PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF HOLISTIAN FRIESIAN CROSS WITH LOCAL DAIRY COWS IN MISRAK AZERNET BERBERE DISTRICT, SILTE ZONE, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess productive performances of crossbred (Holstein-Friesian) dairy cows and factors affecting their performances in Misrak azernet berbere District, Silte Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select Kebeles. A total of 60 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed with semi-structured questionnaire to obtain information on the management practices of farmers, productive performances of crossbred dairy cows. The data were analyzed using the simple descriptive statistics such as average, mean and percentage and the result presented by tables. Overall Mean herd size of crossbred (HF) dairy cows for the study area per households was 1.9 and 3.07 of locals and the total cattle 4.7 in the district area. The major feed resources were natural pasture (28%), crop residues (20%), improved forages (18%), non-conventional feeds(13%),crop-after math(12%) and concentrate feeds(8%), whereas zero-grazing/stall feeding(40%), semi-grazing(55%)and free grazing(5%) system practiced in the study district. The major sources of water in the study area were river, tap water, ponds and wells. The overall means of milk yield per day/cow, lactation length and lactation milk yield was 8.7± 05 litters, 8.8±0.3 months and 2308.6 litter respectively. In the study area the main constraints were shortage of feeds (38.3%), animal health problems (20%), season effect (15%), water shortage (11.7%) lack of extension services (8.4%) and poor infrastructure such as (6.6%). Shortage of feeds was main factors hindering dairy productive performances in the study areas. Generally, productive performances obtained in current study were low. Therefore, the Sustainable extension service should be established to improve feed resources and management practices in the study area.