ASSESSMENT ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE AND MILK YEILD OF WOLKITE UNIVERSITY DAIRY FARM

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to assess the milk yield and reproductive performance of cross breed dairy cows in Wolkite University dairy farm. A total of 14 crossbreed cow records were used to evaluate reproductive performance and milk yield as well as key informant interview with semi – structured questionnaire was used to collected general management information about the farm and cross check recorded data. SPSS were used to analyze the data. The results of the study showed that the mean calving interval, days open and number of service per conception were 400.07±3.09 days, 93.07±2.44 days and 1.96±0.16 respectively. Similarly, average lactation length, daily milk yield and lactation milk yield of 277.21±4.39 days, 8.12±2.23 litter and 1977.21±51.27 litter were found respectively. The major constraints reported were lack of road for the transportation of feed, poor management, disease prevalence like calve fever, mastitis, anemia, heart water (acidosis), bloating.It can be concluded that the reproductive performance of the crossbreed are comparatively good. However, average milk production is lower than below the optimum recommended level (about 10 litres per day per cow) despite the good opportunities the University have. Therefore, through step by step improvement of the management practice increase in milk production should be improved. If improvement in the management practice doesn’t boost milk yield, breed improvement can be implemented.