Characterization of smallholder irob cattle production system: contributions to develop a breeding program.
Trop Anim Health Prod
; 56(7): 240, 2024 Aug 12.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39133397
ABSTRACT
An exploratory survey (i) to investigate livestock production system, reproductive and production performance of Irob cattle and (ii) to recognize constraints to cattle production was conducted in eastern Tigray zone, northern Ethiopia. Six tabias (the smallest administrative unit consisting of several villages) were chosen using purposive sampling method and households from each tabia were randomly selected. Mixed crop-livestock farming system dominates the study area. Overall herd size was 5.3 ± 2.7, with each herd comprising of 1.7 ± 1.2 cows, 1.4 ± 0.9 oxen, 0.5 ± 0.7 heifers, 0.5 ± 0.7 bulls and 1.2 ± 0.9 calves. Cattle are kept for draught power (index = 0.43), milk (index = 0.32), income (index = 0.15), manure (index = 0.06) and crop threshing (index = 0.04). Major feed resources in the study area were natural pasture, crop residue and cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica). Overall mean (± SD) for age at first services (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), daily milk yield (DMY) and lactation length (LL) was 28.3 ± 3.9 months, 37.4 ± 5.5 months, 15.5 ± 4.1 months, 6.5 ± 1.8 months, 1.7 ± 0.4 L and 7.4 ± 2.0 months, respectively. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in performance traits between districts. Well-known cattle production constraints in order of significance were feed, disease and parasites, AI, water and veterinary service. In conclusion, the study shown importance of taking into account the production environment in developing breed improvement program and recommends fit management system.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Cruzamiento
/
Crianza de Animales Domésticos
Límite:
Animals
País/Región como asunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Trop Anim Health Prod
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Etiopia
Pais de publicación:
Estados Unidos