Breeding and milking managements and Goat production constraints in Siltie Zone SNNPR, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted in three agroecology of the Siltie Zone and assessed Breeding practice, Milking practice, and Goat Production Constraints in Siltie Zone SNNPR, Ethiopia. Multistage sampling techniques were followed during determining the study area where finally 384 respondents (128 from each agroecology) were selected to administer questionnaires. Primary data was collected through field observation, interviews, pretested questionnaires, and discussion with Focus Group Discussion. Collected data was organized into Microsoft Excel 2010 and analyzed using SPSS 21. The current study indicated respondents reared goats for multiple purposes, among which income generation (index = 0.38), followed by meat and breeding (index = 0.24) and milk (index = 0.19) ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively. Phenotypically breeding bucks were selected primarily based on large body size, Body confirmation, and coat color whereas breeding does were selected based on Udder size, milk yield, litter size, and body confirmation. The current study shows that the Majority (59.90 %) of the bucks utilized for breeding purposes originated from respondents' flocks while government and neighbor-sourced contribute 22.40 % and 18.49 % respectively. Lowland goats were comparably potential milk yielders (0.655 ± 0.18) and larger in litter size (LS). As understood from this study, Feed shortage (index = 0.14), water shortage (index = 0.11), and land shortage (index = 0.10) were dry season and feed shortage (index = 0.26), land shortage (index = 0.19) and Productive Breeds (index = 0.07) were rainy season constraints distressing goat production in Siltie Zone. The current study points out that farmers should be aware of flock separation practice and its importance and supported by a Selection-based breeding program to handle only productive buck to improve goat productivity and reproductive performance. Furthermore facilitating access to improved forage, using hay and crop residue were options suggested to overcome feed shortage.