Abstract
A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 randomly selected smallholder farms from a mixed dairy farming system in Tanga, Tanzania, between January and April 1999. We estimated the frequency and determinants of long calving interval (LCI), retention of fetal membrane (RFM), dystocia, and abortion in smallholder crossbred cattle and explored birth trends. The mean calving interval was 500 days and birth rate was 65 per 100 cow-years. Dystocia was reported to affect 58% of calvings, and 17.2% of animals suffered RFM. Using mixed effect models, the variables associated with LCI, RFM and dystocia were breed, level of exotic blood and condition score. Zebu breeding was associated with LCI (odds ratio (OR) = 2.3, p = 0.041) and Friesian breeding with lower odds for RF (OR = 0.26, p = 0.020). Animals with higher levels of exotic blood had lower odds for evidence of dystocia (OR = 0.45, p =0.021). Evidence of dystocia was significantly associated with poor condition score (P = −1.10, p = 0.001). Our observations suggest that LCIs are common in smallholder dairy farms in this region and a likely source of economic loss. Dystocia, RFM, poor condition score and mineral deficiency were common problems and were possibly linked to LCI.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Abbreviations
- A:
-
abortion
- AEZ:
-
agroecological zone
- BR:
-
birth rate
- D:
-
dystocia
- LCI:
-
long calving interval
- OR:
-
odds ratio
- RFM:
-
retention of fetal membrane
- TDDP:
-
Tanga Dairy Development Programme
References
Aeberhard, K., Bruckmaier, R. and Blum, J., 1997. High producing cows in Switzerland. Agrafor, 4, 277–280
Agyemang, K. and Nkhonjera, L.P., 1990. Productivity of crossbred cattle in smallholder farms in Southern Malawi. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 22, 9–16
Blood, D.C., Radostitis, O.M. and Gay, C.C., 1997. Veterinary Medicine. Textbook of the Disease of Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Pigs and Horses, 8th edn, (WB Saunders, St Louis, MO, USA)
Elbs Bott, K. and Distl, O., 1994. Commercial crossbreeding of German brown with Blonde d'Aquitaine and German Simmental. 2. Influence of dystocia and sire breed on fertility, milk-production and survival in the consecutive lactation. Zuchtungskunde, 66, 124–135
Bruun, J., Ersboll, A.K. and Alban, L., 2002. Risk factors for metritis in Danish dairy cows. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 54, 179–190
De Wolf, Y., 1993. Annual Report, (Kagera Livestock Development Programme, Kagera, Tanzania)
Dohmen, M.J.W., Joop, K., Sturk, A., Bols, P.E.J. and Lohuis, J.A.C.M., 2000. Relationship between intra- uterine bacterial contamination, endotoxin levels and the development of endometritis in postpartum cows with dystocia or retained placenta. Theriogenology, 54, 1019–1032
Donald, R., 1985. Smallholder dairy survey in selected districts in Tanzania. In: Proceedings of the 12nd Scientific Conference of the Society of Animal Production, vol. 12, 98–105
FAO, 1989. Livestock Development in Arusha/Kilimanjaro Area in Tanzania, (FAO/Finland Cooperative Programme)
French, N.P., Tyrer, J. and Hirst, W.M., 2001. Smallholder dairy farming in theChikwakwa communal land, Zimbabwe: birth, death and demographic trends. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 48, 101–112
Gaines, J.D., 1989. The role of record analysis in evaluating sub fertile dairy herds. Veterinary Medicine, 84, 532–543
Gaines, J.D., 1990. Investigating sub fertile dairy herds: three case histories. Veterinary Medicine, 84, 409–517
Kanuya, N.L., 1992. Reproductive functions and performance of postpartum dairy cows in Morogoro District, (Msc thesis, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania)
Kanuya, N.L, Agger, J.F. and Pedersen, K.M., 1997. Assessing the reproductive performance of a Tanzania dairy herd: the importance of proper record keeping. Tanzania Veterinary Journal, 17, 63–71
Kanuya, N.L., Kessy, B.M., Bittegeko, S.B.P., Mdoe, N.S.Y. and Aboud, A.A.O., 2000. Sub-optimal reproductive performance of dairy cattle kept in smallholder herds in a rural highland of Northern Tanzania. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 45, 183–192
Kristula, M.A., Curtis, C.R, Galligan, D.T. and Bartholomew, R.W., 1992. Use of repeated measures logistic regression model to predict chronic mastitis in dairy cows. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 14, 57–68
Kifaro, G.C., 1985. A note on the influence of level of milk production in early lactation on fertility of dairy cows. Tanzania Veterinary Bulletin, 1, 17–19
Leslie, J., Swai, E.S., Karimuribo, E. and Bell, C., 1999. Tanga and Southern Highland Dairy Development Programmes: Social Economic Aspects and Farmer Perception of Dairy Cattle Keeping and Animal Diseases, (DFID/NRRD Animal Health Research Programme)
Lowman, E.G., Scott, N. and Sommerille, S., 1973. Condition Scoring of Cattle, Bulletin no. 6, (East of Scotland College of Agriculture, Edinburgh)
Lyimo, Z.C., Nkya, R., Schoonman, L. and van Eerdenburg, F.J.C.M., 2004. Post- partum reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cattle on smallholder farms in sub-humid coastal Tanzania. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 36, 269–279
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, 1983. Tanzania National Food Strategy: A Framework for Action, (Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania)
Masama, E., Kusina, N.T., Sibanda, S. and Majoni, C., 2003. Reproductive and lactation performance of cattle in smallholder dairy system in Zimbabwe. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 35, 117–129
Mdoe, N, 1993. Smallholder dairy production and marketing of milk in Hai District, Tanzania, (PhD thesis, University of Reading, UK)
Moller, K., Newling, P.E., Robinson, H.J., Jansen, G.H., Meurisage, J.A. and Cooper, M.G., 1967. Retained fetal membranes in dairy herds in the Huntly District. New Zealand Journal, 15, 116–119
Msanga, Y.N., Bryant, M.J., Rutam, I.E., Minja, F.N. and Zylistra, L., 2000. Effect of environmental factors and of the proportion of Holstein blood on the milk yield and lactation length of crossbred cattle on smallholder farms North East, Tanzania. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 32, 23–31
Msangi, B.S.J., 2001. Studies of smallholder dairying along the coast of Tanzania with special reference to influence of feeding and supplementation on reproduction and lactation in crossbred cows, (PhD thesis, University of Reading, UK)
Msangi, B.S.J., Bryant, M.J., Kavana, P.Y., Msanga, Y.N. and Kizima, J.B., 1999. Body measurements as a management tool for crossbred dairy cattle under smallholder farm conditions in Tanzania. Proceedings of the Tanzania Society of Animal Production 26th Scientific Conference, August 1999
Mujuni, F.P., 1991. Postpartum ovarian disorders affecting dairy cows in selected areas of Tanzania, (MSc thesis, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania)
National Coconut Development Council, 1981. TIRDEP – Tonga Water Master Plan, (GTZ, Eschborn, Germany) Nkya, R. and Swai, E.M., 2000. Some factors associated with reduced dairy cattle reproductive performance in small scale farms of peri-urban Dar-es-Salaam and Morogoro. In: Proceedings of the of the Tanzanian Veterinary Association, 17th Scientific Conference, Nov.-Dec. 1999
Obese F.Y., Okantah, S.A. and Oddoye, E.O., 1999. Post-partum reproductive, performance of Sanga cattle in smallholder peri-urban dairy herds in the Accra plains of Ghana. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 31, 181–190
Pulan, N.B., 1979. Condition scoring of White Fulani cattle. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 10, 118–120
Roy, J.H.B., 1983. Problems of calf rearing in connection with their mortality and optimal growth: a review. Livestock Production Science, 10, 339–349
Schnitzenlehner, S., Essl, A. and Solkner, J. 1998. Retained placenta: estimation of nongenetic effects, heritability and correlations to important traits in cattle. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 115, 467–178
Shehata, S.H., El-Din, Z. and El-Ali, M.N.A., 1995. Factors affecting service period, calving interval and milk yield of Holstein-Friesian dairy cows in Upper Egypt. In: Proceedings of the Third Science Congress of Egypt Society for Cattle Dissertation, 3–5 December 1995, Assiiut, Egypt, vol. 2, 196–202
Southern Highland Dairy Development Programme, 1997. Annual Progress Report, (Southern Highland Dairy Development Programme, Iringa, Tanzania)
Swai, E.S., 2002. Epidemiological studies of tick borne diseases in smallscale dairy farming system in Tanzania, (PhD thesis, University of Reading, UK)
Tanga Dairy Development Programme, 1999. Annual Progress Report, (Tanga Dairy Development Programme, Tanga, Tanzania)
Younquist, R.S., 1988. Anoestrous and infertility in the cow. In: J.A. Laing, W.S. Brinley Morgan and W.C. Wagner (eds), Fertility and Infertility in Veterinary Practice, 4th edn, (Bailliére-Tindall, London), 91–112
Zaiem, I., Tainturier, D., BenOthmen, H., Beckers, J.F. and Chemli, J., 1997. Retained placenta and infertility: interest of etiproston treatment and pregnancy associated glucoprotein I (PAGI) measure in cow. Revue de Médecine Vétérinaire, 148, 725–732
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Swai, E.S., Bryant, M.J., Karimuribo, E.D. et al. A Cross-sectional Study of Reproductive Performance of Smallholder Dairy Cows in Coastal Tanzania. Trop Anim Health Prod 37, 513–525 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-005-1218-x
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-005-1218-x