Major animal health problems of market oriented livestock development in Fogera woreda

This study was carried out in Fogera Woreda of the Amhara Regional State with the objective of characterizing the livestock production system and investigating the major livestock health problems in the area. A simple random sampling method was used to select 80 households for the study. A structured questionnaire was prepared and the heads of selected households were interviewed to collect data on production system characteristics and the importance of livestock health problems. In addition, there was also a participatory discussion with group of farmers to work out disease trend and identify constraints. Clinical cases of livestock diseases appearing in the Woreda Veterinary Clinic were also examined and recorded. The average family size, land holding and livestock herd size in this study were 5.58 persons, 2.96 ha, and 46.59 heads,respectively. Mixed crop-livestock production system is the predominant system in the area. The livestock herd was dominated by cattle and sheep while the cattle herd was dominated by oxen and cows. The role of cattle in the farming system is as a source of traction power to the crop production while small ruminants were used as a source of income. Equines were used as pack and transport animals. The livestock feeding practice was mainly based on farm feed resources (crop residues and natural pasture). About 43.75% provided housing for livestock while the rest keep their animals in the open. Uncontrolled natural mating was used by 68.75% of the farmers while 20% used controlled natural mating and 11.25% used AI. Trypanosomosis, fasciolosis, gastro-intestinal helminthes and calf diarrhea were the most important diseases of cattle. Respiratory problems were most important in small ruminants. PPR like disease and mange were common in goats while fascilosis and other gastro-intestinal helminthes were important in sheep, respectively. Colic, wound and respiratory disease complex were considered as important in donkeys. Modern veterinary medicaments were known and used by most of the farmers, but traditional medicines were also used to a significant extent.