Assessment of Dairy Farming in Three Districts of Orol\Iia Regio. " Central Ethiopia: Management, Reproductive and Prodctive Performance
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Date
2012-06-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
A cross sectional study was conducted with the aim of assessing dairy farming, with special emphasis on management, breed and breeding practices in three districts of Oromia region, central Ethiopia. The study covered 151 dairy farms from the three districts namely Adama. Lume and Ada'a. Data on farm management variables, feed resources and breed and breeding practices were collected by means of questionnaire together with farm inspection in a one visit interview. The main sources of feed for farms of Adama, Lume and Ada'a were crop residues and commercial feeds and supplements with the respective proportions of 100% to crop residues in all the farms and 98%, 92% and 98% to that of commercial feeds & supplements. It is conclude that high cost and scarcity of feeds are the major constraints of the dairy farm in the study areas, three types of breeds (local, cross and exotic breeds) and two types of breeding practices (Artificial insemination and natural mating) had recognized. According to the respondents the cross breed type and artificial insemination breeding practices were the predominant in all the farms of the study areas. The mean daily milk yield. lactation length, ages at first calving, numbers of services per conception and calving interval for local, cross and exotic breeds were 2.68, 10.70 and 10.57 liters, 6.52. 9.82 and 9.93 months, 51.85, 31.87 and 33.87 months, 1.56, 2.33 and 2.40 and 18.68, 15 .56 and 14.36 months respectively for the dairy farms of Adama, 2.00, 11.88 and 10.30 liters, 6.84, 9.03 and 8.90 months, 49.15, 33.7-l and 35.60 months, 1.57, 2.25 and 2.45 and 20.71. 15 .76 and 15.67 months respectively lor the dairy farms of Ada'a and to that of Lume dairy farms all these traits for indigenous and cross breeds were 2.33, and 11 .1 1 liters, 6.91 and 9.88 months, 51.00 and 39.59 months. 1.45 and 1.98 and 20.41 and 17.38 months respectively. There was significant variation between the three districts for the results of age at first calving of cross breeds which might be due to the difference in the level of management. Daily milk yield and lactation length were also significant (p<0.05) for bred types. Cross breed cows under all farms had a relative good reproductive and productive performance. Therefore establishment of new ones to cross breed cows should be encouraged by the government and nongovernment institutions with better technical assistance and recommended capacity building of farm owners.
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Adama, Ada'a, Breeding, Lume, management, Production