Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of pure Holstein Friesian dairy cows exploring 28 years records (1987 to 2015) in Alage Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education Training (ATVET) College dairy farm. General linear model procedures of SAS version 9.2 was employed to determine the effects of period of birth, season of birth, period of calving, season of calving and parity on reproductive traits. The overall mean of age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO) and number of services per conception (NSC) were 31.8±0.44 months, 42.5±0.46 months, 470.3±9.8 days, 228.2±10.2 days and 1.32±0.03, respectively. Period of birth (P<0.001) and season of birth (P<0.05) exerted significant effect on AFS, while AFC was not significantly influenced by season of birth. Days open and calving interval of Holstein Friesian (HF) cows affected by all fixed factors. Except period of calving (P<0.05), none of the factors influenced NSC. Except NSC, the results obtained for AFS, AFC, CI and DO were disappointing. The most probable factors accounted for the poor reproductive performances (AFS, AFC, CI and DO) in the study area were poor efficiency of estrus detection and expression, poor management practice and health problem and genotype × environmental interactions. Therefore, improving the level of management is required for optimal reproduction performance of HF breed in the area. Key words: Alage, Holstein Friesian, reproductive performance.
Highlights
Food insecurity is an appearance of famine challenging in many developing countries, in particular to Ethiopia
The overall least square mean of age at first service of Holstein Friesian dairy cows were 31.8±0.44 months which is longer than the age at first service of 733±16 days for Holstein Friesian cows in Ethiopia (Heyredin, 2014), 29.76±0.40 months for Holstein Friesian cows under Sudan tropical conditions (Peters et al, 2007), 24.30±8.01 months for Zebu × HolsteinFriesian dairy cows in Jimma town, Ethiopia (Belay et al, 2012)
Significant effect of period of birth was reported on at first service (AFS) of Holstein Friesian cows by Heyredin (2014)
Summary
Food insecurity is an appearance of famine challenging in many developing countries, in particular to Ethiopia. Ethiopia is known for its huge livestock population and is estimated to have 59.5 million heads of cattle, about 98.59% of the total cattle in the country are local breeds; the remaining are hybrid and exotic breeds with 1.22 and 0.19%, respectively (CSA, 2016). Livestock sector in Ethiopia is less productive as compared to its potential, contribution to the Ethiopian economy is very limited, production per animal is extremely low (Kumar and Tkui 2014). The milk production and reproductive traits are crucial factors, determinant for the profitability of dairy production (Lobago, 2007).
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