Productive and Reproductive Record Keeping in Low-to-Middle-Income Tropical Livestock Systems: Challenges and Perspectives

Tropical regions can vary according to geographical location, climatic conditions, socio-economic characteristics and the diversity of biological resources. In animal production systems in tropical regions, dairy cattle and/or dual-purpose farmers often struggle to maintain accurate records due to a multitude of factors. Low-to-middle-income farmers face challenges including financial constraints, limited access to veterinary services/technical consultation, limited awareness of available technologies, and the inability to implement them. These barriers hinder the adoption of effective herd management practices and preventive health measures to optimize production and health. Without proper record keeping, the limited information available may not accurately reflect the farm situation, and decision making could lead to adverse economic and environmental outcomes. Despite technological advancements that simplify data collection, analysis and interpretation, many tropical farms still encounter significant challenges in adopting these practices. The objective of the present scoping review is to provide an overview of the current status and to highlight the importance and necessity of collecting, maintaining, and interpreting records to achieve sustainable animal production systems in tropical regions.