Pastoralists Dairy Cattle Breeding and Reproductive Performance Evaluation Indigenous Knowledge in West Guji, Ethiopia Ismael Mohammedamin, Tesema Birhanu* College of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences, Bule Hora University, Bule Hora, Ethiopia *E-mail: soressa.tsm@gmail.com
Online Published on 20 February, 2024. Abstract Pastoralists practice extensive communal systems of animal husbandry and have their own experiences and knowledge as well as culture about livestock that fit well with their type of livestock husbandry. The objectives of this study were to assess pastoral indigenous knowledge of dairy cattle breeding and reproductive performance evaluation practices in Ethiopia. The study areas and dairy cattle-rearing households were purposively and randomly selected, respectively. The traits pastoralists use for best dairy cattle selection were body conformation, age, and coat color as well as milk yield and pedigree performance. Further, pastoralists use Birth frequency, calf growth rate, and fertility traits for best dairy cattle production. Age at first service, Age at first calving, calving interval, Days open, and Number of services pre-conception number were parameters used for reproductive performance evaluation. In general, the breeding practices and reproductive performance evaluation practiced in the areas depended on indigenous knowledge without performance recording. Therefore, supporting the indigenous knowledge of the pastoralists with science will be the best option for genetic improvement, and increasing the production and productivity of livestock is recommended. Top Keywords Dairy cattle, Breeding practices, Reproduction performance, Evaluation practice. Top |