Studies on indigenous cattle under traditional management: 3. reproductive performance
1992
Ogaa, J.S. (University of Zimbabwe, Harare (Zimbabwe). Faculty of Veterinary Science) | Moyo, P. (Dept. of Veterinary Services, Bulawayo (Zimbabwe). Provincial Veterinary Office)
A study of the reproductive performance of communal farming area cattle was carried out on a sentinel herd of 50 mashona cows and heifers in Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe. The calving pattern was monitored for two years. Between January and December 1990, twice weekly sampling for plasma progesterone and once monthly rectal examinations were carried out to monitor ovarian and uterine states. Likewise body condition was scored regularly every month. There was a high monthly rate of acyclicity ?(51.1-67.4) amongst the cattle. Those animals which were anoestrus had very poor body condition scores as compared to the cyclic and pregnant animals. Despite the overall poor body condition animals became pregnant, calving occurred throughout the year with a tendency to peak in October during 1989 but this was not repeated the following year. The mean calving percentage was 43.3. The high rate of poor body condition and ovarian inactivity are attributed to undernutrition and phosphorus deficiency. It is suggested that further studies be undertaken to elucidate the role and scope of feed supplementation in communal area cattle
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