Journal of Animal Health and Production

Case Report
J. Anim. Health. Prod. 5(4): 149-158
Http://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.jahp/2017/5.4.149.158
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Bayasgalan Bilegjargal1, Qian Lu1*, Irshad Ahmad2, Muhammad Saeed3

1College of Economics and Management, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China; 2Institute of Water Saving Agriculture in Arid Areas of China, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China; 3College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, China.

Abstract | Extreme weather conditions affect livestock production and also results in significant livestock mortality in Mongolian plateau. A field study was carried out during the years 2015 and 2016, in South Gobi and Khentii provinces, Mongolia, to determine the effect of extreme weather conditions (hypothermia and droughts) on livestock husbandry, livestock mortality and herders economic loss. Herder households were interviewed in South Gobi (n= 56) and Khentii province (n= 44). Our finding showed that extreme weather conditions and diseases significantly results in livestock mortality in South Gobi and Khentii provinces. Compared to large ruminants, goats (56.4% & 64.2%) and sheep (38.4% & 33.4%) mortality was higher in South Gobi and Khentii province during 2015 and 2016. During 2015, per herder household economic losses because of livestock mortality in South Gobi and Khentii provinces was higher (565.8 & 395 USD) as compared to 2016 (232.5 & 296.6 USD), respectively. In Khentii province, household monthly income (238 USD) from livestock husbandry was 4.5% lower than their expenditures (248.8 USD) while in South Gobi province monthly income (244.4 USD) was 5.8% higher than their monthly expenditures (230.5 USD). Dzud (extreme low temperature and heavy snowfall), diseases, pastures degradation, and poor fodder production and water availability during droughts are the crucial issues of herder livelihood in South Gobi and Khentii provinces. Therefore, it is suggested that government should support herders to improve their livelihood and reduce their economic losses because of diseases and extreme weather conditions.

Keywords | Hypothermia, Droughts, Livestock mortality, Economic loss, South Gobi, Khentii province, Mongolia