Parasitic gastro-enteritis in calves on the Jos plateau, Nigeria.

An experiment in which groups of calves were repeatedly treated with thiabendazole and compared with similar untreated groups suggested that parasitic gastroenteritis is not a problem in calves kept under traditional management during the wet season on the Jos plateau in northern Nigeria. On the other hand, as the dry season advanced, the effect of earlier treatment during the wet season showed in better weight gains, higher serum albumin concentrations and higher packed cell volumes compared to the controls. The epidemiological significance of this is discussed in relation to the nutritional stresses of the dry season.

Productivity of White Fulani cattle on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria. IV. Economic factors.

All the herds surveyed were relatively unproductive as regards fertility, growth rates, offtake and milk production with the exception of one herd which received a significant amount of dry season supplementation. It is suggested that the provision of supplementary feeds would be a simple and relatively inexpensive method of improving traditional management.

Productivity of White Fulani cattle on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria. III. Disease and management factors.

The importance of disease and management factors in relation to the productivity of traditionally managed White Fulani cattle herds on the Jos plateau is described. Disease per se was not considered to be a major factor limiting productivity with the reduction in importance of the major epizootic diseases of rinderpest and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia. Diseases which were considered of some importance were streptothricosis and liver fluke in adult cattle and coccidiosis and possibly parasitic gastro-enteritis in younger animals. One of the management factors limiting productivity was the keeping of older castrates mostly in the Fulani-owned herds. The most important management practice affecting the productivity of the herds was the provision of dry season supplementation. Only one herd received substantial amounts and its productivity was much greater than that of the other study herds.

Productivity of White Fulani cattle on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria. II. Nutritional factors.

The influence of nutritional factors on the productivity of traditionally managed White Fulani cattle herds on the Jos Plateau is described as part of a 2 1/2 year study. The observations made point to the effects of the poor nutrition obtained from natural fodders during the dry season as well as to gross overgrazing. The effect of limited dry season supplementation on productivity is illustrated.

Productivity of White Fulani cattle on the Jos plateau, Nigeria I. Herd structures and reproductive performance.

Some details are given of a 2 1/2 year study on traditionally managed settled White Fulani cattle herds on the Jos plateau in Nigeria. Observations are included on herd size, herd structure, seasonal calving and reproductive performance. The relationship between herd structure and reproductive performance is discussed.