E.O. Ngbede - Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria PMB ۱۰۶۹ Kaduna State, Nigeria
S.A. Hena - College of Agriculture and Animal Science (CAAS) Bakura Zamfara State Nigeria.
O.O Oguntoye - College of Agriculture and Animal Science (CAAS) Bakura Zamfara State Nigeria.
R. Tarhyel - Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

Pregnancy wastage has been reported to account for about 20-25% of the fall in livestock production in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the light this fact, a six-year (2003 – 2008) retrospective study based on abattoir records was carried out to assess the magnitude of bovine foetal wastage and its economic implication in an abattoir in Kaduna metropolis. A total of 4867 foetuses were encountered during the six year period with an average of 811 foetuses wasted annually. Foetal wastage was observed to occur throughout the year with an increased occurrence (2890) in the first trimester i.e 59.38%. About 3148 (64.68%) of the wastage was encountered in the dry season (November – April) which coincides with the festive periods viz New year, Easter, Sallah and Christmas as well as the advent of the rainy season. Economic analysis of the magnitude of foetal wastage also indicated that about ₦28,390,833.3 - ₦40,558,333.3 ($236,590.278 - $337,986.11) is annually lost to foetal wastage. Full implementation of the legislations against the slaughtering of pregnant animals is advocated in addition to putting in place and strengthening of veterinary structures and services in the abattoirs across the country. Education of the butchers and farmers against slaughtering of pregnant animals and its economic implication is also advocated.

Foetal wastage , Abattoir , Cattle , economic loss , Kaduna State , Nigeria