Breeding Technology Assessment at Small Holder Dairy Cattle Production Level in Selected Districts of HYDYA ZONE, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted from May to October 2014 in selected districts of Soro woreda, Hdiya Zone, Southern, Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to assess breeding technology on dairy cattle production at small holder level.  To under taken the study, purposive sampling method was used. Data was obtained from both primary and secondary sources and the collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics.

The study was found 398.76 average total livestock and 350.3 cattle per households in TLU. The study showed that only 39% of the respondents used artificial insemination for breeding their dairy cattle while 61% did not use. Respectively,42 %, 23%, 19% and 16% of respondents have said artificial insemination has advantage over natural mating because artificial insemination can use in accelerating  introduction of new genetics, has low cost in comparison  of  bull price, no need of bull management and low disease transmission. On the other hand, due to heat period of cow could be easily detected by bull (66%) and no need of technicians support (34%) the respondents have said natural mating has advantage over artificial insemination. However, of the interviewed respondents, only 32% used synchronization for artificial insemination work, the reason for not used was due to heat detection problem (28%), cow/heifer pregnant detection problem (22%) and cow is reach two months after calving (unfitting period with professional man availability time) (18%).

To detect oestrus of cow/heifer for artificial insemination service, the farmers had used different methods such as observing mucus discharge from cow, mounting to others animals, allows(want) to be mounted by others, decrease feed intake and milk yield drops and swelling and redness of vulva. The repeat heat (not conception at first service) (56%) and artificial insemination station is far from farmer areas (44%) were the most challenges for artificial insemination service;  followed by shortage of inputs (liquid nitrogen and semen), delivered sex was male, AI service was not available (always) on weekend and holyday, there was no way of communication with AI technician to give feedback for improvement, management of cattle was poor and there was no sufficient AI technicians were respectively in the study areas. To be successful in animal breeding technology awareness for farmer on applications and advantages of artificial insemination should be given besides; sufficient professional man on artificial insemination should be employee to farmers.

Keywords: artificial insemination, cattle, dairy, Ethiopia, smallholder, Southern, technology