Cattle Owners Research Articles

Cattle violence: the politics and fantasies of cattle ranching in Ghana

ABSTRACT Emerging agro-pastoral policy initiatives aim to mediate farmer–herder conflicts by implementing a ranching policy. The government of Ghana constructed a 272 ha ranch at Wawase. Initially, there was little local opposition, allowing the ranch to be established and to experience a large growth in cattle population. However, the ranch began to experience difficulties. This paper explores why the government’s ranching intervention has not worked, by focusing on how it is being implemented in practice, and the nature of the conflict it generates. The article shows how the development of the ranch manifested as part of the political regime of the New Patriotic Party; the process enhanced the party’s political legitimacy but did not provide pastoralists with enough forage and security. Practices on the ranch have created a new layer of conflicts between cattle owners and ranch management. The article illuminates the practical issues surrounding the establishment of cattle ranches.

A Comprehensive Economic Analysis of Production and Maintenance Cost of Per Milch Animal Buffaloes of Ghazipur District of Uttar Pradesh, India

This study analyzes milk marketing in the Bhanwarkola and Ghazipur Sadar Blocks of Ghazipur District, Uttar Pradesh, focusing on the various channels for selling milk. It categorizes cattle owners, studies demographic patterns, and links these variables to milk marketing methods and efficiency. Using a descriptive and analytical design, the study divides cattle owners into small, medium, and large-scale enterprises. It evaluates demographic data such as age, gender, education, and social categories, as well as a thorough review of milk marketing methods and associated expenses. Data were gathered through biennial personal interviews done on a predetermined timetable, with an emphasis on production costs such as feed, fodder, labor, and animal care. The statistics suggest that the overall average production cost for desi buffaloes is Rs. 50,519.65 and Rs. 56,857.32 for murrah buffaloes, giving policymakers and dairy farmers vital insights into increasing profitability and sustainability.

Socio-Economic Perspective of Milk Producers of District Ghazipur of Uttar Pradesh, India

Socio-economic analysis play crucial role in implementation of any policy. This study, conducted in the Gazipur District of Uttar Pradesh, focuses on the current state of milk production costs. The research employs a descriptive and analytical design, using a survey methodology to categorize cattle owners into small, medium, and large-scale operations based on the number of cattle owned. A total of 10 villages were randomly selected from two blocks, with 150 milk producers chosen for in-depth study from each size category (small, medium, and large). The survey collected data on various demographics, including age, gender, education level, and social categories, as well as detailed information on milk marketing and socioeconomics. Results indicate that out of the 150 respondents, 76 were small-scale farmers, 43 were medium-scale, and 31 were large-scale. The majority of respondents (78%) were male. Economic analysis revealed that small households had an average annual income of Rs. 198,879, medium households Rs. 158,044, and large households Rs. 274,970. Non-farm income was highest for large farms (Rs. 148,140), followed by medium (Rs. 123,024) and small farms. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the economic conditions and marketing practices of milk producers in Gazipur, highlighting key areas for potential improvement and policy intervention.

Seroprevalence of Brucellosis, Knowledge, and Risky Practices in Dairy Cattle Owners and Workers in Maekel and Debub Regions, Eritrea.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution. In Eritrea, the status of the disease in occupationally exposed dairy farmers is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of brucellosis, level of knowledge, and risky practices of dairy cattle owners/workers in Maekel and Debub regions, Eritrea. A cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2021 and February 2022. A total of 416 dairy cattle owners and workers underwent blood collection and interview using a standardized questionnaire. Blood samples were tested using Rose Bengal Plate Test, and positive samples were confirmed using competitive ELISA. Variation in knowledge scores by sociodemographic factors and practices were explored statistically. The apparent and true seroprevalence was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.05-2.8%) and 1.4% (95% CI: 0.6-3.4%), respectively. Apparent seroprevalence was similar in Maekel (1.1%) and Debub (1.2%) regions. Nearly half of the participants (49.5%) had never heard of brucellosis before. Overall, brucellosis knowledge score was low (mean score: 6.53/20). Knowledge score was higher in participants from Maekel region (P <0.001), older participants (P = 0.035), those with higher educational attainment (P = 0.001), and those with more years of experience working in dairy farming (P = 0.001). Knowledge score was lower in farm workers compared with family members (P = 0.016). No significant differences in knowledge score existed between participants who engaged in or did not engage in potential risky practices. In summary, the prevalence of brucellosis in dairy cattle owners/workers in Maekel and Debub regions, Eritrea, was low. Participants demonstrated limited knowledge of brucellosis and engaged in risky practices.

The Swiss Claw Health Project - an interim assessment after 5 years

The Swiss Claw Health Project (SCHP) started on 1 January 2019 and will last a total of 8 years. The main goals of the SCHP are (a) digital recording of claw health data of cattle in Switzerland by 100 professional claw trimmers, (b) development of claw health programs, (c) improvement of cattle claw health in Switzerland, (d) development of breeding values for claw health and (e) reduction of antibiotic use to control claw health problems. Data was collected digitally by 45 hoof trimmers who had previously successfully completed the training program for diagnosis and digital documentation in accordance with the ICAR Claw Health Atlas. The national animal health database was further developed for data storage. Livestock farms with unfavorable claw health were offered an on farm analysis with subsequent annual support visits. A total of 1155 cattle owners joined the project by the end of the 5th project year. The claw health data of 149753 claw trimmings at cow-level was recorded, and 176 individual visits and analyses of farms with claw health issues were carried out. A health program for mechanical and metabolism-related claw disorders was developed and successfully established. Biosecurity measures during claw trimming were analyzed, and a brochure with recommendations for claw trimmers was developed. Risk factors for the occurrence of digital dermatitis in dairy herds were identified. The prevalence of alarm lesions (painful lesions) decreased significantly and continuously in the participating farms over the project years 2 to 4. The scientific project support proved to be extremely useful, as the progress of the project was continuously monitored, and new issues could be addressed promptly. Digitally recorded findings during herd hoof trimming are essential for monitoring and improving claw health. This description and critical assessment of the SKGP procedure can be used by other consortia planning a similar project.

DEMOGRAPHIC TARGETING OF USERS IN MOBILE APPLICATIONS FOR LIVESTOCK DIGITAL MARKETING AMONG SMALLHOLDER CATTLE FARMERS

Several livestock diseases leading to high mortality rates among animals have raised concerns about a potential food crisis in Indonesia. To prevent further spread of these diseases, access to livestock sheds has been restricted. This situation has highlighted the importance of developing alternative marketing channels to facilitate livestock trade. The present study investigates the demographic factors that influence farmers' interest in adopting mobile applications for digital livestock marketing in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The data for this research was collected from a stratified random sample of 968 respondents across four regions. Prior to the interviews, farmers were provided with an introduction and given the opportunity to experience the mobile applications firsthand. The data analysis employed descriptive statistics, non-parametric analysis, and a logistic regression model. The results indicated a significant (p &lt; 0.05) association between variables such as the farmer's age, educational level, women's decision-making power, farming revenue, cattle ownership, farming experience, and interest in using mobile applications for livestock digital marketing. However, no distinction in adoption interest was observed between farmers who were members of agricultural groups and those who were not. These findings have significant methodological implications, as they require independent interviewing among member farmer groups. This study suggests that developers of mobile applications for livestock digital marketing should consider the lack of digital literacy among farmers as a crucial factor influencing their interest in adopting new technologies. Addressing the digital literacy gap could increase the adoption and effective use of these applications within the farming community.

The Tendency of Livestock Growth in Ethiopia: A Review

Ethiopia ranks first in Africa and 5th in the globe in its livestock population. The livestock subsector is immensely contributing about 60-70 % to the population’s livelihood and about 80% of the farmers use animal traction to plough their croplands. This study involved gathering livestock-based data from the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) for the years 2004/05 to 2018/19. Additionally, information on livestock holders was systematically organized and analyzed to track progress over the years. Quantifiable values indicating increases were presented in tables and figures. The relationship between cattle numbers and livestock owners’ growth trends was tested using the Pearson correlation. The findings were further supported or challenged through a comprehensive literature review. The data show that the cattle population grew by 57% in 2018/19 than the number it was at the end of 2004/05 and the number of cattle owners increased by about 53 %. Likewise, the total number of sheep population grew by 82.69 % and their holders by 53%, the total goat heads grew by 162.2% and the camel population by 284%. From the total stock of cattle, 97.92% and 99.72% of sheep and all the goats and camels were identified as indigenous, respectively. The study found a significant and strong correlation (p less than 0.01) between the number of animals used for production and the number of holders. This suggests that the growth in livestock population is primarily due to an increased number of livestock owners, rather than an increase in the number of animals per holder. The work identifies bottlenecks in livestock development and provides insights into growth trends and underlying causes. It highlights opportunities for policy interventions to enhance sustainable livestock production. Further research is recommended on addressing feed and water shortages and evaluating policy and institutional setup effectiveness.

Malaria prevalence and associated population and ecological risk factors among women and children under 5 years in Rwanda

BackgroundMalaria continues to pose a substantial public health concern in Rwanda, despite substantial progress in recent years. Little is known about effect of ecological factors and their interaction in malaria transmission. Understanding the prevalence and identifying risk factors, both population-based and ecological such as zooprophylaxis and irrigation are crucial for targeted intervention strategies. MethodsThis study analyzed the 6th iteration of the Demographic and Health Survey conducted in Rwanda between 2019 and 2020. The study employed a nationally representative sample, utilizing rapid diagnostic tests and blood smear microscopy to determine malaria prevalence among women and under 5 years old children. Logistic regression analysis was used in R version 4.3.1 to evaluate population and ecological risk factors that are associated with malaria prevalence. Additionally, interactive effects of ecological factors on malaria were evaluated. ResultsThe analysis revealed a notable malaria prevalence in Rwanda, emphasizing the continued significance of malaria control efforts. Approximately 1.79 % of the population tested positive for malaria. Proximity to irrigation sites and lowland were identified as significant risk factors to malaria with adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.47(1.00–2.15) and AOR 5.44(4.01–8.61) respectively however cattle ownership exhibited a protective effect AOR 0.41(0.23–0.72). Interactive effects of livestock and irrigation on malaria prevalence were revealed. Additionally, population-based risk factors, including age, household wealth, utilization of Insecticide Treated Nets, were associated with varying malaria risks. ConclusionThis study underscores the persistent challenge of malaria in Rwanda and the importance of tailored intervention strategies. To effectively combat malaria, efforts must consider the interplay of ecological factors, such as high cattle density, and demographic factors, targeting high-risk populations, especially those living in proximity to lowlands and irrigation areas. These findings provide critical insights for advancing malaria elimination efforts in Rwanda and serve as a basis for comprehensive public health planning and action.

Cattle ownership and households’ welfare: Evidence from Southern Africa

Cattle ownership and households’ welfare: Evidence from Southern Africa

A Look at Smallholder Cattle Farming in Payakumbuh, West Sumatra

The existence of smallholder cattle farming in Payakumbuh was studied. The research was conducted to obtain profiles of farmer demographics, cattle farming management, and reproductive performance. A survey was conducted in five sub-districts in Payakumbuh by interviewing 50 cattle farmers and conducting direct field observation. Smallholder farmers in Payakumbuh are typically an average of 45.02 years old, commonly senior high school graduates, occupied in the agricultural field with their own cattle ownership, experienced for 18.1 years, involved in cattle farming for additional income, and commonly focused on Simental crossbred raising. Cattle management was mainly categorized as good, as represented by feeding management (application of routine forage and concentrate, twice daily feeding frequency, and ad libitum drinking water), rearing (intensive rearing and natural weaning), housing (permanent housing structures, individual housing systems, and draw well water sources), and health (regular deworming). Reproductive performance (20.4 months age at first mating, 1.55 service per conception, 14.63-month calving interval, and 3.96 months for re-mating after calving) is also close to the ideal standard. To sum up, the presence of smallholder farmers is significant and could serve as a reference for farmers in other areas of West Sumatra. Enhancing applied technology is necessary to upgrade their cattle farming scale.

Factors with significance on vandalism of on-farm infrastructure at the Musekwa Valley, Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

In some parts of the Vhembe District in Limpopo Province of South Africa, vandalism is becoming a serious problem, and solutions are not easy to find. Vandalism has had a variety of negative impacts on livestock farmers. A few studies have studied the concept of vandalism, but studies employing empirical models to determine the factors that are of significance to vandalism are conspicuously rare, if not absent. This paper investigated factors of significance to on-farm infrastructural vandalism in the Musekwa Valley of the Vhembe District, Limpopo Province. The study used a mixed method approach and collected data using a cross-cultural semi structured questionnaire instrument translated from English into the native Tshivenda. Data were collected from fifty-five (n=55) purposively selected primary participants who were interviewed using face to face approach. Additional data were collected through key informant interviews administered on purposively selected key informants (n = 4), focus group discussions were done, and transect walks were employed for observation purposes. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to the data, and the following factors emerged as significant to vandalism: age, gender, education level, ownership of cattle, exposure to information, household expenditure, and reporting of incidents of vandalism to authorities. It is recommended that a community-based approach is adopted to find solutions to the problem of vandalism, to avoid a top-down approach that residents might undermine.

OVERVIEW OF THE APPLICATION OF ANIMAL WELFARE IN BALI CATTLE FARMS IN THE HIGHLANDS AND LOWLANDS IN GIANYAR REGENCY OF BALI

Increased demand for beef requires optimisation of animal husbandry, which in turn leads to improved management of livestock production. This situation must be balanced with the application of animal welfare principles, where a prosperous livestock situation will support optimal production. Geographical differences are one of the factors that determine the knowledge of farmers and the implementation of animal husbandry management. This study aims to determine the description of the application of animal welfare in Balinese cattle farms in the highlands located in Puhu Village and and lowlands located in Pering Village, Gianyar Regency. An observational design was conducted, data collection was done by directly interviewing Balinese cattle owners with the guidance of a set of questionnaires. Data were tabulated and then analysed qualitatively and presented in tabular form. To differentiate the application of animal welfare in the two research locations, the Mann Whitney test was conducted. The application of animal welfare on Bali cattle farms in the highlands, was in the category of less than 5%, sufficient 50%, and good 45.0%; while in the lowlands, it was in the sufficient category with a percentage of 45.5%, and the good category 54.5%. No significant differences were found in the animal welfare principles in the two sample villages. Farmers are expected to further improve their knowledge and application of animal welfare principles to increase livestock productivity.

Feeding cattle under suboptimal conditions in Kenya: From emphasising technical (non-)adoption to stimulating adaptive performance

In the climate-development interface, research for development gained a strong interest in climate-smart agriculture and sustainable forms of intensification. Moreover, the urgency to respond to climate change stimulates a strong and sometimes exclusive focus on mitigation, driven by research-based agricultural practices. In the livestock sector, this materialises in strategies to lower emissions from livestock, which centralises the adoption question: what can we do to stimulate the use of best practices by smallholder farmers? This paper flags the risk that this outlook may overlooksmallholder farmers' capacities to navigate sub-optimal conditions of drought or scarcity. The paper applies an alternative lens for understanding ‘agriculture-as-performance’ and highlights smallholder cattle owners’ agency and resourcefulness. It aims to create a conceptual space to examine how adaptive capacities are grounded in the rhythms of agriculture under suboptimal conditions. Empirically, the study focuses on the cattle-feeding practices of five farming households evolving through seasons and lifetimes in a sedentary agricultural system in Kenya. Our frame identifies diverse affordances, conceptualised as opportunities for actions, emerging and disappearing in the immediate material environment, and we portray cattle feeding as a networked response anchored in practices of giving, sharing, and receiving. We use our insights into the dynamics and performance of entangled socio-technical practices to sketch the contours of an alternative pathway for agriculture for development. We argue in favour of a shift from an exclusive focus on the adoption of predefined optimal solutions to a diagnostic and catalytic approach integrating situated adaptive performances through which farming households respond to action opportunities.

Technological Acceptance of Cattle Farmers in Mobile Applications for Livestock Digital Marketing

The farmers have encountered challenges in conducting livestock trade due to the absence of dealer activity caused by Anthrax and Foot Mouth Disease (FMD) epidemics. In this context, it is crucial to utilize technology in livestock marketing to obtain current market information from distant marketplaces and reduce the risk of contagion. To meet these purposes, a mobile phone application has been developed in order to be used by cattle farmers; after that, market testing has been conducted to gain feedback and determine the segmentation. Thus, the study aimed to examine the differences in the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and social impact amongst farmers who are willing and unwilling to embrace a mobile phone application for digital marketing. A total of 968 cattle farmers were surveyed with stratified random sampling techniques in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The data obtained were analyzed using mean difference inferential analysis. The result showed that farmers with various categories of age, education, farm revenue, farmers group, farmer experience, cattle ownership, and regions have significantly different (p&lt;0.01) perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PE), and social influence (SI) on mobile applications for livestock digital marketing. Furthermore, farmers willing to adopt mobile application have significantly higher (p&lt;0.01) PU, PE, and SI factors. This study recommends mobile app developers evaluate potential user needs and background factors that may influence farmers' interest.

Addressing Fecal Contamination in Rural Kenyan Households: The Roles of Environmental Interventions and Animal Ownership.

Combined water, sanitation, and handwashing (WSH) interventions could reduce fecal contamination along more transmission pathways than single interventions alone. We measured Escherichia coli levels in 3909 drinking water samples, 2691 child hand rinses, and 2422 toy ball rinses collected from households enrolled in a 2-year cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluating single and combined WSH interventions. Water treatment with chlorine reduced E. coli in drinking water. A combined WSH intervention improved water quality by the same magnitude but did not affect E. coli levels on hands or toys. One potential explanation for the limited impact of the sanitation intervention (upgraded latrines) is failure to address dog and livestock fecal contamination. Small ruminant (goat or sheep) ownership was associated with increased E. coli levels in stored water and on child hands. Cattle and poultry ownership was protective against child stunting, and domesticated animal ownership was not associated with child diarrhea. Our findings do not support restricting household animal ownership to prevent child diarrheal disease or stunting but do support calls for WSH infrastructure that can more effectively reduce household fecal contamination.

Technological frontier in Uruguay's beef cattle production: An analysis of technical efficiency and its main drivers

AbstractGlobally, livestock grazing is a major land occupier and is often criticized for its environmental impact. To address these concerns, enhancing livestock productivity is crucial to mitigate these impacts, boost farm competitiveness, and increase food production. The understanding of production variability is key to this endeavor. This paper assesses the technical efficiency of cow‐calf beef production units in Uruguay, excluding dairy and feedlot operations. Using data from the 2016 National Livestock Survey and Wang's frontier model, we estimate a translog stochastic production frontier, incorporating bovine livestock units, land area, and equivalent working units as key inputs. This model also controls soil productivity, improved grazing areas, productive orientation (beef‐cattle systems or beef cattle‐ovine mixed systems), beef production system (cow‐calf, full cycle, and fattening operation), access to electric power, and agroecological regions. Furthermore, it explores factors affecting technical inefficiency, such as ownership (individual, corporate without contract, and corporate with contract) and land tenure types (owner, tenant, or other types), besides the presence of third‐party owned cattle, technical assistance (including veterinarian and agronomic), and specific beef cattle technologies (such as continuous bull presence, artificial insemination, ovarian activity diagnosis, pregnancy diagnosis, use of scales for classifying females, temporary and early weaning, and cows and heifers grazing together). Findings indicate an average technical efficiency of 71.3%. Notably, factors such as agronomic and veterinary assistance, artificial insemination, weaning practices, third‐party‐owned cattle presence, pregnancy diagnosis, land tenure, and ownership type significantly impact technical efficiency. Our findings suggest that within the specific segment of cow‐calf operations in Uruguay, there is a potential to enhance beef production by 40.2% through improvements in farm management. [EconLit Citations: Q12, D24].

92 Factors influencing bull selection in Illinois beef producers: Analysis of retained and non-retained ownership producers

Abstract The objective was to understand decision-making factors for bull selection of producers participating in the Illinois Performance Tested (IPT) bull sale. The IPT bull sale has served Illinois beef producers for the last 54 yr offering around 50 bulls annually. A comprehensive survey targeted a diverse group of beef producers that had previously attended the IPT bull sale. The survey was developed through Qualtrics and provided to producers via email. The survey consisted of 40 questions based on four categories: farm location, herd demographics, bull selection criteria, and feedback from previous experiences at the IPT bull sale. There were a variety of question types including multiple choice, select all that apply, open-ended, ranking of importance, and select on a scale from one to ten. Specific responses on bull selection criteria focused on expected progeny differences and functional traits. Survey results were grouped based on whether producers retained ownership of feedlot cattle; regularly retained ownership (RET; n = 12) and never retained ownership (NRET; n = 15). Data were analyzed with the MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures of SAS 9.4. For RET and NRET producers, there were no observed differences in mature cow body weight and herd size (P ≥ 0.42). Most producers responded that they calved in March and April. Producer groups did not differ (P = 0.99) in the percentage of respondents retaining replacement heifers, as 66% of RET and NRET producers retained replacements. However, RET producers tended to be more likely (P = 0.07) to regularly sell freezer beef. Specifically, 75% of RET producers regularly sell freezer beef compared with 13% of NRET producers. Additionally, RET producers tended to prioritize (P = 0.1) carcass trait expected progeny differences in bull selection more than NRET producers (66 vs 33%, respectively). There was no difference (P = 0.2) in the percentage of respondents that selected the weaning weight expected progeny difference in their top three traits. However, NRET producers were much more likely (P &amp;lt; 0.01) to prioritize yearling weight expected progeny difference in their bull selection decisions. Specifically, 66% of RET producers used yearling weight expected progeny difference in their bull selection compared with 0% of NRET producers. Lastly, there was no difference (P = 0.61) in the percentage of respondents who included docility in their top three functional traits. In conclusion, bull buyers at the IPT bull sale that regularly retain ownership of feedlot cattle were more likely to prioritize expected progeny differences for yearling weight and carcass traits while functional traits priorities were similar to producers that did not retain ownership of feedlot cattle.

Factors Associated with the Prevalence of Bovine Tuberculosis in the Kafue Basin of Zambia

Worldwide, bovine tuberculosis is most common in agricultural regions of Central and South America, Sub-Saharan Africa and South-Western Asia. Bovine tuberculosis was reported to be endemic in the Zambian traditional cattle sector with a high herd prevalence of 49.8% recorded from areas within, and adjacent to the Kafue Basin as far back as 1995. An analytical cross sectional study design was applied to a sample size of 384 selected cattle owners in the Kafue Basin. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the cattle owners who were randomly selected. The data was analyzed using STATA Version 15 Software. The results from the study showed that 54% of the cattle owners experienced bovine tuberculosis among their cattle while 46% did not experience bovine tuberculosis. The prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in cattle was higher among the male cattle owners (76%) compared to female cattle owners (24%). There was a significant relationship of p value &amp;lt; 0.029 between level of knowledge of cattle owners and the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis. Unemployed cattle owners had higher odds of experiencing bovine tuberculosis among their cattle (OR 3.488; 95% CI 1.341-9.067) and the relationship was statistically significant at p value &amp;lt; 0.010. There was equally a significant relationship of p value &amp;lt; 0.042 between vaccination status of animals and the occurrence of bovine tuberculosis. The study showed that the majority of cattle owners lacked awareness and had a lower level of understanding of the disease and its public health significance. Therefore, the implications of the study suggest the creation of disease control programs that will ensure regular herd testing for bovine tuberculosis, routine vaccinations of animals, deliberate quarantine of infected animals as well as community health education about transmission, control and prevention of the disease.

Occurrence of haemoparasites in cattle from three selected abattoirs in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Haemoparasites infestation in cattle cause significant economic loss due to morbidity and mortality and pose a major threat to food security, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This research aimed at determining the prevalence of haemoparasites in cattle from three selected abattoirs in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. Blood samples were collected via jugular vein ligation into an Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) bottle and examined for haemoparasites using standard laboratory techniques, after consent was obtained from cattle owners. Blood parasites detected were identified using keys. An overall prevalence of 21.31% was recorded; with 13 out of 61 samples examined being infected. Thirteen (13) male cattle were examined, out of which 4(30.77%) were infected; while, 9(18.75%) out of the 48 female cattle examined were infected. Although the males recorded a higher prevalence of infection than the females, the difference in prevalence between the sexes was not significant (P&gt;0.05). Two tick-borne haemoparasites, namely Babesia sp. and Theileria sp. were recorded. Babesia sp. was found in 6(9.84%) while 11(18.03%) of Theileria were recorded (P&lt;0.05). Abattoir-based prevalence indicated that of the 27 cattle examined in Aluu abattoir, 4(14.81%) were infected. Out of the 15 cattle examined in Choba abattoir, 3(20.00%) were infected; while of the 19 samples examined in Rumuosi abattoir, 6(31.58%) were infected. There was no significant association between the prevalence of infection and abattoirs sampled (P&gt;0.05). High prevalence of haemoparasites indicates a potential risk of zoonosis among the population. Advanced studies on the disease’s epidemiology are needed for effective investigation and control strategies.

Potensi Reproduksi Induk Ternak Sapi Bali pada Sistem Peternakan Rakyat di Kecamatan Taniwel Timur Kabupaten Seram Bagian Barat

The reproductive performance of female Bali cattle is one of the important factors that needs to be known in supporting the efficiency of beef cattle breeding programs so that mothers can produce calves every year. This research aims to determine the characteristics of the reproductive potential of Bali cattle in the community farming system in East Taniwel District, West Seram Regency. The research location was determined purposively, selecting 6 sample villages from 15 villages in East Taniwel District, West Seram Regency based on the criteria of having the largest number of Balinese cattle. These villages are Sohuwe Village, Maloang Village, Matapa Village, Lumalatal Village, Sekasale Village and Hatunuru Village. The research was conducted for 1 month from August to September 2023. Respondents were determined using a purposive sampling method based on the presence of the highest number of cattle population per sample village and the highest level of Balinese cattle ownership with the criteria of having kept cattle for at least 3 years, had given birth and had carried out marketing. Farmer respondents were taken 10 respondents per sample village, so that 60 respondents were obtained. Data on the general condition of the research location, respondent characteristics, business characteristics, population structure and reproductive potential were analyzed using simple statistical calculations and studied descriptively. The research results show that the structure of the livestock population is dominated by the presence of female livestock at adult age, heifers and calves. The reproductive potential obtained is the age at first mating 18.16 ± 1.40 months; pregnancy rate 84.96%; and a birth rate of 99.43% with pre-weaning child mortality of 8.4%.