Assessment of Factors Affecting the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Synchronization Based Breed Improvement Schemes

Abstract

The research was undertaken to asses’ factors affecting efficiency and effectiveness of synchronization based breed improvement schemes: threats, opportunities and the way forward. A total of 112 questioners were filled at Kaffa and Bench Maji zones of south west of Ethiopian’s estrous synchronization stations. The objectives of the research were to understand prevalence of reproductive disease and its loss, to forward appropriate intervention strategy to alleviate losses and to create awareness about management activities. In the study area Cattle are reared mainly for milk and meat production, as saving and for draft purpose respectively. Cattles are mainly milked twice per day that is 94.7% and only 5.3% cattle are milked thrice per day for the first 2-3 weeks but the amount of milk milked during afternoon was under a liter. Milk yield were 55.7% higher in the range of 1-2 l/day than >3 l/day for local breed and 3.5% higher for 2-5 l/day than > 8 l/day for cross breed.  In both local and cross breed calving interval in the year between 1-2yr was the dominant calving interval range. In this area tethering in grazing land, let to graze in grazing land, indoor feed and combination of all type feeding practice were 59.3%, 15.9%, 8.8% and 15.9% respectively was feeding practices in the study area. Major type of improved forage in the area on a small piece of land were desho, elephant grass and sesbania sesban respectively. Totally, 162 ES serviced sampled cows were taken and analyzed data showed that 33.5% were gave birth which indicate that there is poor conception rate. Major diseases that affect reproductive and productive performance of cattle in the study area were abortion, retained placenta, anthrax, hypocalcaemia, skin diseases, black leg, mastitis Bovine pastorollosis and FMD.

Keywords:   Estrous Synchronization, conception rate, cow, disease, Artificial Insemination