Review on Reproductive and Productive Performance of Dairy Cow in Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia has largest livestock population in Africa. Despite the largest cattle population, its productive and reproductive performance is very low productivity is relationship between inputs and outputs. The information about reproductive and productive performance in Ethiopia is limited for smallholder. Therefore; the objective of this review paper was to highlight the overall aspects of reproductive and productive performance parameters under Ethiopian condition. Reproductive performance is a trait of outstanding importance in dairy cow enterprises. The production of milk depends heavily on reproductive activity. Reproductive performance traits include number of service per-conception (NSC), calving interval (CI) and days open (DO). Productive performance traits include lactation length (LL), lactation yield (LY) and daily milk yield (DMY) are important criteria for profitable dairy farming. In Ethiopia, crossbred dairy cattle mainly are crosses of zebu with Holstein-Friesian and the mean reproductive performance like CI and productive performance like LL were near to the optimum. The mean values of reproductive and productive traits lower in case of indigenous breed than Friesian and their crosses. However, information is limited about the reproductive and productive performance of dairy cows in smallholder, urban and peri-urban dairy farms in the tropics, particularly in Ethiopia. With efficient management of cows, it is possible to improve performance traits. It is concluded that by improving genetic makeup of dairy cow it is possible to improve the reproductive and productive performance of dairy cattle in Ethiopia.

An Appropriate Genetic Approach for Improving Reproductive Traits in Crossbred Thai–Holstein Cattle under Heat Stress Conditions

“…Previous studies on Thai-Holstein crossbred cattle reported an average AFC value of 32.39 ± 5.76 and 30.97 ± 6.65 months [26,27], higher than the recommended age. The same results were reported in Friesian × Zebu (F1), and Friesian × Arsi (F1) cattle were obtained as 35.3 and 33.9 months, respectively [25]. The lower values of AFC reported in US dairy cattle were 24.5 ± 2.73 months for Holstein, 22.9 ± 2.74 months for Jersey, and 26.3 ± 3.13 months for Brown Swiss [28].…”

“…Age at First Calving (AFC) AFC is the age at which heifers first calve and is also known as the start of the heifer's productive life [23,24]. AFC influences the lifetime production, reproduction of the female, milk production, and lifetime calf crop [25]. Indirectly, AFC affects the cost invested for rearing cattle.…”

“…The other factor, uterine infection, has been associated with extended CFI in dairy cattle and low reproductive performance [33,38]. Poor management techniques, such as failing to detect the presence of estrus in dairy cows, can also contribute to a long CFI [25].…”

“…DO is the time period between calving and successful conception. It is also the part of the calving interval (CI) that can be shortened by improved dairy management and genetics [25]. As a result, DO is one of the indicator variables most widely used to assess dairy cattle fertility.…”