Production Performances of Holstein Friesian Crossbred Dairy Cows in Hadiya Zone, (Southern Ethiopia)

This study was conducted to assess productive performances of crossbred (Holstein-Friesian) dairy cows and factors affecting their performances in Shashogo and Anlemo distinct of Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select district and kebeles. A total of 196 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed with semi-structured and structured questionnaire to obtain information on the management practices of farmers, productive performances of crossbred dairy cows. The data were analyzed using the general model of SAS version 9.2. Chi-square test was carried out to assess the statistical significance among categorical variables. Pro LSD test was used to identify a significant difference between districts and seasons mean. Mean herd size of crossbred (HF) dairy cows for Shashogo and Anlemo per households was 4.74 ± 0.114 TLU and 3.63 ± 0.115 TLU, respectively. The major feed resources were natural pasture, crop residues, and crop-after math, concentrate feeds, improved forages and non-conventional feeds, whereas zero-grazing/stall feeding, semi-grazing and free grazing system practiced in both districts. The major sources of water in the study area were river, wells, ponds and tap water. The overall means ± SE of milk yield per day/cow, lactation length and lactation milk yield was 7.61 ± 0.19 liters, 8.99 ± 0.14 months and 2057.16 litres, respectively. In the study period the main constraints were Shortage of feeds, diseases, poor management practices, Lack of services, like Seasonal fluctuation are the main factors hindering dairy productive and reproductive performances in the study areas. Generally, productive performances obtained in current study were low. Therefore, the Sustainable extension service should be established to improve feed resources and management practices in the study area.