Evaluation Of Production Performances Versus Feeding Practices In Urban And Secondary Town Dairy Production Systems In Adama Milk Shed, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Production performances versus feeding practice of crossbred dairy cows (Holstein Frisian X Zebu) were studied in urban and secondary town dairy production systems in Adama milk shed, Ethiopia from February to May, 2014. Twenty-four cows, with parities two-five and at early stage of lactation representing three herd size groups small (less than 3), medium (3-10) and large (>10 cows) were considered. Mean daily milk yield varied significantly (p<0.001) between production systems, genotypes, herd size and parity. Higher daily milk yield was found in urban production system (15.5 ±5.2) and for high-grade cows (15.3± 4.1). There was significant (P<0.05) difference between production systems in milk fat percent with 3.6% and 4.3% in urban and secondary town farms respectively. Body weight and body condition score of cow in parity 3 was 437.2±26.2 and 2.9±0.5, which was significantly (p<0.01) higher than for cows in parity 4. Secondary town production system and small herd size farms used significantly (P<0.05) more amount of roughage feeds. Energy intake from concentrate (50.0MJ/kg/day) for small farm size was lower than energy intake of concentrate (85.4 MJ/kg/day) in large farms. Feed shortage was the most important problem to reduce milk yield and productivity of dairy cows in the milk shed. Therefore, development of suitable forage crops and enhancement of crop residues need to be addressed with integration of training and extension works in order to optimize milk production.