Animal Reproductive Management Practeices of Fulanipastoralists in the Humid Rainforest of Imo State, Nigeria
Journal Title: Journal of Animal Science Advances - Year 2012, Vol 2, Issue 2
Abstract
Pastoralist communities in Nigeria are increasingly moving and settling southwards in the humid tropical rainforests in response to changing environment. This creates conflicts and threatens pastoral access to shared natural resources, thus, impacting on the sustainability and future of pastoralism. To appropriately capture all contending issues, there is the need to properly understand various pastoral practices in the zone. In this study, the reproductive management practices of Fulani pastoralists in the humid rainforest of Imo state, Nigeria was investigated in order to generate research clues needed for the development of policies and intervention strategies for natural resources utilization in the zone. Data were generated with the aid of questionnaires, personal interviews and field observations. Out of the 50 questionnaires distributed, 22 were completed and returned. Information generated revealed that most Fulani pastoralists in the study area were male aged between 20 and 40 years, with limited or no western education. They rear mainly cattle, which they inherited for the purpose of 100% breeding and dual purpose (milk and meat production). More than 77% of their herd was White Fulani breed of cattle. There was little or no interest in controlled mating resulting in 100% free pasture mating and more than 75% uncontrolled breeding. It was observed that a bull to cow sex ratio of 1:9 was rampart (68%), with more than 86% of the respondents mating their heifers for the first time at between 21 and 30 months of age and 100% mating their bulls between 11 and 20 months. There is the need for the adaptation of reproductive management of the White Fulani cattle reared in the zone to rational resource utilization, conservation and improved management programs that will eliminate conflicts.
Authors and Affiliations
I. C Okoli, N. C Enyinnia, A. G Elijah, A. A Omede , . I Unamba-Opara C
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP161008
- DOI -
- Views 144
- Downloads 0
Perception, Impact and Adaptation to Climate Change: An Analysis of Livestock System in Nepal
The study aimed to assess the livestock holder‟s perception to climate change and its impact and adaptation strategies on the livestock sector of Nepal. Altogether 240 households, 60 from each agro ecological zone, were...
Isolation of Bordetella Bronchiseptica from Pigs in North East India
The causes of mortality among pigs and piglets suffering from bronchopneumonia with bleed and curvature of turbinate bone were investigated from an organized piggery in Meghalaya, India. Out of 90 pigs maintained at the...
Effect of Harvesting Gliricidia Sepium at Different Cutting Frequencies on Quantity and Quality of Herbage Biomass for Dairy Cattle Nutrition
Herbage quantity and quality response of Gliricidia sepium to pruning intervals (1.0 to 6.0 months) was evaluated. Chemical composition of coppice re-growth was estimated and herbage was incubated in three rumen fistulat...
Molecular Typing of Clostridium perfringens Isolated from Diarrhoeic Cattle
Diarrhoea is the outward sign of a gut abnormality both in animal and human and should always be treated as potentially serious. Present research investigation was carried out to identify the prevalent genotypes of Clost...
Lethal Influence of Zinc Exposure to Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822, Pisces, Clariidae)
Acute toxicity of zinc (ZnSO4.7H2O) on Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822) was investigated using toxicity scale of 96hrLC50 values and the quantal response determined by the statistical Probit Analysis Method. Fish spec...