The magnitude of calf morbidity and mortality and risk factors in smallholder farms across livestock production systems in central Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Calf morbidity and mortality are major constraints in Ethiopian cattle production that severely limit available replacement stock. Calf morbidity and mortality reports in Ethiopia mostly focus on market‐oriented dairy production systems. A cross‐sectional study was undertaken in central Ethiopia with the objectives of estimating the magnitude of calf morbidity and mortality across three production systems and contributing risk factors. METHODS: A cross‐sectional study was conducted at pastoral, mixed‐crop livestock, and dairy farms in central Ethiopia from February 2019 to June 2019 to collect 1‐year retrospective and cross‐sectional data on calf morbidity and mortality from smallholder farmers using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 293 smallholder farmers were involved in the study. Among the households interviewed, 83% of respondents encountered feed shortages in the year prior to this study. The overall annual calf morbidity prevalence and mortality rate were 6.49% (95% CI: 4.87–8.44) and 10% (95% CI: 8.28–11.93), respectively. Morbidity was higher in Dalocha and Sululta districts in mixed crop‐livestock and peri‐urban production systems, respectively. Logistic regression analysis of potential risk factors indicated that calf morbidity was associated with the calf and dam body condition score (BCS). Calves with BCS of 3 (medium) were less likely to be morbid (odds ratio [OR]: 0.20 [95% CI: 0.07–0.56]) than calves with BCS of 1 (emaciated), and calves born from dams with a body condition score of 2 (thin) were also at lower risk (OR: 0.25 [95% CI: 0.07–0.95]) than calves born from emaciated dams. The odds of calf mortality in Awash Fentale district were higher (OR: 6.19 [95% CI: 2.09–18.32]) compared to Sululta district. CONCLUSIONS: The study results revealed that the production system and management affect the magnitude of calf morbidity and mortality. We recommend improving water and feed access and resources for livestock owners to reduce calf morbidity and mortality.