Abstract:
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
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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.