FOETAL WASTAGES IN RUMINANT ANIMALS IN JOS NORTH MAIN ABATTOIR, PLATEAU STATE NIGERIA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

There had been a dearth of information on the level of fetal wastages in slaughtered ruminants and the associated economic losses in West African countries other than Nigeria; this study evaluates the level of fetal wastages in cows and does slaughtered at Jos main abattoir, Plateau State, Nigeria. A total of 12,377 foetuses for both animals were wasted within six years studied (2015 – 2020). Most of the foetuses encountered in cows were in 2016 (1,012) followed by 2017(1,004). The year 2018 (764) had the lowest rate of fetal wastage, while in doe the highest fetal wastage recorded was in 2015 (1,452), followed by 2018 (1,214) and the year 2020 (1,021) had the least. Monthly fetal wastage increases in cows at the abattoir were in the months of March, February, April, and December, in which fetal wastage was 2923, 2 956, 2 960, and 3023, respectively, with the highest peak in January 3103 throughout the study period. The early rainy season (February- May) had the highest rate of fetal wastage, as well as the late dry season (December - January). More so in goats, monthly fetal wastage increases at the abattoir were the months of July, January, August, and September, in which fetal wastage was 8131, 8219, 8236, and 8262, respectively, with the highest peak in October 8293 throughout the study period. The results indicated a high level of slaughtering of pregnant cows in the abattoir studied. Therefore, concerted efforts like routine veterinary checks and interventions among trade animals are needed to reduce the high level of fetal wastage in the country. Also, livestock owners should be educated on the seasonal breeding patterns of cattle to avoid selling cows during the calving season