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Conventional mineral licks used in livestock production in tropical Africa, are usually imported, highly expensive and their cost/benefit ratio is often questionable. The broad objective of the study is to survey the production technique, utilization and marketing process of novel mineral licks (toka) in Adamawa State, NorthEastern Nigeria. Fifty (50) household producers of novel mineral licks (toka) were purposively selected for oral interviews, discussions and on-field observations. The results indicate that, ninety percent (90%) of novel mineral licks producers are between the ages of 20 and 50 years. Hundred percent (100%) of the people engaged in the business in the study area are women. Ninety percent (90%) of them are married with eighty percent (80%) of them having attended adult education. They had enough experience in the business with seventy percent (70%) having 5-15 years and all (100%) of them from minority tribes who are mostly Muslims. The common raw materials used for the production of novel mineral licks in Adamawa State include twelve (12) different plants and fifteen (15) different animal parts. The findings show that, novel mineral licks are utilized by livestock and humans in 6 different ways and, there is no elaborate and well developed marketing structure in the study area. The results indicate that, all the producers (100%) are responsible for retailing and selling of their products to earn additional income to augment the family revenue from sale of their annual farm products.

The precarious supply of animal products to Nigerian populace may worsen if livestock production is still based on the use of multipurpose indigenous cattle breeds with genetically low productive potentials. The main objective of this study was to determine the reproductive performance of Zebu cattle in an AI program in The Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Livestock Farm, Adamawa State, NorthEastern Nigeria. Twenty (20) female Zebu cattle comprising heifers and cows were selected at random from the cattle herds, February to March, 2016. The insemination was performed via recto-vaginal technique following estrus synchronization, using prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). The results of the study showed animal age ranging from three (3) to ten (10) years old with parity from 0 to 5. The body condition scores of the animals vary from 2.0 to 2.5 indicating poor nutrition and management practices at the period. There was 100% estrus detection rate since all animals displayed signs of heat and were turned in for insemination. The findings showed a low success rate of 25% with higher failure rate of 75%. It was concluded that, Ayrshire and Brahman crossed Zebu female cattle through AI, though gave low fertility rates at the first attempt, is still the rapid means of improving milk production and reproductive efficiency of the combined adaptability and hardiness of the Zebu cattle (Bos indicus) with the genetically high reproductive and milk yield potentials of the exotic breeds (Bos taurus). There is still room for an in-depth future study of the effects of upgrading indigenous Zebu cattle crossed with exotic bulls to maximize production. This is important in realizing the goal of increasing the production and reproductive efficiency of the indigenous crossbred cattle in the country. This would also ensure sustainable food security in the NorthEast and Nigeria as a whole.

The study observed the characteristics and assessed abnormalities in reproductive tracts of repeat breeders in cattle. Fourty (40) herds were sampled during the study and fifty seven (57) repeat breeders were identified. The animals had normal reproductive tracts with good body condition scores (BCS) ranging from 2.5- 4.5. There was no correlation between the ages and the body condition scores of the repeat breeders (r = -0.4576. Higher number of repeat breeders were found within the ages of 3 -6. Variation within the ages of the repeat breeders were not significantly associated. Physical and behavioral characteristics observed were: crystal clear eyes; appearing more like a castrated bull; physically strong; active; vibrant; alert; stubborn; wild; temperamental; aggressive and difficult to handle; very sensitive to their environment and have a quick idea of the presence of a stranger which they show by having their ears in erect disposition signaling a sign of insecurity and danger. They always appear as superior animals in the herds; and could even be used as draught or pack animals with a very good output. They could yield better meat compared to none repeat breeders in the herds. Thus, most repeat breeders are not sterile, have normal oestrus cycle every 18-24 days but rather suffer from lowered fertility resulting to huge economic waste due to more services; reduced milk yield; wide calving interval and culling rate. It was concluded that repeat breeders suffer from lowered fertility which results into reduced milk yield, wide calving interval and culling rate.