Retrospective Study of Bovine Foetal Wastage at the Akure Semi-Mechanised Abattoir, Ondo State, Southwestern Nigeria

Slaughter of pregnant cows results in foetal wastage, with implications for animal welfare and the economic productivity of cattle production. This study assessed the prevalence, pattern and potential economic impact of foetal wastage at the Akure Semi-Mechanised Abattoir, Ondo State, Nigeria, over a six-year period (2020–2025), using abattoir meat inspection records. Of the 44,733 cows slaughtered during the study period, 3,568 foetal wastage cases were recorded, giving an overall prevalence of 7.98%, equivalent to approximately one foetal wastage case for every 13 cows slaughtered. Foetal wastage prevalence varied over the study period, compared with 2020, the odds of foetal wastage were higher in 2024 (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.18–1.50) and 2025 (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.17–1.47) (P<0.001). Prevalence varied significantly by month (P<0.001), lowest from February to April (3.83-5.77%) and highest from May to November (9.05-11.06%), peaking in June (11.06%), when grouped by season it was higher in the wet (8.72%) than the dry season (6.54%) (P<0.001). The 3,568 foetuses represented a crude estimated economic loss of ₦713.6 million (approximately US$538,000). The findings demonstrate that foetal wastage is a persistent problem at the Akure abattoir. Strengthening antemortem pregnancy screening, improving coordination among veterinary personnel, cattle owners and livestock traders may help reduce the occurrence of foetal wastage