Incidence of foetal wastage and economic implication on national herd replacement: A case study of Lafenwa Municipal Abattoir Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

One year prospective study was carried out in Lafenwa municipal Abattoir to determine the incidence of foetal  wastage and its economic implication. Of the 39776 cows slaughtered, 4115 (10.35%) were pregnant. The wastage reduces national herd replacement through birth by 113045 (0.7%) cattle per annum. The financial loss is  estimated at A2,766,432,528  (US$18,442,883.52). Season of the year does not significantly affect rate of foetal loss in the abattoir, though losses was higher during late raining season between September and November. With this finding, it is imperative for the government to empower the meat inspector to carry out efficient ante mortem meat inspection and enforcement of law that prohibit slaughtering of healthy pregnant animals. Likewise, livestock owners should be educated on the economic implications of selling pregnant animals.

Keywords: Foetal Wastage, Abattoir, Herd replacement, Nigeria