Abstract
PURPOSE: The reproductive and production performance of dairy cows determines the profitability of a dairy farm. METHOD: A questionnaire survey was used to assess reproductive performance and husbandry practices by using 100 randomly selected animal owners. RESULT: Seventy-nine percent of animal owners involved were men, ages between 30 and 60. Their education was as follows: 26% were illiterate, 67% in primary school and 7% in secondary school. Ninety-five percent of them managed their animals extensively and used natural mating and breeding practices (75%). AFS in months were 46.83 ± 0.65 in Ada-Buke Warego, 46.00 ± 1.36 in Hagalo-Tulam, 47.08 ± 0.99 in Dicho Aba-Garmama and 47.29 ± 0.51 in Waligalte. AFC in months were 56.68 ± 0.97 in Ada-Buke Warego, 58.00 ± 1.36 in Hagalo-Tulam, 57.23 ± 1.41 in Dicho Aba-Garmama and 56.24 ± 1.13 in Waligalte. ANSPCs were 1.85 ± 0.08 in Ada-Buke Warego, 1.67 ± 0.14 in Hagalo-Tulam, 1.54 ± 0.14 in Dicho Aba-Garmama and 2.00 ± 0.10 in Waligalte. The mean length of CI in months was 30.88 ± 0.90 in Ada Buke Warego, 29.00 ± 1.68 in Hagalo-Tulam, 28.62 ± 1.62 in Dicho Aba-Garmama and 31.06 ± 1.04 in Waligalte. The average year of longevity was 9.22 ± 0.7 in Ada-Buke Warego, 9.08 ± 0.8 in Hagalo-Tulam, 9.31 ± 0.13 in Dicho Aba-Garmama and 9.21 ± 0.8 in Waligalte, but there is no significant association (p ≥ 0.05). AFC in months was 48.00 ± 0.00 in local and 37.20 ± 1.30 in crossbreeds. ANSPC was 1.92 ± 0.06 in locals and 1.10 ± 0.10 in hybrids. AFC for Horro and crossbred dairy cattle were 57.73 ± 0.59 and 48.00 ± 0.00 months, respectively. The mean length of CI was 30.53 ± 0.67 and 29.40 ± 1.99 months in natives and crossbreeds, respectively. The average year of longevity was 9.22 ± 0.05 and 9.10 ± 0.10 years for local and hybrids, respectively. ANSPC for natural mating and AI were 1.92 ± 0.05 and 1.10 ± 0.10, respectively, with significant association (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The reproductive performance of dairy cows in the study area was low, which required the improvement of husbandry practices.