Thesis and Dissertations

Prevalence of Mastitis and its Associated Risk Factors Local and Crossbred Dairy Cows of Small Holder Farmers in Machakel District, North West Ethiopia

2022-01-17T11:41:19Z

Prevalence of Mastitis and its Associated Risk Factors Local and Crossbred Dairy Cows of Small Holder Farmers in Machakel District, North West Ethiopia Sewnet Kidanu Cross sectional study was conducted in dairy cows from randomly selected households of Machakel District. A total of 375 lactating dairy cows were selected using systematic random sampling technique.CMT was used to screen subclinical mastitis. A Structured questionnaire pre- tested containing close-ended questions were used to collect data regarding the various potential risk factors of mastitis. Binary logistic regression model was used to determine the association between mastitis and its risk factors. Variables with P-value less than 0.25 at individual level (bivariate/univariate) analysis at 95% confidence interval were exported to the multivariate analysis. The existence of association was declared with 95% confidence interval at p value <0.05. A total of 375 lactating dairy cows were included in the study. The mean age of cows was 2.9 ±2.35 years and majorities (258, 68.8%) of them were ≤4 years of age. Of the total 375 cows examined during the study period, 146 (39%) of the cows were positive for mastitis. Out of these, 9% (33/375) and 30 % (113/375) showed clinical and subclinical mastitis, respectively. The quarter level prevalence was found to be 16.1% (242/1500); from which, 12.2 % (183/1441) and 3.9% (59/1500) were found to be of subclinical form and blind teat, respectively. Type of breed(Cross compared to local) [AOR= 2.1, 95%CI =(1.33, 3.32)], stage of lactation (>6 months compared to ≤4 months) [AOR=2.46, 95% CI=[1..35, 4.48], type of housing (Shared barn compared to Separate barn) [AOR=1.94, 95% CI=(1.11, 3.38)], and the practice of washing cow’s udder (Not washed compared to Washed) [AOR=1.65, 95% CI=[1.06, 2.56] were significantly associated with mastitis The prevalence of mastitis has to be reduced to a lowest level possible. Though the finding from this research was somewhat consistent with some and lower than the other previously conducted research findings globally and in Ethiopia as well, vii the prevalence of mastitis dairy cows of Machakel district is still a threat to milk production and public health

MILK PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL AND CROSSBRED DAIRY COWS IN WORETA TOWN, SOUTH GONDAR ZONE OF AMHARA REGION

2022-01-17T11:29:08Z

MILK PRODUCTION AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF LOCAL AND CROSSBRED DAIRY COWS IN WORETA TOWN, SOUTH GONDAR ZONE OF AMHARA REGION Tigist Tarekegn The objective of this study was to evaluate milk production and reproductive performance of local and crossbred dairy cows in Woreta Town, South Gondar Zone of Amhara region. Both primary and secondary data were collected for the study. The primary data was collected through survey and monitoring of dairy cows with the different exotic genotypes of Holstein Friesian (HF) (0%, 25%, 50%, 62.5%, and75%). A total of 124 respondents were selected for questionnaire administration; and 120 crossbred with different proportions of genotypes and 30 local breed cows were selected for monitoring of milk production. Milk yield was recorded two times a week for a period of ten months (August 2020 – May 2021) by a trained hired enumerator. To tabulate the consistency of survey data and gather additional information’s, focus group discussion, and key informant interview were conducted. The survey data was analyzed by SPSS (version 23), while the monitoring data of milk yield was analyzed by the General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of SAS (9.1). Rank type and categorical data were analyzed by using the Index method. Based on the survey result, about (58.89%) participants were reported as they kept crossbred cows; and the overall local and crossbred cows holding were 1.57±0.38 and 2.03±0.54, respectively. About 47.34%, 23.60% and 29.06% of the respondents were reported as they clean their hands thoroughly, sometimes wash and didn’t wash during milking, respectively. Farmers indicated that they targeted morning milk for selling to urban consumers (69.23%), to cooperatives (21.85%), and for home consumption (8.92%). To extend the shelf life and improve the flavour of the milk (mainly the milk collected at night), milk producers of the study area reported as they practiced smoking of milk utensils by using Woira (Olea africana), Girawa (Vernonia spp), and Abalo (Terminalia brownii). The milking and milk handling utensils used in Woreta town were Jerrycan, Calabash (Qill), and Mazzican. According to the respondents report, the overall average age at first service (AFS) for respective local and crossbred dairy heifers were 40.24±4.37 and 21.17± 2.21 months; age at first calving (AFC) were 49.77±4.37 and 30.07±2.17 months; calving xiii interval (CI) were 26.04±3.89 and 13.33±2.84 months; and the number of services per consumption (NSC) were 1.13±0.41 and 1.59±1.02, respectively. The overall average daily milk yield for respective local and crossbred cattle in Woreta town was 2.75±0.62 and 4.28±0.18 liters; and the average lactation length was 215±14.28 and 287±8.24 days. In the monitoring data, the overall average milk yield was 3.72±0.07, 3.89±0.06, and 7.63±0.12 liters for the morning, evening, and total milk yield per day, respectively. Based on the current finding, total milk yield per day was significantly (p<0.05) increased with increased exotic genotypes up to 62.5%. Parity had also shown a significant effect (p<0.05) on the milk yield and matured cows with 6 and 7 parity had better milk yield per day. The stage of lactation is also a source of variation in milk yield. Higher milk yield was reported in mid- lactation stage, and there is a significant effect in milk yield across the stage of lactation (p<0.05). The major milk marketing channels were selling of milk from producer to consumer (32.6%); from producers to hotels/cafeterias and consumers (41.3%), and from producers to milk cooperatives and consumers (26.1%). The major dairy production challenges were shortage in the availability of feed, absence of milk market, and disease and parasite in their order of importance. It is concluded that based on the milk yield performance of different genotypes, it is recommended that exotic genotypes should not exceed 62.5% on which holding above this genotype levels will safer the animals from the management practice they demand. Improvement of the management system based on the genotypes can avoid variability in productivity and milk yield.

CHARACTERIZATION OF CATTLE FATTENING SYSTEM AND BODY CONFORMATION OF BEEF CATTLE IN BAHIR DAR SPECIAL ZONE, AMHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

2022-01-17T11:19:11Z

CHARACTERIZATION OF CATTLE FATTENING SYSTEM AND BODY CONFORMATION OF BEEF CATTLE IN BAHIR DAR SPECIAL ZONE, AMHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA Agerensh Mekuriaw The study was conducted in the urban and peri-urban areas of Bahir Dar special zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, with the objectives of describing the cattle fattening system, and characterizing the conformation traits of fattening cattle in the area. Data on the fattening systems were collected from 112 cattle fatteners (72 from peri- urban and 40 fatteners from urban areas) who have experience of cattle fattening using a semi-structured questionnaire. The beef cattle conformational traits measurement was carried out on fattening cattle in selected farms under fattener’s management condition. Twelve farms, among those used for the interview, were used for the purpose of measuring body conformation animals’ performance. A total of 60 animals (30 from peri-urban farms and 30 from urban farms) were randomly included based on the numbers of cattle on the farm, willingness of fatteners and fattening system. The survey data was analyzed and summarized using descriptive statistics and index ranking. Conformational trait data were analyzed using the General Linear Model Procedure of SAS 9.1. The results showed that the overall mean family size, age of household heads, landholding per household were 8.43, 42.31 years, and 0.77 hectares, respectively. The periurban of the respondents hold cattle for draft power (index = 0.40). The respondents prefer intact and matured bulls in the urban (100%) and peri-urban (93%) areas. The respondents, on average, fatten three times a year (47.3%) with a mean number of 8.08 fattening cattle. The main feed sources in the peri-urban and urban areas were crop residue (index = 0.26) and agro-industrial by products (index = 0.63), respectively. Most of the cattle fatteners select their fattening cattle based on health status (index 0.19) and sex (index 0.18). The mean initial and final body weight of fattening cattle were 348.75kg and 425.33 kg, respectively. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in final body weight and initial body weight between weight groups. The quantitative measure of conformational trait of beef cattle reared under farm management based on ICAR guidelines for conformation recording of dairy cattle, beef cattle and dairy goats (ICAR,2017) due to these the overall least square means and standard error value of body conformation trait of fattening cattle on Body length, Back length, Chest width, Thurlwidth, heart girth, Body depth, Chest depth, Height at withers, Height at rump, Rounding in rips, and, body weight measuring in the peri-urban and urban study area were also showed p<0.05, expected body length, chest width, height at rump, and wither height. The correlation coefficient showed that the live weight was highly correlated with HG compared to other measurements (r=0.839). To meet the ever increasing demand for fattening cattle and the benefits of the fattener it is recommended to support both urban and peri-urban beef cattle fattener by updating fattening practice through increased the extension service and announce measuring body conformation of beef cattle for estimating live body weight.

EGG AND MEAT QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF LOCAL CHICKENS AND COMMERCIAL BREEDS IN DANGLA DISTRICT OFAWI ZONE, AMHARA, ETHIOPIA

2021-10-15T06:47:44Z

EGG AND MEAT QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF LOCAL CHICKENS AND COMMERCIAL BREEDS IN DANGLA DISTRICT OFAWI ZONE, AMHARA, ETHIOPIA Genanew Atinkut A study was conducted in selected five administrate kebeles of Dangla district, located in Awi zone of Amhara National Regional State (ANRS), Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to evaluate egg and meat quality attributes of local chicken and exotic breeds. The study was conducted through questionnaires survey and laboratory analysis. The external and internal egg quality evaluations were done on 150 eggs collected from farm gate and local markets. The eggs were collected from different breed hens namely; local, Bovan Brown and Sasso T-44. Each breed contributed 50 eggs for laboratory analysis. A total of 67 small scale chicken producers from five administrative kebeles (1 urban, 1 peri urban and 3 rural) were considered for the survey. The research finding revealed that small scale chicken production seems to be an important economic activity with overall mean flock size/HH 148.5±69.6.All of the small scale chicken producers (100%) have practice with supplementary feeding with difference feed sources. The highest proportion of the respondents, 80.24% were used separate house constructed for poultry. According to respondent, duration of eggs storage before marketing were one week, two weeks and three weeks,6.11%,35.56% and 58.33% respectively. The major challenges/constraint of small scale chicken production in the study area were, prevalence of disease (55.22%), lack of market (14.93),lack of capital (11.94%), incidence of predator (4.48), lack of land (10.45%) and shortage of feed (2.98%). The result of the study indicated that mean values for egg weight, egg height, egg width, yolk height, and yolk weight, were significantly different (p<0.000) higher in Sasso T-44. Mean values for egg shape index, Haugh unit, albumen height, albumen weight, shell weight, shell thickness, and shell ratio were significantly different (p<0.004) higher in Bovan Brown. Yolk color and yolk albumen ratio were significantly different (p<0.045) higher in local breeds. There was no statistically significant difference (p>0.05) in albumen ratio and yolk among those breeds