Performance assessment of sedentary pastoral managed cattle in Yewa-Awori Axis, Ogun state, Nigeria

Abstract

Performance assessment of sedentary pastoral managed cattle in Yewa Awori Axis,
Ogun state, Nigeria was studied with 125 sedentary pastoralists in 5 Local
Government Areas (Ado Odo/Ota, Ipokia, Imeko Afon, Yewa South and Yewa North)
of Yewa Awori, Ogun State Nigeria. Direct observation and survey methods were
used with the aid of structured questionnaires.Results show that 56% were within the
activeage of 31-45 years old.Male, female, Muslim and married sedentary
pastoralists were 95%, 5%, 100% and 80% respectively. The 52% and 48% had non
formal education and First School Leaving Certificate, 6-10 years (32%) was the
highestoccupational experience and crop farming (80%)was additional occupation.
The 88% of the sedentary pastoralist reared cattle alone while 12% combined sheep
and cattle together.White Fulani (Bunaji) is the common breed (44%), followed by
N'Dama breed (28%). Sokoto Gudali and Black Bororo (8%) breeds of cattle were
not common. Forages recorded highest (68.80%) feed resources, 79.20% involved in
ethno veterinary and 56.00% sold the animal at farmgate. Milk off take (lit./day),
lactating length (mth), pregnancy rate (%), calving rate (%), calving interval (mth),
st
age at 1 calving (mth) and weaned calf crop (%) were 9.92, 4.84, 72.86, 63.86, 1.31,
st 7.78 and 63.44 respectively. Moreso, calf mortality in the 1 week of life, mortality
st st between the 1 week of life and mortality between weaning and 1 year were 1.4, 0.12,
0.10, and 2.86 respectively. The majority (71.43%) of the respondents reported that
calf mortality has no definite time while 28.57% agreed that calf mortality can occur
at any time of the year. Conclusively, sedentary pastoral management of cattle has a
great potential forcattle production in South West, Nigeria