PRODUCTION DYNAMICS AND GROWTH RATES OF LIVESTOCK IN THE DERIVED SAVANNAH OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Several works have been done on the settlement of Fulanis in the derived savannah of
Oyo State, but none has really considered the dearth of information on the livestock
dynamics in this zone which this study focuses on. Attempts were made to determine the
growth potential of the cattle herds and stability of herds ~ o w t hin the study area.
Primary data were collected from 63 agropastoralists; 29 in Oyo, 16 in Ogbomosho and 18
in Saki, on the necessary information needed for this study. .The data collected were
analysed using simulation model.
Results showed that the herd structure and composition are cIearly representative of dairy
herds. The potential herd growth rate (Rq of the study area observed to be 2.4% is an
indication of a steady growth of 6 animals per year. Suggestion for further improve-ment
of herds includes the provision of sufficient grazing land for communal and/or
commercial grazing, and the education of farmers on benefits associated with the
production of crop residues favoured by cattle.