Vol. 6 · No. 2 · 2002

Irene Hoffmann

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Cattle are the basis of livelihood for pastoralists and agropastoralists in the northern parts of West Africa. They are used for milk, manure, meat and draught power, and they serve as savings and insurance. The composition of pastoral herds, particularly cattle, has often been analysed. Usually, the sex and age groups of individual herds, counted directly or assessed from interviews with the owner or herder, are recorded. Conclusions are then drawn from the herd structure on breeding and commercial strategies, as well as on the main goals of production and market integration. Results indicate that these parameters vary, depending on the specialisation of production in ecological niches or regions (Amanor 1995; FDLPCS 1992a, b; Sutter 1987; Vabi 1993). Cattle herds in the arid parts of West Africa are more specialised in the production of young stock, and their owners are mainly nomadic pastoralists. The herds contain a high percentage of reproductive females (over 45 percent), with a calving rate higher than 60 percent, and a commercial off-take of at least 11 percent. To lower mortality in a risky environment, these pastoralists sell young stock, particularly males, under the age of three. In contrast, herds in the semi-arid parts of West Africa belong to transhumant pastoralists or agropastoralists. Living in a more resource-endowed and less risky environment, such herds have a lower percentage of reproductive females (30-40 percent), a low calving rate, and a larger number of adult males over the age of six (24-63 percent). Besides milk, the production of mature males of heavy weight is a production goal that is related to favourable conditions of pasture and water and the farmers' demand for draught animals (Amanor 1995; Vabi 1993).