Determination of factors that influence reproductive conditions in cows in the rural farms of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District of the North West Province

Abstract

Reproductive disorders in communal farming remain answerable to economic losses and poor reproductive performance. The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence the prevalence of reproductive conditions in cattle in the semi-arid area of Ngaka Modiri Molema district, North West Province. This study focused on five reproductive conditions, that is, downer cow syndrome, dystocia, abortion, retained placenta and vaginal prolapses. Questionnaires were used to collect data from 65 farmers during farm visits and at community outreaches. Results obtained from the survey showed that among 65 cases of reproductive conditions encountered in this study, dystocia (26.2%), retained placentas (23.1%), abortion (23.1%), downer cow syndrome (20%) and vaginal prolapses (7.7%). The results also indicate the following probabilities including body condition score (P=0.37), breed type (P=0.025), parity (P=0.54), treatment given to the cow (P=0.68), cows supplemented (P=0.21) and medical history (P=0.58). The condition most encountered in this study was dystocia and the difference in the breed type showed to be very influential in the prevalence of these conditions. There is a need to implement sustainable strategies to improve production and educate the farmer on methods that can reduce the incidences of reproductive conditions.