Effects of drought on cattle production in sub-tropical environments.

The objective of the study was to assess farmer perceptions on effects of drought on cattle production in sub-tropical environments. Data was collected from a total of 314 cattle-owning households from semi-arid and sub-humid environments using pre-tested structured questionnaires. Drought was highly ranked common cause of cattle loss in semi-arid (ranked third) whilst in sub-humid conditions it was lowly ranked (ranked sixth; P < 0.05). Water shortage was ranked as the constituent of drought with the most severe impact on cattle production in semi-arid environments whilst in sub-humid environments feed shortage was ranked first (P < 0.05). Mortalities were ranked as the most common effect of drought in semi-arid environments whilst in sub-humid environments parasite incidence was ranked first (P < 0.01). Lactating and pregnant cows in sub-humid environments were more likely to be emaciated during droughts periods than those in semi-arid environments (P ˂ 0.05). Starvation, a stressor which is directly related to drought, was the major cause of cattle losses in sub-humid environments. Diseases and parasites, which can be exacerbated by drought, were the major cause of cattle losses in semi-arid environments. Cows and calves are more vulnerable to emaciation during drought periods in sub-humid environments than in semi-arid environments.