Farm-level livestock loss and risk factors in Ethiopian livestock production systems

Li, Y., Jemberu, W.T. and Mayberry, D. 2025. Farm-level livestock loss and risk factors in Ethiopian livestock production systems. Tropical Animal Health and Production 57(5): 240.

This study aims to explore farm-level losses of cattle, goats and sheep and relevant risk factors in the mixed crop-livestock and pastoral production systems in Ethiopia. Data from 1,528 cattle farms, 868 goat farms and 749 sheep farms, spanning the year 2018/19, were analysed in this study. A farm was defined as a case farm if it lost at least one cattle/goat/sheep in the past 12 months. The 12-month incidence of livestock loss was calculated for each region and production system. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess risk factors contributing to livestock loss in the farms. Forty-five percent of goat farms, 36% of sheep farms and 23% of cattle farms reported losing at least one animal in the past 12 months. Cattle loss in the pastoral system was associated with not using vaccines (Odds Ratio = 7, P < 0.01). In the mixed crop-livestock system cattle loss was associated with the absence of a roofed house (Odds Ratio = 1.40, P < 0.05). Risk factors for goat loss in the mixed crop-livestock system were selling live goats in the past 12 months (Odds Ratio = 1.58, P < 0.05). For sheep loss in the pastoral system, the identified risk factor was having cattle on farm (Odds Ratio = 2.40, P < 0.05). These findings provide valuable insights into the scale and the drivers of livestock loss within the major cattle and small ruminants production systems in Ethiopia.