Breeding practices and traits preference in dairy cattle in Gedeo agroforestry of Ethiopia

The study was conducted to identify breeding practices and traits preferences of the dairy cattle producers in the southern part of Ethiopia. Representative sample households were selected by SRS (Simple Random Sampling) techniques. A cross-sectional survey with a structured questionnaire was used to collect the data on the purpose of keeping dairy cattle, herd composition, source of dairy cattle, trait preference, and breeding practices performed by the farmers. The data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS 27, and chi-square was used to compare categorical variables. The herd composition of the Bule district is significantly different from the rest of the districts in the mean number of calves, heifers, and bulls. The Yirgachefe district significantly differs in the mean number of cows compared to other districts. The breed preference of most farmers (81.67%) is cross-bred bulls (Jersey and Holstein Frisian). There are not enough bulls on the farms; only 21.7% of them have a breeding bull, and the primary sources of bulls in the study community are the grazing areas and the neighbors. Respondents preferred artificial insemination (96.1%) to natural mating. Milk yield, appearance, and genotype were important traits in selecting a dam, whereas genotype, appearance, and fast growth rate were the most preferred traits in sire ranking. The farmers' breeding objectives were to improve milk production and increase cash income. Therefore, establishing a village-based mating program for the genetic improvement of dairy cattle in the study area is recommended to overcome the shortage of bulls.