An evaluation of causes of calf mortality in some selected farms in Agriculture Zone B Niger State

Abstract

A retrospective and prospective study was carried out to evaluate the causes of calf mortality in some selected commercial cattle farms in Agricultural zone B of Niger State.. Calt mortality is a serious constrain globaly on commercial cattle farmers.. Data retrieved from the records of farms (201 2015) were analyzed using cross tabulation (SPSS Version 22) While in the prospective study, fecal samples, blood sample, nasal swabs and tissue samples were collected from dead calves in agricultural zone "B over 120 days' period for the diagnosis or identification of causative agents ot calf mortalities. Data were analyzed by One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Duncan multiple range test of the same package was used also to separate the treatment means where differences Existed. In the retrospective study, the results showed that Diarrhoea was the most prevalent disease (13.6%) followed by pneumonia (12.1%). The results of retrospective and prospective studies showed that the diseases, age, gender, breed, season and farms all have significant different (P<0?05) on calf mortalities and it is recommended that commercial cattle farmers should take proper care of calves, diseases and management.