Materials and methods
Results and discussion
Conclusion and policy implications
Bibliography
C. Ndi, N.E. Tambi, N.W. Agharih
The authors wish to thank the abattoir personnel of the Delegation of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Bamenda, for their assistance during data collection. Our greatest appreciation goes to Mr W. Atanga of the Institute of Animal Research (IRZ), Bambui, who was present at the abattoir on a daily basis for the collection of data.
C. Ndi and N.E. Tambi can be contacted at the Institute of Animal Research (IRZ), Bambui, PO Box 51, Bamenda, Cameroon, and N. W. Agharih at the North West Provincial Delegation of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal lndustries, Bamenda, Cameroon.
In Cameroon, the average animal protein intake (meat, milk, eggs, fish) per caput per day has been estimated at 13.2 g, with meat alone representing 6.8 g. The meat protein intake is obviously much lower than the European and North American averages of 27.3 and 38.3 g per caput per day, respectively, but it is slightly higher than the African average of 4.5 g (FAO, 1993). From a global point of view, Cameroon falls among those countries with very low per caput production and consumption of animal and meat protein (Ngoupayou and Tambi, 1989).
In 1987/88, total domestic meat production was estimated at 105 052 tonnes, giving an annual per caput production of 10.06 kg. During the same period, annual per caput meat consumption was 15.39 kg, or 52 percent greater than the per caput domestic production, which was made possible by the considerable meat importation into the country. Of all the meat produced in Cameroon, beef represents 61 percent, sheep and goat meat 15 percent, chicken 13 percent and pork 11 percent.
Recent estimates show that there are about 4.4 million head of cattle in Cameroon (MINEPIA, 1992; MINPAT, 1986). The additions to herds consist of 23 percent from births and 4 percent from purchases, while deletions from herds are estimated at 13.3 percent from mortality and 11.3 percent from offtake (MINEPIA, 1992; MINAGRI, 1986). Mortality and offtake rates together exceed the herd replacement rate from births, indicating that future demands of beef cannot be sustained. Because of the uncertainty regarding the country's ability to compensate for inherent losses incurred during the process of herd removal and replacement, there is increased concern that lower rates of herd replacement will threaten the ability to meet long-term demands for beef at affordable prices.
While some authors have reported on factors responsible for low herd replacement rates among traditional herds in Cameroon (Mbah et al., 1988; Tawah and Mbah, 1989), the empirical relationship between offtake and birth rates is not well established. This is particularly evident from the increasing incidence of calf wastage during the herd removal process. Calf wastage through the slaughter of pregnant cows has received increasing attention over the past few years, however, the empirical evidence of the effect of this practice on beef production is limited. Tawah and Mbah (1989) and Ndikum and Saliki (1989) reported pre-natal losses in cattle ranging from 5 to 25 percent. In Yaoundé, Tchoumboue (1984) reported that 16.6 percent of cattle slaughtered were pregnant, while at the Enugu abattoir in Nigeria the figure was 26 percent (Wosu, 1988).
Although the merit of these studies lies in their ability to account for the losses incurred through the inadvertent slaughtering of pregnant cows, they fail to quantify the effect of this practice on the national herd size, total beef production and the economic losses borne by society in terms of welfare losses and higher beef prices.
This study carried out at Bamenda, North West Province, Cameroon, evaluates the effects of higher rates of slaughtered pregnant cows on herd replacement rates and meat production and quantifies the financial losses resulting from calf wastage.
This study was carried out between April 1989 and March 1990 at the Bamenda municipal abattoir. Slaughtered cattle were inspected by a trained veterinary assistant, who was supervised by a veterinarian from the North West Provincial Delegation of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries. The pregnancy status of the cows was first determined by visual assessment and palpation of the exposed uterus after slaughter and then confirmed by dissecting the uteri of the slaughtered cows. Ages of the foetuses at slaughter were determined by measuring foetal body length as described by Arthur, Noakes and Pearson (1982) (Figure 1).
Data on the total number of male and female cattle, pregnant cows slaughtered and the ages of the foetuses found were collected on a daily basis. The results were analysed to determine the prevalence of pregnancy in the slaughtered cows, the percentage of avoidable calf wastage and the ratio of cows to bulls slaughtered.
A total of 8 692 cattle were slaughtered during the study period in 1989/90, with a monthly average of 724 cattle (24 per day), varying from 781 in July to 650 in November (Table 1). Thirty-five percent (3 035 cows) of the slaughtered cattle were females, with a monthly average of 253. Although the total number of cattle slaughtered in December was lower than average, the proportion of female cattle slaughtered was highest (41.8 percent) in this month. On average, 22.1 percent of the female cattle slaughtered in Bamenda were pregnant, ranging from 31.9 percent in April to 17.3 percent in October. Of the pregnant cows, 35.9 percent had foetuses of less than three months and more than half (51.9 percent) had foetuses between four and six months old, while 12.2 percent were more than six months' pregnant (Table 2). The total number of foetuses in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy then was 431 (64 percent). This is surprising, given the fact that pregnancies in the second and third trimesters can be more easily detected than those of the first trimester.
The proportion of pregnant cows to total cattle slaughtered in Bamenda is higher than the 16.6 percent figure reported by Tchoumboue (1984) from Yaoundé, Cameroon. At the Yaoundé municipal abattoir, 45 percent of the cows were slaughtered during the first trimester of pregnancy, compared with 36 percent in Bamenda, and the number of cows slaughtered during the second trimester of pregnancy was higher in Bamenda (52 percent) than in Yaoundé (37 percent). In both studies, however, the proportion of cows with foetuses in the second and third trimesters was higher than those in the first trimester. The pattern of calf wastage observed in this study is in line with the findings of Wosu (1988), who reported that 26,67 and 7 percent of cows were slaughtered during the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, respectively, at the Enugu abattoir.
One possible factor contributing to the high rate of slaughter of pregnant cows is the season or period of the year. Apart from the month of May, when 27.2 percent of pregnant cows were slaughtered, more pregnant cows (26 percent) were slaughtered during the peak of the dry season (December to February). In analysing the effect of drought on livestock in sub-Saharan Africa, Toulmin (1986) reported that, during extreme dry periods, herders increased the sales of aged cows and less productive females in order to meet household cash needs. As the dry season progressed and the stress on cattle increased, herders were compelled to liquidate pregnant females before they died naturally. In a survey of slaughtered cattle at the Niamey abattoir in Niger, Boeckm et al. (1974) reported that 70 percent of the cattle slaughtered during the extreme dry periods were females, compared with 30 percent during the normal periods of the year. Elsewhere in southeast Ethiopia, Germen (1975) observed a similar phenomenon, where most of the cattle sold for slaughter during the dry season were females.
Looking at the relatively high slaughter rate of pregnant cows in Bamenda, two important questions come to mind. First, what are the effects of this on the supply of beef in a country where meat production lags behind consumption? And second, what are the economic implications of this for both total and per caput meat production and consumption and the policy implications for adequate planning of the livestock sector in Cameroon?
In 1989/90, Cameroonians consumed an annual average of 16.5 kg of meat per person. Domestic meat production per caput was estimated at 12 kg, accounting for 73.2 percent of domestic consumption (FAO, 1993). Domestic production of beef, representing 61 percent of total meat production, was based on an annual offtake rate of 11.3 percent and a herd replacement (birth) rate of 23 percent (MINEPIA, 1986; MINAGRI, 1986). The offtake figure obtained was 11.3 percent of a total national herd of 4.4 million cattle, or 497 200. If 22.1 percent of all cows slaughtered were pregnant, then this would give a total of 109 880 cows, or 2.5 percent of the national herd (Table- 3). Assuming that no pre-natal mortality and no stillbirths are incurred and that calves are born as single births, this would represent a reduction of 109 880 calves from the future national herd. Given an average mortality rate of -13.3 percent (MINEPIA, 1986b; IRZ/GTZ, 1989), an offtake rate of 11.3 percent and a 2.5 percent rate of foetal loss, the total future herd removal rate would be 27.1 percent, which is greater than the 23 percent herd replacement (birth) rate. Thus, the net reduction in herd size resulting from mortality, offtake and foetal losses becomes 4.1 percent.
If calves were slaughtered immediately following birth (after receiving colostrum), a total of 109 880 calves would be lost at an estimated cost of 1 027 million CFAF (US$4.11 million at an exchange rate of US$1 to 250 CFAF) or 9 350 CFAF (US$37.40) per calf, assuming a birth weight of 24.6 kg and a market price of 380 CFAF (US$1.52) per kilogram of live weight. If calves were raised to a weaning age of one year, however, the loss would only be 91 200 calves. This figure assumes a 17-percent mortality rate for calves from birth to weaning age of one year. The number of calves lost, therefore, is calculated as 83 percent of the offtake of 109 880, given that 18 680 calves are lost to natural death. For details on calf mortality rates see MINEPIA (1992), IRZ/GTZ (1989) and MINEPIA (1986b). In carcass terms, this would represent a loss of 6 924 tonnes of beef, equivalent to a gross income of 5 539 million CFAF (US$22.16 million). The quantity of beef lost is obtained by multiplying the number of calves assumed to survive to weaning age (91 200) by the average weaning weight of 146 kg to give 13 315 tonnes. The carcass equivalent is obtained as 52 percent of total live weight. Lost income is calculated at the government-regulated market price of 800 CFAF (US$3.20) per kilogram of carcass weight. For details on growth performance, weaning age, weight and carcass yield, see IRZ (1986). In net terms, therefore, the income lost to producers is estimated at 1 717 million CFAF (US$6.87 million). This figure is the difference between the expected gross income of 5 539 million CFAF (US$22.16 million) and the total cost of raising calves from birth to weaning at-one year of age. For details see Tambi (1991).
If for some reason all cattle were slaughtered upon maturity at four years and a post-weaning mortality rate of 3.4 percent were assumed, a total of 88 100 cattle (Table 3) would be lost. Assuming an average mature live weight of 320 kg and a carcass yield of 52 percent, the total carcass equivalent lost would be 14 660 tonnes of beef, or a per caput reduction of 1.27 kg of beef. In monetary terms, this would be a gross income of 11 728 million CFAF or 133 120 CFAF (US$532) per head. The net loss incurred by cattle producers would be 4 222 million CFAF (US$16.89 million), or 47 920 CFAF (US$192) per head of cattle. The total cost of raising one animal from birth to slaughter at four years of age is estimated to be 85 200 CFAF (US$340.80). The slaughter age of four years is used in calculating costs and returns in line with Decree No.76/420, which forbids the slaughter of cattle less than four years of age. For cattle slaughtered beyond four years, it is assumed that annual production costs and benefits are proportional and constant, therefore, the net effect of the continuous slaughter of pregnant cows would mean a reduction in both consumer and producer welfare through meat shortages and reduced farmer incomes.
1. Proportion of pregnant cows slaughtered at the Bamenda municipal abattoir
1. Proportion des vaches gestantes abattues à l'abattoir municipal de Bamenda
1. Proporción de vacas preñadas sacrificadas en el matadero municipal de Bamenda
|
Month |
Number of cattle slaughtered |
Number of cows slaughtered |
Percentage of cows slaughtered |
Percentage of pregnant cows slaughtered |
|
April |
765 |
270 |
35.3 |
31.9 |
|
May |
704 |
232 |
33.0 |
27.2 |
|
June |
716 |
260 |
36.3 |
20.8 |
|
July |
781 |
246 |
31.5 |
23.2 |
|
August |
257 |
36.0 |
19.5 |
|
|
September |
747 |
215 |
28.8 |
18.1 |
|
October |
701 |
225 |
32.1 |
17.3 |
|
November |
650 |
218 |
33.5 |
18.8 |
|
December |
694 |
290 |
41.8 |
26.9 |
|
January |
747 |
288 |
38.6 |
25.7 |
|
February |
734 |
251 |
34.1 |
24.3 |
|
March |
740 |
283 |
38.2 |
20.1 |
|
Total |
8 692 |
3 035 |
|
|
|
Mean monthly |
724 |
253 |
35.0 |
22.1 |
2. Age distribution of foetuses of cows slaughtered at the Bamenda municipal abattoir
2. Age des fœtus des vaches abattues à l'abattoir municipal de Bamenda
2. Distribución por edades de los fetos de las vacas sacrificadas en el matadero municipal de Bamenda
|
Month |
Number of cows slaughtered |
Number of pregnant cows slaughtered |
1 to 3 months |
4 to 6 months |
7 to 9 months |
|
April |
270 |
59 |
28.1 |
62.7 |
18.5 |
|
May |
232 |
63 |
38.1 |
50.8 |
11.1 |
|
June |
260 |
54 |
40.7 |
42.6 |
16.7 |
|
July |
246 |
57 |
24.6 |
61.4 |
14.0 |
|
August |
257 |
50 |
30.0 |
66.0 |
4.0 |
|
September |
215 |
39 |
30.8 |
53.8 |
15.4 |
|
October |
225 |
39 |
35.9 |
56.4 |
7.7 |
|
November |
218 |
41 |
43.9 |
39.0 |
17.1 |
|
December |
290 |
78 |
30.8 |
53.8 |
15.4 |
|
January |
288 |
74 |
33.8 |
51.4 |
14.9 |
|
February |
251 |
81 |
80.7 |
32.8 |
6.6 |
|
March |
283 |
57 |
33.3 |
52.6 |
14.0 |
|
Total |
3 035 |
672 |
|
|
|
|
Mean monthly |
253 |
56 |
35.9 |
51.9 |
12.2 |
3. Effect of foetal losses on herd replacement at the national level
3. Effet des pertes de fœtus sur la reconstitution des troupeaux à l'échelon national
3. Efecto de las pérdidas fetales en la sustitución del ganado a nivel nacional
|
|
Number |
Percentage | |
|
Total national herd |
4 400 000 |
| |
|
Total females |
2 802 800 |
63.70 | |
|
Herd replacements |
|
| |
|
|
- Births |
1 007600 |
22.90 |
|
|
- Purchases |
162 800 |
3.70 |
|
Herd deletions |
|
| |
|
|
- Mortality |
585 200 |
13.30 |
|
|
- Offtake |
497 200 |
11.30 |
|
|
- Foetal losses¹ |
109 880 |
2.50 |
|
Total herd deletions |
1 192 280 |
27.10 | |
|
Lost calves/heifers/steers caused by slaughter of pregnant cows: |
|
| |
|
|
- At birth |
109 880² |
2.50 |
|
|
- At weaning one year later |
91 2003 |
2.07 |
|
|
- At maturity four years later |
88 1004 |
2.00 |
¹22.1 percent of offtake.
² Assumes no pre-natal mortality or stillbirths.
³ Assumes a 17-percent mortality rate for pre-weaning calves.
4 Assumes a 3.4-percent post-weaning mortality rate.
The preceding results indicate that Cameroon loses 2 to 2.5 percent of its future productive herd as a result of the indiscriminate slaughtering of pregnant cows. Approximately two-thirds of the cows slaughtered are in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Producers, middlemen, butchers and veterinary staff are not ignorant of the pregnant status of these cows, particularly when 12 percent of cows slaughtered are between seven and nine months' pregnant. For producers, however, pregnant cows are more valuable and command higher market prices from middlemen and butchers who find them physically attractive. Unlike retail meat prices, wholesale and farmgate prices for cattle are unregulated. Cattle traders and butchers negotiate for slaughter cattle based on physical inspection of the animal. The result is that most traders end up purchasing cattle for slaughter that appear physically attractive and, depending on the season or period of year, most of these cows are pregnant.
An important factor contributing to the increased slaughter of pregnant cows in Cameroon is the poor enforcement of existing livestock legislation. Three important policy objectives are emphasized in Cameroon's livestock sector: to increase domestic animal protein production so as to attain national self-sufficiency in meat production; to increase farmers' incomes in order to raise their standards of living; and to cut down on meat imports in order to conserve scarce foreign currency. In line with these policy objectives, Article 17 of Decree No. 76/420 of September 1976, modified by Decree No. 86/755 of 24 June 1986, strictly prohibits cattle producers, middlemen and butchers from transporting and/or slaughtering calves and pregnant cows of all breeds. The decree also forbids the slaughter of female cattle under ten years of age and male cattle below four years, except in cases of accidents, sterility or incurable diseases certified by a veterinary officer. As an enforcement measure of these regulations, Ministerial Arretes No. 015/MINEPIA of 9 June 1984 and No. 02/MINEPIA of 20 July 1988 define routes for the movement of livestock, emphasizing the establishment of special cattle control posts along each route. The veterinary officers of these control posts are to inspect and issue certificates for all cattle destined for the abattoir. In cases of pregnancy, no certificates are to be issued.
Although government regulations discourage the slaughter of pregnant cows, the structure of the formal cattle marketing and slaughter system in Cameroon has flaws limiting their application. As a result of the lax enforcement of existing regulations, trade cattle destined for slaughter enter and leave cattle markets for abattoirs without routine veterinary checks (Figure 2). Even when cows are inspected and found to be pregnant, there are no funkier checks at either officially designated abattoirs or at illegal slaughter sites, which are located away from the control posts (Figure 3). No sanctions or punitive measures are imposed on those who violate existing regulations. Poor enforcement of government regulations on livestock, therefore, perpetuates the slaughter of pregnant cows.
Livestock marketing in Cameroon has generally witnessed very little change over the years. Recently, higher retail beef prices have resulted in a proliferation of uneducated, inexperienced small middlemen and butchers who directly purchase live animals from producers inexperienced in detecting early pregnancies (Figure 2).
Attempts to reduce meat deficits in Cameroon must focus on ways of reducing calf wastage during slaughter (Figure 4). Government intervention in cattle marketing remains essential, particularly in the enforcement of policies relating to the sale of pregnant cows for slaughter. Policy efforts must concentrate on instituting routine veterinary checks at cattle control posts and abattoirs. In addition, producers need to be better informed about the seasonal breeding patterns of cows in order to avoid disposing of them during the calving season. If meat supplies are to be maintained or increased to meet future domestic demand, the incidence of slaughtering pregnant cows must be reduced or halted completely.
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