Abstract
The study was conducted to evaluate the volume of pregnant cows slaughtered at Minna abattoir, Niger State, Nigeria between 2001 and 2009 based on abattoir meat inspection records. Of the 98,407 cows slaughtered, 4,368 were pregnant, translating to a ratio of one calf foetal wastage in every 23 cows slaughtered. The wastage was significantly (P < 0.05) high during the early rainy season (April to June). There was no significant difference observed across the years. The economic impact of the wastage is estimated at N8, 353,800.00 ($56,828.57) which is a great loss to the livestock industry. With these findings, there is the need to advocate for adequate enforcement of legislations on routine veterinary examinations at the slaughter houses in Nigeria. Also, livestock owners should be educated on the seasonal breeding patterns of cattle in order to avoid selling cows during the calving season to salvage high level of calf foetal wastage.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abdulkadir, U., Jiya, E.Z., and Kosu, S.A. 2008. Survey of foetal wastage: a case study of Markurdi abattoir in Benue State from 1997 to 2002, Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 7(3), 450–452
Cadmus, S.I. and Adesokan, H.K. 2010. Bovine foetal wastage in Southwestern Nigeria: a survey of some abattoirs, Tropical Animal Health and Production, 42(4), 617–621
CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) 2009. Foreign exchange rates of 10/6/2009. http://www.cenbank.org/rates/exrate.asp. Accessed on 21 Nov 2009
Diskin, M.G. and Morris, D.G., 2008. Embryonic and early foetal losses in cattle and other ruminant, Journal of Reproductive Domestic Animals, 42 (2), 260–267
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), 2006. State of world food insecurity, FAO, Rome, Italy, pp 67
Idahor, K.O., Omeje, J.N., Agu, V.E., Audi, P., David, S.R. and Luka, B.D., 2009. Awareness of foetal losses from ruminants slaughtered at Lafia abattoir, Journal of Life Physical Sciences, 3, 44–48
Kreikermeie, K.K.; Ferrel, C.L. and Walker, C.E. 1993. Performance characteristics of beef quality of pregnant and non-pregnant heifers, Journal of Animal Science, 71, 76–78
Laddis, P.W., Summers, P.M., and Humphrey, J.D., 1975. Pregnancy in slaughtered cows in North-Eastern Australia: incidence and relationship to pregnancy diagnosis, season, age and carcass weight, Australian Veterinary Journal, 51(10), 472–477
Mohammed, I.R., Ashiru, R. And Abdullahi, A.Y. 2007. Implications of slaughtered of pregnant ewes and does to stock in the semi-arid and urban abattoir. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6, 819–822
Ndi, C., N.E. Tambi and N.W. Agharih, 1993. Reducing calf wastage from slaughtering of pregnant cows in Cameroon. http://www.fao.org/documents/art_dett.asp?lang=en&art_id=54949. Accessed on 11 Dec 2009
Nwakpu, P.E. and Ugwu. I.C. 2004. Contribution of pork to meat supply in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Proceedings of the 9th Annual Conference of Animal Science Association of Nigeria, Abakaliki, Nigeria, pp 189–217
Nwakpu, P.E. and Osakwe, I.I. 2007. Trends in volume and magnitude of foetal waste of slaughter animals (2000–2005) in Ebonyi State of Nigeria, Research Journal of Animal Science, 1 (1), 30–35
Oyekunle, M.A., Olubanjo, O.O. and Fasima, O.E. 1992. Foetal wastage in abattoirs and its implication: Solution report from Ogun State, Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 19, 57–63
Putt, S.N.H., Shaw, A.P.M., Woods, A.J., Tyler, L. and James, A.D. 1987. Veterinary epidemiology and economics in Africa; a manual for use in the design and appraisal livestock health policy. ILCA Manual No. 3 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 23–24
Steel, R.G.D. and Torrie, J.H. 1980. Principles and procedures of statistics. McGraw-Hill Book Coy. New York, USA
Tchoumboue, J. 1984. Calves lost through pregnant cows slaughtering: a particular case in Yaoundé abattoir, Cameroon, Review Elevege Medecine Veterinaire Pays Tropicaux, 37 (1), 70–72
Thrusfield, M. 1995. Veterinary epidemiology, 2nd Ed., University of Edinburgh, Blackwell Science, UK
Wythes, J.R., Shorthose, W.R.; Fordyce, G. and Underwood, D.W. 1990. Pregnant effects on the carcass and meat quality attributes of cows, Journal of Animal Production, 51, 461–468
Wosu, L.O. 1988. Calf wastage through slaughtering of pregnant cows in Enugu abattoir (Nigeria), Review Elevege Medecine Veterinaire Pays Tropicaux, 41, 97–98
Acknowledgement
The author would like to thank all the staff of the Niger State Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Development attached to Minna abattoir for providing data used in this research survey.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Alhaji, N.B. Prevalence and economic implications of calf foetal wastage in an abattoir in Northcentral Nigeria. Trop Anim Health Prod 43, 587–590 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9735-7
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-010-9735-7