Assessment of Reproductive Efficiency and Herd Dynamics of Local Cattle Breeds in Benadir Region, Somalia

Abstract

Reproductive performance is one of the most important economic traits in beef or dairy production. The majority (60%) of Somalis are pastoral nomads and engage livestock production for livelihood, employment and income. Recurrent droughts and diseases are discouraging the pastoral production systems and forcing some pastoralists and diaspora to adopt small scale dairy production. Measuring the reproductive efficiency of dairy production in Somalia is paramount and deemed necessary. Therefore, an assessment was launched to assess factors that affect reproductive performance and understand the breeding regularity of local cattle breeds in Benadir region. This study was cross sectional and took place from Feb. 2018 to Feb. 2019. The study used both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. A total of 100 respondents were interviewed to collect qualitative data while a total of 2916 cattle were examined to gather quantitative data. The overall estimated means for age at puberty (AP), age at first calving (AFC) and calving interval (CI) was: 37.9 months, 49.2 months, and 19.15 months respectively. The percentage of cows weaned live calf was 57.6%. The average milk yield of local breeds is estimated to be 8 liters per day with average lactation period of 7.7 months. In calves, the average birth weight, weaning weight, maturity weight was 15.22 kg, 156.3 kg, and 310.28 kg respectively. The fertility rate was also measured and it was found that the average conception rate to be 18%, a general fertility of 53.85% , a dystocia rate of 5.6%. Heredity, nutritional stress and diseases appeared to be the main problems causing low reproductive efficiency in the study area. Other challenges in cattle production in the area were low inputs and poor facilities. Therefore, it is recommendable that short trainings and appropriate technology transfer in delivering animal husbandry practice and basic veterinary services to small holder farmers in Benadir region.

Evaluation of breeding objectives, breeding practices and reproductive performance of indigenous dairy cows in selected districts of Kaffa Zone, South West Ethiopia

“…Climatic factors, variety of breeds and management practices were responsible for the inconsistency of age to attain puberty (Agere et al., 2012). Another factor that hinders the development of favourable conditions for puberty is disease (Hassan et al., 2020). B. indicus (indigenous cattle) in the tropics and subtropics are thought to reach puberty between the ages of 16 and 40 months (Tiruneh & Taddie, 2016).…”

“…Another factor that hinders the development of favourable conditions for puberty is disease (Hassan et al, 2020) (2012) 6.46 ± 0.13 for Horro breed, Chali (2014) 7.0 ± 0.2 for Arsi breed. Similarly, current study showed a higher calf yield than three to four calves of average indigenous cow at national level (Galmessa & Fita, 2019).…”

Assessing Reproductive Performance to Establish Benchmarks for Small-Holder Beef Cattle Herds in South Africa

“…Moreover, training of BCS and the importance of supplementation to maintain BCS primarily at the beginning of the breeding season to support pregnancy requirements and post-calving for support of estrus is encouraged [ 55 ]. These interventions may not only assist beef cattle smallholders in SA but other tropical countries such as Somalia, Vietnam, and Indonesia reporting similar results [ 56 , 57 , 58 ].…”

Effect of Seasonal Mating on Calves’ Birth Weights of Mpwapwa Cattle Breed and its Crosses Produced at Tanzania Livestock Research Institute

“…Additionally, fungi effects on the natural ecosystem and pastures were also reported also to reduce pasture biomass yield and quality [31] and therefore create further shortage of pastures for pregnant cattle. Inadequate availability of quality feed resources in the grazing areas between December and January is a major reason for low mean calf birth weight during the June to August calving season [32][33][34]. Moreover, it contributes to livestock illness, mortality cases, low production output and animal productivity [32,35].…”