Prevalence of Bovine Clinical Mastitis and Farmer’s Awareness in and Around Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted to determine prevalence and awareness of farm owners from November, 2016 to April, 2017 in randomly selected dairy farms in and around Wolaita Sodo town. A total of 155 lactating cows of three breeds (local, Local-Holstein Frisian cross and exotic (Jersey) from twenty five dairy farms were considered for the study. The overall prevalence of bovine clinical mastitis was 5.1%. Among the variables included in the study only lactation stage and presence of teat end lesion had significant association with prevalence of bovine clinical mastitis (P<0.05). The questionnaire based interview of smallholder dairy farm owners/attendants about awareness of bovine mastitis showed serious gap about awareness on effect, clinical manifestations and subclinical mastitis. Hence, it is recommended to implement strategic extension program to control and prevention of the disease and the smallholder dairy farmers need awareness training to enhance production and productivity of productive life of the cow.