A North-West University (NWU) PhD student has spent the last six years studying how the occurrence of reproductive conditions in cows can be prevented, thereby improving the fortunes of communal cattle farmers.
Keitiretse Molefe will graduate at the campus in Mahikeng in April 2020, and feels blessed to have been part of the research project.
“The project is indeed a great achievement. It was very challenging but I believe in being persistent, and having a committed and very supportive supervisor helped a lot. I have learned so much,” says Keitiretse, adding that the farmers were very committed in assisting her.
Her supervisor and head of the subject group Animal Health, Prof Mulunda Mwanza, is excited about the impact the study findings will have, especially on villages around the greater Mahikeng area where the research took place.
Blood samples reveal potential problems
“The study came up with a tool to help farmers collect blood samples in the last month of pregnancy so we could pre-determine what could happen to a pregnant cow,” Prof Mwanza says.
He says that as a result of drought, as experienced in dry areas like Mahikeng, up to 40% of animals experience reproductive conditions.
According to the study abstract, reproductive conditions of communally reared cows are directly related to farm management practices.
“Based on the cases reported at the NWU Animal Hospital, we noticed that communal farmers in Mahikeng often had difficulty in achieving good reproduction due to losses resulting from cattle reproductive disorders,” Keitiretse says, listing conditions such as abortions, retained placenta, dystocia, vaginal prolapses and downer cow syndrome.
“These cases were reported almost every calving season and as a result, cows became more infertile and mortalities increased, which led to reduced productivity and the financial stagnation of most farmers,” she explains.
“We took the initiative to investigate the different factors related to reproductive conditions and bring about change using our know-how to improve treatment and management of our farms to reduce losses.”
She believes the rural agricultural sector, in particular cattle production, can contribute positively to the economy if the farmers can obtain sufficient support.
Mineral supplements are essential
The results of this study also suggest that proper mineral supplementation during pregnancy can improve reproductive capacity by increasing the energy and nutrient content in the feed consumed. Adequate mineral supplementation during pregnancy also reduces the risk of reproductive conditions in cows reared on natural pastures under semi-arid conditions.
The study recommends regular determination of mineral, serum metabolites and hormone levels in pregnant cows as these levels are important biomarkers for monitoring animal reproductive health.
It is a useful tool for improving preventive strategies for reproductive conditions, which veterinary practitioners can use to reduce bovine losses and increase reproductive performance.
The plan going forward is for the NWU to work closely with farmers. “Issues of reproductive conditions in cows prevent the farming sector from becoming productive so as to reach food safety and security targets,” concludes Prof Mwanza.
Keitiretse Molefe has done tremendous work over the past six years and will carry the title of doctor after her April 2020 graduation.
