Sheko Cattle: Distribution, Management and Performance in Bench-Maji Zone of SNNPRS
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2008-06
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Abstract
Retrospective and participatory studies were conducted from November 2007 to May 2008 to study the distribution, management and performance of Sheko cattle in lowland, mid land and highland agro ecological zones of Bench Maji Zone, South Western Ethiopia. 120 households owning Sheko cattle were selected from each agro ecological zone (lowland, midland and highland), which form a total of 360 households for the retrospective study. For participatory approach, a total of 9 groups, each of which was made of 10 households, were included (3 groups from each agro-ecology). Retrospective data on reproductive performance indicators (AFC, CI, and NSC), milk yield (daily milk yield and lactation length) and general information including the geographical distribution of Sheko cattle, herd size and composition, herd dynamics, housing practice, feed resource and feeding practice and breeding practice were collected from the households by questionnaire survey. In the participatory approach assessment of farmers group were carried out to obtain information on distinctive features, merits and demerits, geographical distribution of Sheko cattle, diseases affecting Sheko cattle and constraints associated with Sheko cattle. The results showed that the cattle are found mainly in Sheko Districts with relative sacristy in Debub Bench, Semien Bench and Shei Bench. The northern and southern limit approximates to Kaffa Zone and Sudanese boarder. All farmers house their animals during night and part of the day. Mating is natural and hand mating was practiced by 87.7% of the house holds. The overall mean value (N=360) of AFC, CI, NSC, and Lactation length were 55.13 months, 463.67 days, 1.35 and 10.66 months, respectively. There was significant variation between the three agroecologies in the average values of Daily milk yield at different stages of lactation, age at first calving and calving interval (p<0.001). Sheko cattle in the highland areas had the highest milk yield at all stages of lactation followed by those in the midland. Age at first calving and calving interval were shorter for Sheko cattle in the highland areas followed by those in the midland areas. Colostrums feeding were exercised on average for 4.05 days. New born calves stayed with their dam for an average of 7.38
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days and they stayed at house until they start grazing in the 3rd month. The main supplementary feed sources to new born calves are green grasses (89.2%) and a combination of green grasses and legume pastures (10%). Almost all the respondents (99.2%) and the majority of them (76.4%) rear all female and male born to reach puberty, respectively, for breeding, if they show good growth. None of the respondents had separate housing for calves, rather share the family house. The reported distinct feature of Sheko as agreed by participatory groups were small body size, polled ness, folded eyelids, and humplessness ranked in that order showing no significant difference between the agro-ecologies (p>0.05). The most important merit of Sheko cattle as identified by the participatory groups were high milk yield and good traction power ranked in that order showing no statistically significant difference between the agroecologies. The groups in the participatory discussion agreed regardless of agroecology that the major areas where Sheko are distributed in Sheko, Sheibench, Semien Bench, Debub Bench and Kaffa and Shaka Zone ranked in that order. Among the diseases mentioned that affect Sheko cattle, lameness and anthrax were ranked as the 1st and 2nd important diseases. The most important constrains of Sheko cattle production were sparse distribution, absence of conservation efforts and declining interest of the community for Sheko cattle due to their aggressive behavior ranked in that order.
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Cattle, Distribution, Management, Milk Yield, Reproductive Performance, Sheko