Review on Dairy Cattle Reproductive Performance Under Different Production System in Ethiopia

Abstract

Reproductive performance of dairy cattle under different production system was reviewed in Ethiopia. The reproductive performance parameter of dairy cattle like age at first serves (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), Day opens (DO) and number of service per conception (NSPC) under different production system was quite different. Age at first calving was in Pastoral (43.5±1.5) months, Agro-pastoral (43.5±1.5) and Urban (33.2±0.79) months. Days open, for local breeds were in Pastoral (141±7 days), Agro-pastoral (141±7 days) and urban (185±51.2. The calving interval for local breed were in pastoral (14.63±10 months), agro-pastoral (14.36± 1.03 months) and pre-urban (22.17±0.79 months) whereas for cross dairy cows were, urban 14±0.56 months, pre-urban 15.820±.41months and intensive12.42±5.9 months. The number of service per conception were for Horro x Jersey (1.8), Horro (2.1) Borana (1.6), Fogera (1.28), Friesian x Zebu (1.56), respectively. This difference was due different production system. It could be concluded that proper management in terms of nutrition, health care, housing, heat detection, timely insemination would improve reproductive performance under different production system.  Beside this, to boost dairy cattle reproductive performance, intensification of dairy cattle production should be promoted in Ethiopia to meet increasing demand for dairy products and to reduce imports of dairy commodities. Thus, all coordinated works of all concerned bodies should be in place to boost the production and productivity and thereby enhance the livelihood of the dairy farmers.