Authors : P.O. Okaiyeto , I.R. Muhammad , I.R. Muhammad and A.A. Abubakar-Adee
Abstract: Beef cattle production is a crops-livestock economic activity in the core cattle producing States of Nigeria. This is because same animals are used in farming and haulage operations and later fattened and sold. Breeding is avoided because of its longer production cycle and thus, males are used. A survey of nine Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Katsina State was carried out with the view of providing information on beef cattle production and marketing. Results show that animals are purchased between 2.00 and 4.00 years and used for between 2-3 more years. During this period, they are grazed on natural pastures and crop residues. Ownership numbers were for Katsina, Dutsin-Ma and Malumfashi were 3.00, 3.00 and 4.00 pairs, respectively (i.e., within eight animals per household). Also, 59.00, 64.00 and 64.00% sourced their capital internally and only 5.00, 7.00 and 11.00% sourced it from the banks. Operating costs ratios were very low and were: 43.36, 36.50 and 29.02%, respectively. This activity is more profitable in Malumfashi axis because of its proximity to cotton ginneries that requires haulages to and from it and its by-products used as feeds. Dutsin-Ma axis follow, as irrigation activities in it require haulages of inputs and outputs; and by-products used as feeds. It is concluded that this is a profitable venture being limited by land and forage/fodder availabilities. Its amelioration can be enhanced by the development of community-based rangeland and pastures establishment schemes under the management of the farmers in the Wards and used by its registered members.
P.O. Okaiyeto , I.R. Muhammad , I.R. Muhammad and A.A. Abubakar-Adee , 2006. The Structures and Marketing of Beef Cattle in Katsina State of Nigeria. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 1: 125-129.