerian abattoirs (Taiwo, Aluko & Olufowobi 2006) This practice results in wastage of scarce protein available to consumers and a decrease in the livestock growth capacity of the country owing to low herd replacement rates (Cadmus & Adesokan 2010)

Methods

Results

Conclusion