STUDY ON EFFICIENCY OF ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION AND BREEDING PRACTICES OF DAIRY CATTLE IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF WOLAITA ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study was conducted in Boloso Sore,Damot Gale,Humbo districts and Soddo town in Wolaita zone. The study was aimed to evaluate the efficiency of estrus synchronization and to assess the breeding practices of dairy cattle in the selected districts.The study data was collected using questionnaire survey, focused group discussion, retrospective data for estrus synchronization.The total of 196 synchronization beneficiaries were randomly selected to be participated in the study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution,cross tabulation, chi-Square test and index for ranking were applied.The result from the survey indicated that the mean herdsize of cattle per householdwas 3.15±0.12, 3.34±0.18,3.37±0.15 and 3.48±0.18 in Boloso Sore,Damot Gale, Humbo districts and Soddo town,respectively. The main purpose of rearing cattle weremilk followed by the source of income and asset accumulation. Natural pasture and crop residue were the major feed source of dairy cattle in the study areas. The system of feeding in wet and dry seasons significantly different between districts and town. Moreover, in the study areas cattle are housed together with the family except in Soddo town.Milk production, appearance,family history and growth rate were the most important criteria farmers used for selection of heifer. Most of (77.6 %) the farmers were aware about problem of inbreeding. The mean milk production per cow per day forlocalcow was1.72,1.69, 1.52 and 2.48 liters where as for crossbred was 5.08, 5.48, 4.94 and 8.13 liters in Boloso Sore, Damot Gale, Humbo districts and Soddo town,respectively; with the overall average lactation length of localand cross cows was 7.32 and 7.76 respectively.Age at first service of female(43.02and 29.61)months for local and crossbred cows, respectively. Calving interval was 22.43and 18.87 months for local and crossbred cows,respectively.As reported by 89.8% of farmers in three districts and Soddo town, regular provision of AI was not available all the time. Majority (57.1%) of farmers in the study areas took their cows or heifers to AI centers when they observe signs of heat from their cows/heifers while the others 42.9% of dairy cattle owners call to them via phone. All the investigated districts have shown a high response rate; relatively, the highest response rate was shown for Soddo town (89.46%). Regarding the breed effect, crossbred animals have shown the highest response rate (87.12%).As a result, a 30.09% to 45.22% pregnancy rate was obtained across the study districts. The highest and lowest pregnancy rate was observed in Soddo town and Boloso Sore district respectively. The pregnancy rate of local and cross breed was 26.32% and 47.89% respectively.According to the current study, 20.59% to 35.99% of the birth rate was recorded with the highest values obtained for Soddo town and the lowest in Damot Gale district. The overall perception of farmers for estrus synchronization was low to very good in the study areas.Opportunities reported for AI and synchronization of dairy production in the study areas were availability of high cattle population, good market demand for milk and milk products, government interest to improve dairy productivity; whereas shortage of inputs, shortage of AI technicians, inconsistent of the service are some of challenges reported by the farmers. Thuthe observed response and conception rates of animals following estrus synchronization can be rated as minimal success. Therefore, appropriate intervention should be taken to improve it. Furthermore, to improve and utilize the dairy potential of the study areas the identified challenges related with AI should be considered with a due attention.