Selection Goals and Objective Traits for Exotic and Crossbred Dairy Cattle Managed under Large, Medium and Small-Scale Dairy Farms in Ethiopia

Berhe AK, Effa KD and Yusuf YM

Published on: 2023-12-09

Abstract

In the process of livestock genetic improvement programs, farmers’ selection goals and preferences for objective traits are an indispensable task. The objectives of this study were to assess the selection goals and objective traits for both Holstein Friesian and crossbreed cows managed on large, medium, and small dairy farms in Ethiopia. Data were obtained by interviewing 236 randomly selected dairy farmers using semi-structured questionnaires. The results of the present study indicated that there were significant differences (P<0.05) in herd size for both Holstein Friesian and crossbreed dairy producers. Pure Holstein Friesian producers had an overall mean of 26.35±6.09 herds, which ranged from 18 to 41 dairy cows per household, whereas for crossbreed producers, the mean overall herd size was 20.58±4.36 herds, which ranged from 14 to 30 dairy cows per household. For Holstein Friesian producers, the reasonable selection goals of the respondents were profit per land, profit per pasture, and both profit per land and pasture, with an overall index value of 0.39, 0.35, and 0.26, respectively. However, profit per pasture, profit per land, and both profit per land and pasture were the preferred selection goals for crossbreed dairy producers, with an overall index value of 0.42, 0.31, and 0.27, respectively. For Holstein Friesian producers, production, reproduction, type traits, and secondary traits were the relative emphasis given, with an overall percentage value of 75.20±0.97, 13.55±0.72, 7.74±0.49, and 3.67±055, respectively. Similarly, production, reproduction, type traits, and secondary traits were the relative emphasis given to traits for crossbreed dairy producers, with an overall percentage value of 74.56±0.98, 13.55±0.65, 9.23±1.47, and 3.35±0.38, respectively. It is concluded that for sustainable dairy cattle production improvement, the farmers’ preferences for selection goals and lists of objective traits with prevailing knowledge and perceptions on breed choice would be important.