INCIDENCE OF FETAL WASTAGE IN CATTLE SLAUGHTERED AT THE LAFIA ABATTOIR, NASARAWA STATE
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A total of 23,496 fetuses were wasted within ten year period studied (2015 – 2024). Majority of the fetuses encountered were in 2023 (2,928) followed by 2018 (2,860). The year 2020 had the lowest rate of fetal wastage. Monthly increase at the abattoir, a rise in the months of February, March, November and January 2,030, 2,102, 2,307 and 2,840 respectively with the highest peak in December 3,383 throughout the study period. The highest number of male fetuses condemned was in the year 2021 (3,161) followed by 2023 (2,928) and the lowest was in 2015 (1,003) while the highest female fetuses condemned was in the year 2023 (1,895) followed by 2018 (1,720) and the lowest was in 2015 (493). There had been dearth of information on the level of fetal wastages in slaughtered cattle in Nigeria. The results indicated a high level of slaughtering of pregnant cows in the abattoir studied. There is need to advocate for routine veterinary checks and interventions among trade animals in order to reduce the high level of fetal wastage in the country. It also gave insight to need for strategic planning and decision-making on animal food security in Nasarawa State.
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