Description of the production and management system of the Creole cattle from Pasorapa, Bolivia, a well-adapted population to harsh environments

Abstract

Creole cattle populations constitute an important reservoir of genes related to climate resilience and adaptation to harsh environments. During the last years, an unplanned crossbreeding process has threaten the genetic diversity of local Creole cattle populations in Bolivia, risking the conservation of valuable genes for the global animal genetic resources. Generation of reliable information about the production systems and management practices of local breeds, is a key first step for the development of conservation and breeding programs. With this purpose, open-ended and closed-ended questionnaires and interviews were performed with the participation of 81 smallholders from 11 communities of Pasorapa, Bolivia. Pasorapa Creole Cattle is a well-adapted breed to a xerophytic ecosystem, and a rearing system based in two stages, with cattle being released in the mountains for about 7 months across the year, and for the remaining time herded in the paddocks. Feeding strategies are based on crop residues and consumption of native plant species. High mortality rates are explained mainly by environmental factors such as predator attacks. Poor infrastructure, insufficient governmental support and deficient health management practices were found. Even though this cattle population is well adapted to cope with the challenging environmental conditions and management practices, more in depth studies are required to plan improvements on the implementation of the health scheme.

Keywords

Health management; Herd structure; Infrastructure; Local breed; Mortality

Published in

Livestock Research For Rural Development
2019, volume: 31, number: 10
Publisher: Fundacion CIPAV

SLU Authors

• Bottani, Gabriela

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of San Simón (UMSS)

• Jonas, Elisabeth

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Strandberg, Erling

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/129930