Production and Reproduction Performance of Simada Cattle Population in Three Districts of North-Western Ethiopia
Abstract
The study was conducted to assess production and reproduction performance of Simada cattle population in three districts of North-Western Ethiopia. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and field observations. A total of 180 households60 from each district and 15 from each kebelewere randomly selected to fill the structured questionnaire. Overall, average lactation length and milk production per cow per day was reported to be 8.67±1.062 months and 1.59 ± .17 liters, respectively. The overall age at which male first serve a female, age at first mating of female, age at first calving and calving interval of Simada cattle were estimated to be 38.56 ± 5.17, 45.60 ± 4.78, 57.74 ± 4.76 and 17.89 ± 2.03 months, respectively. In general, from the current study it could be concluded that Simada cattle are the sole source of breeding and milk production in the study area, and they have potential for greater contribution through better feeding, health management and genetic improvement.
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