Productivity, absence of a bull and endoparasitic nematodiosis in beef cattle farms in an upland area of East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Background and Aim: Cattle are an important economic asset for the rural community in East Java Province, Indonesia. The study aimed to provide updated data of cattle farm demography, productivity, as well as the role of the absence of a bull and nematodiosis in reduced productivity of beef cattle in an upland rural area of the province. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Sukowono village, Bondowoso region. A Census survey was conducted to collect data through interviews with farmers. Further, 102 fecal samples were taken systematically and processed using a double centrifugation method to investigate the endoparasitic nematodiosis in the cattle population. The demographic data, productivity, and nematodiosis were analyzed descriptively. The difference between proportions was analyzed using Chi-square with 95% confidence limit. The associations were described in risk ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: The total cattle population was 814 heads; the range of farm size was 1-7 (median: 2) cattle. Female cattle comprised 81.8% (666/814) of the cattle population but, only 5.5% (23/422) farmers kept both bull and mature female cattle. Pregnancy rate was 26.8% (145/542) of mature female cattle. The delayed first calving time appeared in 24.8% (62/250) of heifers and calving interval of >14 months occurred in 83.2% (149/179) of multiparous cows. The prevalence of endoparasitic nematodiosis was 43.1% (44/102, 95%, CI: 38.1-52.1%). Either the absence of the bull or the nematodiosis did not associate with pregnancy rate or calving interval of cows. Conclusion: This study indicates that the productivity of the cattle in the study area was low but may not associate with the absence of a bull or nematodiosis.

Assessing Reproductive Performance to Establish Benchmarks for Small-Holder Beef Cattle Herds in South Africa

“…Moreover, training of BCS and the importance of supplementation to maintain BCS primarily at the beginning of the breeding season to support pregnancy requirements and post-calving for support of estrus is encouraged [ 55 ]. These interventions may not only assist beef cattle smallholders in SA but other tropical countries such as Somalia, Vietnam, and Indonesia reporting similar results [ 56 , 57 , 58 ].…”

The Epidemiology and Control of Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Virus in Tropical Indonesian Cattle

“…Exotic breeds include Ongole, Brahman, Brahman cross, Angus, Simmental, Limousine and Australian Commercial Cross [53]. The average small beef farm in Indonesia has 2.4 cattle, with the average size of household farms in East and Central Java being less than two animals [38,54,55], but, in Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Sulawesi, Maluku and Papua, the average size is more than three cattle [38]. As many as 76.2% of household farmers are breeders and mature female cattle comprise 45.7% of the total cattle population [38].…”

“…As many as 76.2% of household farmers are breeders and mature female cattle comprise 45.7% of the total cattle population [38]. A village-level census in East Java reported that small-scale farms rely on artificial insemination for cattle breeding due to the lack of bulls, with the pregnancy rate reported to be just 26.8% [54]. As a result of low pregnancy and calving rates, domestic production can only satisfy 45% of the Indonesian demand for beef, and imports are needed to meet market demand [37].…”

“…Fattening cattle mostly comingle with breeding cattle on small-scale breeding farms run by the same owner [38,54,55]. Purchasing grower cattle at auction and BVDV transmission from breeding animals may be likely sources of infection to fattening farms.…”