Climate change resilience through enhanced reproduction and lactation performance in Malawian Zebu cattle

Reproductive efficiency in Zebu cattle:

Among 101 cows followed from calving in the dry period of 2015, 53 were pregnant and 48 non-pregnant after six months. Calf mortality is an important factor impairing food production from the zebu cattle in the region. Supplemental feeding of Gliricidia sepium leaves was positively associated with the length of the lactation period. This shows a potential for enhanced milk yield and thereby improved food security. Blood serology showed low prevalence of common infectious diseases, such as East cost fever, babesiosis, brucellosis, neosporosis and BVDV. The prevalence of Coxiella burnetii was high. This is a zoonotic disease that attack humans.

A relatively short period from calving to start of sexual activity, and considerably variability in pregnancy rate at 6 month between cows, herds and agricultural sections, point towards a potential to maintain reproductive performance during the dry period by applying adequate management in Zebu cattle in Northern Malawi.