Interviewing cows
The technique of 'interviewing' cows involves the livestock owner providing information about the number and fate of calves born to individual animals. It was found to be a useful method for determining reliable estimates of survival and mortality rates among livstock. In this exercise which was carried out in southern Ethiopia, farmers' cows were interviewed to obtain information about cattle productivity and disease patterns. The information was used to improve the design of animal health care and livestock management programmes in the area.