International Journal of Agricultural and Natural Sciences
E-ISSN: 2651-3617 15(3): 240-248, 2022
Research Article
REPRODUCTIVE AND PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY
CATTLES IN BAKO TIBE DISTRICT WEST SHOWA OROMIA
REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA
Chala Adugna, Birhane Mekete, Fayine Muluna
Ambo University, Department of Animal Science, Ambo, Ethiopia
Corresponding author:
E mail: chalaadugna3@gmail.com
(Received 01st April 2022; accepted 22th November 2022)
ABSTRACT. The study was conducted in the Bako Tibe district of West showa Zone, Ethiopia, to assess the
reproductive and productive performance of Dairy cattle in the study area. Multi-stage sampling techniques
were used to collect data on productive and reproductive performance. The collected data were analyzed
using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20. All statistical significances were tested at p < 0.05.
The overall mean of AFS, AFC, CI, DO, NSPC for both indigenous and cross breed dairy in study area were
41.25 month, 50.5, 24 month, 160.5 day, 1.78 and 20.95 month, 30, 16 month, 137 day, 1.7 respectively for
both indigenous and cross breed dairy cattle respectively. The productive performance of dairy cattle in study
area were Daily milk yield, lactation length, 1.26 litter, 6.58 month, and 5.9liter , 9.04 month for both
indigenous and cross breed dairy cattle in study area. Generally, the reproductive and productive performance
both indigenous and crossbreed dairy cattle is generally poor.
Keywords: Bako tibe, Agro ecology, productive performance, reproductive performance
INTRODUCTION
Ethiopia possesses a large livestock population in Africa with nearly 63 million cattle,
over 31 million sheep and 33 million goats, and 61 million chickens (1). Despite a high
livestock population and existing favourable environmental conditions, the current
livestock output of the country is still very low. This is associated with several complex and
inter-related factors such as inadequate feed and nutrition, widespread diseases, poor
genetic potential, market problems, the inefficiency of livestock development services
concerning credit, extension, marketing, and infrastructure (2).
This sector is a corner stone of the economic and social life of the people. Livestock is
an integral part of the agriculture and the contribution of live animals and their products to
the agricultural economy accounts for 40%, excluding the values of draught power, manure
and transport of people and products (3). The economic activity of Ethiopia mostly depends
on agriculture especially in rural and semi-urban parts of the country and the contribution
of livestock in this agricultural practice is unmeasurable. Livestock farming especially
dairy production is a major activity in urban and rural parts of Ethiopia either for home
consumption in the rural area mostly and for income generation (4).
Generally, the productive and reproductive performance of dairy cows in the country is
low when compared to other African countries. The low performance of crossbred dairy
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cows is due to different factors like low genetic makeup, feed cost, low quantity, and
quality of feed, disease, lack of extension service (5). The productive and reproductive
performance of cow-like daily milk yield, lactation length, lactation yield, age at first
calving, calving interval, days open, number of services per conception is low. These
performance traits are the most important factors in the dairy industry and profitability.
The productive and reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cattle are believed to be
higher than that of the local breed but the performance of different crossbreed cattle having
different exotic blood levels are different in the different farming systems of Ethiopian
highland both in production and reproduction but not well studied. Different numbers of
researches have been conducted in different parts of the countries to evaluate the
performance of crossbreed for different exotic blood level crossbreed of dairy cows in the
relatively controlled condition in urban and peri-urban dairy farming areas of the country
(6).
The performance of dairy cows mostly depends on the breed’s reproductive efficiency
and reproductive performance is an outstanding and important trait in dairy cattle
production (7). The knowledge of the reproductive and productive performance of dairy
cattle is an important point for the success of sustained dairy production in Ethiopia and
there is limited information on the productive and reproductive performance of dairy cattle
in western showa zone particularly Bako tibe district. Therefore, the objective of this study
is to assess the productive and reproductive performance of dairy cattle in Bako tibe district
western showa zone Oromia regional start, Ethiopia.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Description of The Study Area
The study was conducted in Bako Tibe District, West Shewa Zone, and Oromia
Regional State, Ethiopia(figure1). The district is located 251 km west of Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia. The district has 28 rural kebeles and four urban kebeles with a total of 32 kebeles.
Out of the 32 kebeles, 14 are located in mid-altitude while the rest of 18 is located in the
lowland area. The average elevation of the district is 1610 m.a.s.l and is located at 37.0575′
longitude and 09.015′ latitude. Geographically, it is categorized into three agro-ecologies,
lowland (58%), mid-highland (37%), and a little bit highlands (5%) with an annual rainfall
of 1200-1300mm and a temperature range of 13.8-27.80C. The soil type of the district is red
soil (55%), loam soil (25%), grey soil (15%), and clay soil (5%) with acidity (PH5.3-6) (8).
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Fig. 1. Map of the study area
Sampling Techniques
In this study, multi-stage sampling techniques were used. In the first stage, the Bako
Tibe district was selected purposely for its potential in dairy cattle production. In the
second stage, the district was stratified based on agroecology into mid-land and lowland
altitudes. In the third stage, five kebeles were selected purposively based on agro-ecology
representation, dairy production potential, and accessibility out of 32 kebeles (two for mid-
attitude and three representing lowland) from the district. The selected kebeles include from
mid-altitude Gajokuye, Walketuma, and lowland-Danbidemi, Tulu sengota, and Bako 02.
In the fourth stage, 138 representative household farmers (42 from mid-altitude and 96
from lowland) who owned at least one dairy cow were selected from identified lists of dairy
producers using a simple random sampling technique, based on proportional to the
population size of the selected kebeles. The sample size for collecting quantitative and
qualitative data for this research was determined by using (9) formula.
n =__N_
1+N (e) 2Where, N= stands for the total number of the targeted population
e =stands for maximum variability or margin of error 8 % (0.08)
1=stands for the probability of the event occurring.
Therefore, n = _1180_
1+1180(0.08) 2
Thus, a total of 138 households were interviewed.
Sources and Methods of Data Collection
For the study both primary and secondary data were collected to attain the objective of
the study. Primary data were collected by using structured semi structured questionnaire,
focus group discussion and field observation. Semi structured questionnaires were prepared
and translated into local language, and administered to collect relevant information for the
study by trained enumerators who were indigenous to the community with close
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supervision of researcher. Focus group discussions were held with clan or village leaders,
district agricultural experts (extension agents), local dairy cow owners and elderly female
and male member of the society who are known to have better knowledge on the dairy
production status of the area. Secondary data were also collected from written and
unpublished documents of agricultural office of each respective districts, books and
journals.
Data Analysis
Data collected were coded and entered into Microsoft Excel spreadsheet 2007 and analysed
using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The agro-ecologies were
compared using the model indicated below. All statistical significances were tested at p <
0.05. The results were summarized using descriptive statics, tables, percentages, mean and
standard error.
The following model was used to analyse productive and reproductive performance
Yfk= μ + df+ efk
Where; Yfk = the observed productive and reproductive performance; μ = the overall mean;
df = the effect of the fth location (Agro ecology) (1. Midland, 2. Lowland) and efk =
random residual error.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Age at First Service
Age at first services (AFS) is the age at which heifers attain body condition and sexual
maturity for accepting services for the first time and it is also considered as age at puberty.
The average ages at first services for local and cross breed heifers in the study area were
41.25 ± 1.3and 20.95 ± 0.06 months, respectively (Table 2). It was noted that local heifers
in mid-altitude reached sexual maturity earlier and had significantly (p<0.05) lower age at
first services (40.5±0.89months) than in low land areas (42±1.67months). This difference
might be associated with management in terms of feeding and housing and climatic
condition. However, there was no significant difference in AFS for crossbred cows (20.7
±0.07vs. 21.2±0.05 months for midland and low land, respectively between the two agro-
ecologies of the study area. This might be due to the same genetic makeup of the animals
and farmers might have given similar better management practices.
The current value of average AFS observed for local cows is closer to the finding of (10)
who reported that AFS for local cows was 41.62 months in the selected urban and peri-
urban dairy production systems of West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State. The current
values of AFS for crossbred cows were also less than with reported values b(11) where
AFS was 24.30±8.01 months for crossbreed dairy cows in Jima Town. This may be due to
lack of proper management practice like feed and feeding, health care and controlled
breeding.
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Table 1. Kebeles and contact farmers covered in Bako district
Agro-ecology Selected Target population(N) Sample household(n)
Kebeles
Male Female Total Male Female Total
Midland GajoKuyi 106 20 126 13 2 15
Walqixuma 210 22 232 24 3 27
Total 316 42 158 37 5 42
Lowland Bako Town 300 150 450 35 18 53
D/Dima 211 21 232 25 2 27
Tulu Sengota 122 18 140 14 2 16
Total 633 189 822 74 22 96
Total 949 231 1180 111 27 138
Age at First Calving
The overall mean of age at first calving (AFC) of local and crossbred heifers in the study
area were 50.5 ±0.4 and 30 ±0.05 months, respectively (Table 2). Agro-ecologically, the
average AFC for local cows were 49.5±0.09 and 51.5±0.69 months in mid-altitude and
lowland, respectively and there were significantly different (p<0.05) due to climatic
conditions and better feeding and another management system in the midland area of agro-
ecology. With, regarding the agro-ecology of the study area, AFC for cross-bred cows were
29.5± 0.02 and 30.5± 0.07 months for mid-latitude and low land areas, respectively and
there were no significant differences between the two agro-ecology in the district (Table 2).
The present findings of mean age at first calving for crossbred cows was lower than the
findings (12) who reported 36.4 ±1.7 months in Oromia Rregional State of Arsi Zone in
Assela town. The present findings in the mean age at first calving for local heifers was
similar to the reported value(13) where AFC for local heifers was 50.59 months in the
Dandi district. The existence of difference may be due to constraints like shortage of feed,
lack AI technician and veterinary service.
Table 2. Average mean of reproductive performance of dairy cattle
Agro ecologies
Mid land Low land Over all mean P-value
Breed Mean±SE Mean±SE Mean±SE
Local Cow
AFS (Month) 40.5±0.89 42±1.67 41.25 ±1.3 0.04
AFC (Month) 49.5±0.09 51.5±0.69 50.5 ±0.4 0.02
CI (Month) 20 ± 0.10 28 ± 0.07 24±0.09 0.001
DO (day) 160 ± 0.08 161 ±.15 160.5±0.08 0.001
NSPC (times) 1.66 ± 0.14 1.9 ±0.09 1.78 ±0.11 0.001
Cross breed
AFS (Month) 20.7 ±0.07 21.2±0.05 20.95 ±0.06 0.09
AFC (Month) 29.5 ±0.02 30.5 ±0.07 30 ±0.05 0.07
CI (Month) 14 ±0.35 18±0.08 16±0.38 0.005
DO (day) 135 ±0.02 140 ±.073 137.5±0.09 0.003
NSPC (times) 1.6 ±.06 1.7 ±.06 1.7 ±0.06 0.02
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Calving Interval
The calving interval is the period between two consecutive parturitions and ideally,
should be between 12 to 13 months. Calving interval (CI) is one of the major components
of reproductive performance that influences dairy production in the areas. The overall
average calving interval for local and crossbred cows in the study areas were 24±0.09 and
16±0.38 months, respectively (Table 2). Concerning agroecology, the average calving
interval for local cows in the mid-altitude and lowland agroecology were 20 ± 0.10, 28 ±
0.07, respectively, and was significantly different between agroecology. In the case of
crossbreed cows, the mean CI were 14 ±0.35 and 18±0.08 for mid-latitude and low land
agroecology, respectively.
The current finding of CI for locally bred in the study areas was closer to report t of(14)
who reported 24.94 months for the indigenous breed in the North Shoa Zone of Oromia
Regional State.
Days Open
The average days open (DO) for local and crossbreed cows in the study area were
presented in Table 13. Days open is the period between calving and conception in cows.
The average days open for local and crossbreed cows were was160.5±0.08 and 137.5±0.09
days, respectively (Table 13). The average days open for local and cross-bred cows was
significantly (P<0.05) different between the two agro-ecologies in the district.
The current findings in average days open observed for local and crossbred cows was
lower than with the finding of (15) who reported mean days open of 340.3 and 155 days for
local and crossbred cows, respectively in selected urban and peri-urban dairy production
systems of West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State. The current figure for crossbred cows
was also lower than the values reported by (16) where days open was 155 days for
crossbreed dairy cows in Jima Town Oromia Regional State. The reason for lower days
open in the study areas might be an indication of better management practices in terms of
nutrition, supplementary feed, and better condition to overcome heat detection in the
current study areas.
Number of Services Preconception (NSPC)
The average NSPC for local and crossbreed cows in study areas were presented in Table
2. The number of services per conception (NSPC) is the number of services (natural or
artificial) required for successful conception. The average numbers of services per
conception for local and crossbreed cows in study areas were 1.78 ±0.11 and 1.7 ±0.06,
respectively. The average number of services per conception for local and crossbred was
significantly (P<0.05) different between the two agro-ecologies where it was higher in the
low land areas for both local and crossbred cows than in mid-altitude agroecology. This
might be due to more environmental impact in low land agroecology than mid-altitude.
The overall mean NSPC for both local and crossbreed cows in the present study were in
line with the result of (17) where NSPC were 1.7 and 1.8 for local and cross breed cows,
respectively in the highlands of Ethiopia.
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Productive Performance of Dairy Cattle
Daily Milk Yield
The overall mean daily milk yield for local and crossbred cows in study areas were 1.26
±0.06 and 5.9±0.17 liters/cow/day, respectively. There is a significant difference (P<0.05)
between the two agro-ecologies and bred of the study area (Table 3). These variations could
be attributed to differences in feeding and other management practices. The present finding
for local and crossbreed cows in the study area were similar to the findings of (19) who
reported an average milk yield of 1.0 liter for local Arsi cows and 5.8 liters for crossbred
cows in the East Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State. The current finding in milk yield of
local cows was lower than the result of (18) who reported 3.4 liters of milk yielding Noth
Shoa Zone, Oromia ReginalState, Ethiopia. But, the milk yield of crossbred cows in the
current study was slightly higher than the report of(20) where it was 5.5 liters in the above-
mentioned places.
Lactation Length
The average lactation length (12 months) for local and crossbreed dairy cows in study
areas were presented in Table 14. The overall mean lactation length for local and
crossbreed cows was found to be 6.58±0.09and 9.04±0.31 months, respectively. Agro
ecologically, the average lactation lengths for local cows were 7.08 ± 0.0 and 6.09±
0.08months in mid-altitude and lowland areas, respectively. As well, the average lactation
length for cross-bred cows in mid-attitude and lowland areas was 9.03±0.05 vs. 9.06 ±
0.16months, respectively. The result of current study is lower than the report of (21) who
reported that the lactation length of indigenous dairy cattle was 8.21 month in sidama Zone
,southern Ethiopia.
Table 3. Average daily milk yield per cow and lactation length
Cattle breed Mid land Low land Overall P-value
Mean +SE Mean +SE mean+SE
Local cows
Daily milk yield per cow(liters) 1.40±.06 1.12± .06 1.26 ±0.06 0.007
Lactation lengt(Month) 7.08 ± 0.01 6.09± 0.08 6.58 ±0.09 0.001
Crossbreed cows
Daily milk yield(liters) 6.67 ±.106 5.07 ±..23 5.9±0.17 0.001
Lactation length (Month) 9.03±.05 9.06 ±.16 9.04±0.31 0.07
Note:-Mean +SE= Mean and standard Error, P-value (P<0.05) =significant, P-value
(P>0.05)= Not significant
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CONCLUSION
In general, the reproductive and reproductive performance of both indigenous and
crossbreed in the study area is poor. This poor performance of both crossbreed and local
breed require the planned technical and institutional intervention for support service, for
appropriate breeding program, improved veterinary and AI technician and improved forage
production. Improvement of improved forage production and expansion to decrease feed
shortage is encouraged.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest
Data availability statement
The data will be provided upon the request of the corresponding author
Declaration of funding
The research has been funded by Ethiopian ministry of education to collect and process data.
Acknowledgement
We thank the Ethiopian ministry of education for funding the research and all concerned body who have
contribution for the success of this research.
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