LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN RELATION WITH FEED

AVAILABILITY IN THE HIGHLANDS AND CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY

OF ETHIOPIA

MSc. Thesis

ZEWDIE WONDATIR

April 2010

Haramaya University
 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN RELATION WITH FEED
AVAILABILITY IN THE HIGHLANDS AND CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY
OF ETHIOPIA

A Thesis Submitted to the School of Animal and Range Sciences,

School of Graduate Studies
HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE (ANIMAL PRODUCTION)

By

Zewdie Wondatir

April 2010

Haramaya University
 SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
HARAMAYA UNIVERSITY

As Thesis research advisors, we hereby certify that we have read and evaluated this Thesis,
prepared under our guidance, by Zewdie Wondatir, entitled ‘‘Livestock Production Systems
in Relation with Feed Availability in the Highlands and Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia’’
and recommend that it be submitted as fulfilling the Thesis requirement.

Yoseph Mekasha (PhD) _______________ ___________

Major advisor Signature Date

Mr. Bram Wouters (M.Sc.) _____________ ___________

Name of Co-advisor Signature Date

As members of the Examining Board of the Final MSc. thesis Open Defense, we certify that
we have read and evaluated the thesis prepared by Zewdie Wondatir and recommend that it be
accepted as fulfilling the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Agriculture
(Animal Production).

______________________ ________________ ___________

Chairman Signature Date
___________________________ ______________ ___________
Internal examiner Signature Date
__________________________ ______________ ___________
External examiner Signature Date

ii
 DEDICATION

I dedicate this thesis manuscript to my beloved mammy Gezash Kibret, who passed away by
leaving her eternal reminiscence to me when I was about to join Haramaya University.

iii
 STATEMENT OF THE AUTHOR

First, I declare that this thesis is my genuine work and that all sources of materials used for
this thesis have been duly acknowledged. This thesis has been submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for MSc. degree at Haramaya University and is deposited at the University
Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. I solemnly declare that
this thesis is not submitted to any other institution anywhere for the award of any academic
degree, diploma, or certificate.

Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permissions provided that
accurate acknowledgement of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation
from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the head of the
major department or the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies when in his or her judgment
the proposed use of the material is in the interest of scholarship. In all other instances,
however, permission must be obtained from the author.

Name: Zewdie Wondatir Signature: _____________________

Place: Haramaya University
Date of Submission: _____________________________

iv
 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ADF Acid Detergent Fiber

ADL Acid Detergent Lignin
AI Artificial Insemination
AOAC Associations of Official Analytical Chemists
Ca Calcium
cm centimeter
CP Crude Protein
CRV Central Rift Valley
CSA Central Statistical Agency
DCP Digestible Crude Protein
DM Dry Matter
EIAR Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research
ETB Ethiopian Birr
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
g gram
GLM General Linear Model
ha hectare
HARC Holetta Agricultural Research Center
IBC Institute of Biodiversity Conservation
ILCA International Livestock Center for Africa
ILRI International Livestock Research Institute
IVDOMD In vitro Digestible Organic Matter in the Dry matter
kg kilogram
km kilometer
masl meters above sea level
ME Metabolizable Energy
MJ Mega Joule
mm millimetre
v
MoA Ministry of Agriculture
N Nitrogen
NAIC National Artificial Insemination Center
NLDP National Livestock Development Project
NDF Neutral Detergent Fiber
NGOs Non Governmental Organizations
O
C Degree Celsius
OM Organic Matter
P Phosphorous
PA Peasant Association
SEDA Selam Environmental Development Association
SNV Netherlands Development Organization
t ton
TLU Tropical Livestock Unit
USD United States Dollars

vi
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

The author was born in 1977 at Chole, East Arsi Zone, Oromia Region. He attended his
elementary, junior and secondary school education at Sinkle, Chole and Arboye, respectively,
in the same Zone. He then joined the then Awassa College of Agriculture in 1994/95 and
graduated with a BSc degree in Animal Production and Rangeland Management. Thereafter he
was employed in Afar Region Agriculture office at Zone Five Agriculture Department as a
junior expert of hide and skin production and later as a team leader of livestock and fishery
resource division and also coordinator of National Livestock Development Project (NLDP).
The author served there for two and half years and was transferred to Alage Technical and
Vocational Education Training College as an instructor and served for six months. In January
2002, he joined the then Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (now Ethiopian
Institute of Agricultural Research) based at Holetta Research Center and worked as a
researcher in dairy cattle and draught animals research program. He then joined the School of
Graduate Studies of Harmaya University in October 2007 for his post-graduate studies in the
field of Animal Production.

vii
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Wageningen University of The Netherlands for
sponsoring my thesis research work.

My profound respect and appreciation goes to my esteemed major advisor Dr. Yoseph
Mekasha and co-advisors Mr. Adriaan Vernooij and Mr. Bram Wouters (both of the Animal
Science Group, Wageningen University) for their critical support and scientific guidance,
encouragement, and reviews of drafts, which greatly improved the quality of the thesis. I am
very thankful particularly to Adriaan Vernooij, who nominated me to be involved in this
research and his assistance in releasing research funds, monitoring progress of my work and
encouragement from inception to the mid stage of the work. I appreciate the encouragement
and guidance of the successor of Adriaan, Bram; his interest in the study and patience allowed
me to complete the thesis successfully.

I would like to thank the project ‘Improving livelihoods and resource management in the
Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia (ILCE)’ of the partnership program of the Dutch Ministry of
Foreign Affairs – Development Cooperation and Wageningen University and research centre
on Globalization and sustainable rural development within theme 2 - Competing claims on
natural resources, for partly funding my thesis work. I am very indebted to the coordinator of
this project, Dr. Huib Hengsdijk for his valuable comments, guidance and assistance.

I am also grateful to the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for
paying my salary during the study period and in particular Holetta Agricultural Research
Center (HARC) for their continued provision of facilities to conduct research.

I wish to express my great appreciation to Mr. Seyoum Bediye, Director of Livestock

Research at Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) for his unfailing exertion and
openness to give priority to my work.

viii
I extend my sincere appreciation to The Netherlands Development Organization (SNV) of
Ethiopia staffs: Mr. Marc Steen, Dr. Juergen Greiling and Mrs. Mahlet Yohannes for their
technical advice, encouragement and sharing their time to discuss the progress of my work.
Mr. Yoseph Sulito owes heartfelt thanks for his genuine generosity and unreserved effort in
facilitating financial matters. In addition, support extended by Mrs. Selamawit is also warmly
acknowledged. I am grateful to Mrs. Rahel and Yeshi for their continued logistical support and
kind assistance.

My gratitude also goes to Dr. Alien Duncan (ILRI-Ethiopia) for sharing his ideas on how to
develop questionnaires and for exchanging scientific information.

My particular regard is extended to Holetta Research Center staff, in particular Mr. Yohannes
Gojjam, Mr. Mengistu Alemayaehu, Mr. Solomon Delelegn and Mrs. Fanaye W/Giorgis, for
their invaluable help in providing resources during the study period. I would also like to
extend my special thanks to Dr. Yoseph Shiferaw and Dr. Zelalem Yilma for their scientific
guidance and unremitting encouragement throughout the study period. I gratefully
acknowledge Mr. Getu Kitaw, Mr. Aemiro Kehaliw, Mr. Dereje Fekadu, Mrs. Amelework,
Mrs. Wude W/Michael and Mrs. Seblewengel Bekele for their material support and assistance
in conducting laboratory analysis. In addition, I owe thanks to the soil chemistry laboratory
technicians and researchers namely Mr. Getachew Alemu, Mr. Alemayehu Terfe and Mr.
Gemechu for their help in analyzing feed samples.

I pay special tribute to the staff of Selam Environmental Development Association (SEDA) in
Addis Ababa and Ziway, Mr. Hussien, Mr. Mideksa Nebi, Mr. Teshite Guye, and Beyene, for
collaboration in the collection of data from an enclosure.

Adami Tullu Agricultural Research Center of the Oromia Region Agricultural Research
Institute is gratefully acknowledged. I convey thanks to Dr. Birhanu, Dr. Abule Ebro, Mr.
Tadesse and Mrs. Mame Akenu for their support and permission to use their laboratory.

Without the support of the local extension staff, the survey part of this study wouldn’t have
been possible and their contribution is highly acknowledged. I also express my earnest
indebtedness to the staff of Jimma Zone, Adami Tullu Jidokombolch Woreda, Dugda Bora
ix
Woreda, Sebeta Woreda, and Basona Werana Woreda Agriculture and Rural Development
offices, for their cooperation during the selection of peasant associations. Development agents
from each respective Woreda also deserve appreciation for their cooperation through farmer
selection and their assistance during data collection. My thanks go to Jimma dairy
Cooperatives, especially to Mr. Getachew Zeru, Mr. Woldemariam Gebre and Mr. Firew
Tesfaye for their unreserved support during field data collection. I also thank Mr. Getachew
Worku from Basona Werana Woreda (Debre Birhan) Agriculture and Rural Development
office who served as motorbike driver and assisted me with the farmer selection and data
collection. I thank Mr. Dres Beyne for his patience and thoughtful help in taking me to the
residence of individual dairy farmers in the Sebeta area.

I also owe a lot to my friends at Holetta Agricultural Research Center, Mr. Kefena Effa, Mr.
Molla Shumye, Mr. Tadesse Bekele, Dr. Aster Yohannes, Mr. Dereje Mengistu, Mr. Tadele
Mamo and others for making life pleasant and memorable. I extend my thanks to Mr.
Kassahun W/Gebriel and his family whose support brought me to this stage.

I have no words to express my unique appreciation to my beloved wife Bogalech (Bogie)

Terefe for her endurance and to take all responsibilities of the family during the study period. I
give her special place in my heart and owe her more than a mere expression of thanks.

Life would have been difficult without the joyful moments I shared with my classmates at
Haramaya University. I am very grateful to my friends: Wondimu Fekadu, Abebe Chindi,
Dejene Alemu, Samuel Tegegn, Fitsum Yimenu, Kebede Genole, Dirsha Demam, Araya
Abraham, Misganaw Wale and Temesgen Dessalegn for their encouragement and hospitality
during my stay at Haramaya campus.

Last but not least, I thank the respondents of the surveys for their unreserved willingness and
patience to be interviewed by me.

x
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

STATEMENT OF THE AUTHOR iv

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS v
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH vii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS viii
LIST OF TABLES xiv
LIST OF FIGURES xvii
LIST OF TABLES IN THE APPENDIX xviii
ABSTRACT xix
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. LITERATURE REVIEW 5
2.1. Livestock Production Systems in Ethiopia 5
2.2. Dairy Production Systems in Ethiopia 7
2.2.1. Traditional smallholder dairy production systems 7
2.2.2. Peri-urban dairy production systems 7
2.2.3. Urban dairy production system 7
2.3. Socioeconomic Role of Livestock in Ethiopia 8
2.4. Land Holding and Land Use System in Ethiopia 9
2.5. Livestock Holding and Herd Structure 9
2.6. Factors Influencing Dairy Production in Ethiopia 10
2.6.1 Cattle genotypes 10
2.6.2. Market 10
2.6.3. Feed resources 11
2.7. Nutrient Requirement of Cattle 13
2.8. Reproductive and Productive Performance of Cows 14
2.8.1 Age at first calving 14
2.8.2. Age at first service 15
2.8.3. Days open 15
xi
 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)

2.8.4. Calving interval 16

2.8.5. Milk yield and lactation length 17
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS 19
3.1 Overview of the Study 19
3.2. Description of the Study Areas 19
3.3. Sampling Procedures 21
3.4. Feed Quantity Assessment 23
3.5. Estimation of Forage Biomass Yield 23
3.6. Assessment of Livestock Feed Requirement 24
3.7. Chemical Analysis of Feed Samples 25
3.8. Milk and Feed Price Assessment 25
3.9. Statistical Analysis 25
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 27
4.1. Farming Systems Characteristics 27
4.1.1. Household characteristics 27
4.1.2. Landholding and land use pattern 31
4.1.3. Crop yields 33
4.1.4. Livestock population, herd structure and purpose of livestock rearing 34
4.1.5. Gender labor division for livestock related activities 39
4.1.6. Animal housing 41
4.1.7. Watering management 41
4.1.8. Constraints of livestock production in Central Rift Valley (Ziway) 46
4.1.9. Major constraints to feed supply and season of feed shortage in the
Highland system 49
4.1.10. Consequence of feed shortage on the performance of livestock 52
4.1.11. Ways of feed shortage alleviation 53
4.2. Productive and Reproductive Performance of Cattle in the Highland
and Central Rift Valley Production System 55
xii
 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED)

4.2.1. Daily milk yield 55

4.2.2. Lactation length 56
4.2.3. Age at first service and calving 56
4.2.4. Calving interval and days open 57
4.2. 5. Mating systems 60
4.3. Feed Resource Availability in Highland and Central Rift Valley Production
System 61
4.3.1. Composition of natural pasturelands around Ziway 61
4.3.2. Productivity of natural pastureland around Ziway 62
4.3.3. Seasonal availability of feed resources in Highland and Central Rift Valley 64
4.3.4. Crop residue preference 67
4.3. 5. Crop residue storage and utilization 68
4.3.6. Hay 70
4.3.7. Improved forage resources 70
4.3.8. Use of irrigation 73
4.3.9. Feeding system 74
4.3.10. Chemical composition and nutritive value of feeds 76
4.3.11. Estimated annual feed availability 82
4.3.12. Estimated annual feed balance 85
4.4. Marketing of Feed, Cattle and Dairy Products in Highlands and Central Rift
Valley Production System 89
4.4.1. Feed marketing 89
4.4.2. Marketing of cattle 91
4.4.3. Milk and milk products marketing 92
5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 95
6. RECOMMENDATIONS AND SCOPE FOR FUTURE RESEARCH 100
7. REFERENCES 101
8. APPENDICES 123
xiii
 LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1. Demographic characteristic of the respondents in the highlands and Central

Rift Valley production systems .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
2. Educational level of respondents (household heads) across the study sites ................ Error!
Bookmark not defined.
3. Mean (±SE) of household family sizes, active and non-active labor group
and gender distribution in the Highlands and Central Rift Valley systems................. Error!
Bookmark not defined.
4. Average landholdings per household and land use pattern in the study sites.............. Error!
Bookmark not defined.
5. Grain and crop residue yield (t ha-1) for common field crops grown in
Debre Birhan of the Highland and Ziway of Central Rift Valley systemError! Bookmark
not defined.
6. Percentage of respondents keeping crossbred and local cattle breeds and years
of experience with crossbreds in the Highland and Central Rift ValleyError! Bookmark
not defined.
7. Purpose of livestock keeping in the Highland and Central Rift Valley
production systems ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
8. Herd size and herd structure (Mean ±SE) per household in the Highland and
Central Rift Valley production system ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
9. Animal houses types used in the Highland study sites and Central Rift Valley
(as % of respondents) ......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
10. Major sources of water for livestock in the Highland production systemError! Bookmark
not defined.
11. Water sources for cattle in Central Rift Valley (Ziway) ..... Error! Bookmark not defined.
12. The proportion (%) of livestock owners travelling with their animals to different
xiv
 distances of watering points in the Highlands and Central Rift ValleyError! Bookmark
not defined.
13. Watering frequency for livestock species during the dry season in the Highlands
and Central Rift Valley. ...................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
14. Major problems constraining livestock production in Central Rift Valley (Ziway). .. Error!
Bookmark not defined.
15. Causes of insufficient feed availability for farmers with medium and small herd sizes
in the Highland study sites.................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
16. Feed shortage seasons drawn from the interviewed respondents in the Highland
production system ................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
17. Consequence of feed shortage in the highlands and Central Rift ValleyError! Bookmark
not defined.
18. Percentage of respondents using different coping mechanisms to feed shortage
in all study areas ................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
19. Least square means (LSM ±SE) milk production and reproductive performance
of crossbred dairy cows in the Highland production system by herd size. ................ Error!
Bookmark not defined.
20. Least squares means (LSM ±SE) for productive and reproductive performance of
cows around Ziway area as per the interviews .................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
21. Mating systems used in the Highland and Central Rift Valley production systems ... Error!
Bookmark not defined.
22. Proportion of grasses, forage legumes and forbs on DM basis from area closure
around Ziway ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
23. Mean (±SE) biomass yield and DM production of grasses and herbaceous
vegetation from an enclosure in Ziway ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
24. Browse trees identified in the Central Rift Valley (Ziway). Error! Bookmark not defined.
25. Preference indices of farmers at Debre Birhan and around Ziway for crop residues .. Error!
Bookmark not defined.
26. Length of storage period of crop residues before feeding to the animal and
form of feeding in Highland and Central Rift Valley .......... Error! Bookmark not defined.

xv
27. Sources of hay in the Highland study sites .......................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
28. Proportion of respondents using improved forages in the Highlands and
Central Rift Valley. ............................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
29. Major reasons hindering the development of improved forages in the Highland
and Central Rift Valley production system. ....................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
30. Purpose of irrigation in the Highland and Central Rift Valley as per the interview ... Error!
Bookmark not defined.
31. Length of grazing hours (mean ±SE) in the Highland and Central Rift Valley .......... Error!
Bookmark not defined.
32. Chemical composition and nutritive value of major feedstuffs in the study areas ...... Error!
Bookmark not defined.
33. Estimated available dry matter productions, DCP and ME supply per annum
per farm in the Highland and Central Rift Valley .............. Error! Bookmark not defined.
34. Estimated annual DM (t) production, DCP (kg) and ME (MJ) supply in the
Highland production system by herd size........................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
35. Estimated annual feed dry matter and nutrient balance of livestock per farm
per annum in the Highlands and Central Rift Valley production systemError! Bookmark
not defined.
36. Estimated annual feed dry matter and nutrient balance of livestock
per farm in the Highland production system by herd size ... Error! Bookmark not defined.
37. Mean (±SE) price (ETB) per kg of available feed resources on as fed and
per nutrient basis in the study sites. .................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
38. Types of dairy products sold and market types in the Highlands and
Central Rift Valley system ................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.

xvi
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

1. Map of the study sites ............................................................................................................ 21

2. Pairing a donkey with an ox for plowing around Ziway ....................................................... 37
3. Participation of males and females in livestock activities ..................................................... 40
4. Degraded land following livestock trekking for water around the Lakeshore of Ziway ....... 44
5. Feed resources availability across the different months of the year ...................................... 66
6. Feeding systems employed by livestock owners at Debre Birhan and Ziway ...................... 75
7. Market prices of crossbred and local cattle across the study sites......................................... 91
8. Average price of milk and milk products (ETB per kg) in dry and wet seasons
in the study areas ................................................................................................................... 94

xvii
 LIST OF TABLES IN THE APPENDIX

APPENDIX TABLES PAGE

1. Conversion factors of livestock number to Tropical Livestock Unit (TLU) ...................... 124
2. Total daily nutrient requirement of livestock per livestock species .................................... 124
3. Questionnaires used ............................................................................................................ 125

xviii
 LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN RELATION WITH FEED
AVAILABILITY IN THE HIGHLANDS AND CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY
OF ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT

A study was conducted to assess livestock production in relation with feed availability in the
Highlands and Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Peri-urban dairy production system from
Highland and mixed crop-livestock production system from Central Rift Valley were
considered for the study. The Highland peri-urban study sites were Debre Birhan, Jimma and
Sebeta while Ziway was considered from Central Rift Valley. The study was initiated with the
objectives to gain insight in the temporal and spatial availability of feed and its quality to
target interventions in feed production and management in relation to livestock development
in two production systems of Ethiopia, to investigate major constraints of feed supply in the
selected areas, to assess the performance of cattle in the selected areas and to develop
advising strategies for livestock improvement. A reconnaissance survey was used to get the
general picture of the study sites. Purposive sampling was employed to select target farms.
Structured questionnaire, focused group discussions, secondary data sources and field
observations were employed to generate data. A total of 60 farmers from Highland system
(Debre Birhan=20, Jimma=20 and Sebeta=20) were selected for the study. The farms were
further stratified into small and medium herd size. Similarly, a total of 60 livestock owners
were selected from Ziway area. Samples of major feed resources were collected from both
system and their chemical composition was determined. Data were analysed using descriptive
statistics and General Linear Model of the SAS software. The result of the study indicated that
both natural pastures and crop residues were the main basal diets in Central Rift Valley
system while grass hay was the main basal diet in the Highland system. Among Highland
system, farmers in Jimma and Sebeta do not have grazing and crop lands. On the other hand,
farmers in the Central Rift Valley (around Ziway) and Debre Birhan possess crop and grazing
lands. The major feed resources in Jimma and Sebeta were purchased hay and agro-industrial

xix
by-products while crop residue and natural pasture grazing were among the common feed
resources in Debre Birhan and Ziway. About 58 and 90% of the respondents face feed
shortage during dry season in the Highlands and Central Rift Valley production system,
respectively. About 50% of the respondents in Ziway area indicated feed shortage due to
encroachment of crop farming into grazing lands. Among the Highland system, in Debre
Birhan 60 and 40 % of the dairy farmers described that grazing lands are converted into
croplands and expensive market price of concentrate feeds, respectively, as the main problems
of feed supply. Seventy five percent of both small and medium herd size dairy farms at Jimma
and Sebeta had feed problems in relation with the current escalating cost of feeds. More over
80 and 55% of the dairy farmers at Jimma and Sebeta, respectively indicated that commercial
feeds are not available sufficiently in the market. Laboratory analysis of major feed resources
indicated that hay had CP content of 6.1% and grazing pasture 7.2%. CP content of crop
residues varied from 3.1 to 6.7%, which was below the minimum requirement of 7.0% for
optimum microbial function. In addition, crop residues had lower digestibility (47%) and
energy value ranges from 6.5-7.9 MJ/kg DM. NDF content of crop residues was above 65%.
ADF content of crop residues varied from 48-62% and lignin values were varied from 10-
17%. ME for commonly used energy supplements such as wheat bran and molasses was 13.2
and 12.5 MJ/kg DM, respectively. Among the protein supplements, brewery wet grains had
slightly lower CP (27%) than cotton seed cake (42%) and noug seedcake (35%). Annual feed
balance estimation revealed that the total estimated available feed supply in the Highland
production system met 83% of the maintenance DM requirement of livestock per farm per
year. In the same production system, the total estimated CP and ME were 40 and 10% surplus
per year per farm. On the other hand, in the CRV (around Ziway), the total annual DM met
only 66% of the total livestock requirement per annum per farm. In the same way, the total
yearly available DCP and ME cover only 37% and 67% of the total livestock requirement per
farm per annum, respectively. The estimated mean daily milk yield varied significantly
(P<0.001) among the Highland sites. In Sebeta the estimated daily milk yield (9.7 kg) per cow
was higher (P<0.001) than Jimma and Debre Birhan. The overall estimated daily milk yield
from indigenous Arsi zebu cattle in Central Rift Valley (Ziway) was 1.5 kg per cow. The
overall estimated mean lactation length of cows in the Highland production system was 296

xx
days and was not different (P>0.05) among sites. Estimated lactation length of 321 days in
Central Rift Valley (around Ziway) was slightly longer. The overall estimated mean age of
heifers at first service was 27.5 months and age at first calving was 36.8 months and differed
(P<0.001) considerably among the study sites in the Highland production system. The overall
estimated mean ages at first service and calving in the Central Rift Valley (Ziway) were longer
(51 and 60 months, respectively). Assessment of market price of feeds and milk showed that in
the Highland study sites noug seedcake had the highest price and varied from ETB 2.13 to
2.41 per kg feed. In Sebeta area the price of brewery wet grain was lowest (ETB 0.18 per kg
feed). Brewery wet grain had the lowest price (ETB 0.02) per unit of metabolizable energy
(ME) while noug seedcake had the highest (ETB 0.23). The price for locally processed
products such as butter and Ayib was highest in the dry season in all study areas. Therefore,
from the current study it was concluded that the quality of available basal roughage feeds is
generally low and strategic supplementation of protein and energy rich feeds should be
required. Alternative means of dry season feed production and supply should be in place with
the involvement of all stakeholders and development actors. In relation with the rising market
price of concentrate feeds, other optional feeds like brewery wet grains and non-conventional
feed resources should be taken into consideration.

xxi
 1. INTRODUCTION

Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa. The recent livestock
population census (CSA, 2008) shows that Ethiopia has about 49.3 million heads of cattle,
25.0 million sheep, 21.9 million goats, 1.8 million horses, 5.4 million donkeys, 335 thousand
mules, 760 thousand camels and 38.1 million poultry. This does not include livestock
population of three zones of Afar and six zones of Somali regions.

Several authors have classified livestock production systems in Ethiopia using different ways.
Most classifications are based on the criteria that include degree of integration of livestock
with crop production, level of input and intensity of production, agro-ecology and market
orientation. Accordingly, about five production systems have been defined; namely pastoral,
agro-pastoral, mixed crop-livestock farming, intensive dairying and peri-urban dairying (MoA,
1997; Yoseph, 1999; Mohammed et al., 2004; Yitay, 2007). Across all production systems,
the production of milk and milk products has vital place where 99% of the total milk
production is contributed by cattle.

Ethiopia holds large potential for dairy development mainly due to its large livestock
population, the favorable climate for improved high-yielding animal breeds, and the relatively
disease-free environment (Winrock International, 1992; Halloway et al., 2000). In addition,
the country enjoys diverse topographic and climatic conditions and hence milk production, at
different levels, takes place across all agro-ecological zones. In the highlands milk is mainly
produced on small scale mixed farmers while in the lowlands, pastoralist production systems
are predominant. There are also intensive and commercial dairy farms in the country. The
majority of cows kept are indigenous breeds, with a limited number of farmers keeping few
crossbred grade dairy animals (Gebre-Wold et al., 2000).

However, despite large number of livestock resources in the country, its productivity is
extremely low. The livestock sector in Ethiopia contributes 12 and 33% of the total and
agricultural gross domestic product, respectively (Ayele et al., 2003). The per capita
consumption of milk is estimated to be 19.2 kg/person/year, which is very low as compared to
the average per capita consumption of Africa, 37.2 kg/person/year (FAO, 1998; FAO, 2000).
An increasing demand for dairy products in the country is, however, expected to induce rapid
growth in the dairy sector. Factors contributing to this demand include the rapid population
growth (estimated at 3% annually), increased urbanization and expected growth in incomes
(Mohammed et al., 2004). The shift in national policy towards a more market-oriented
economy will facilitate private entrepreneurs to respond to the increased demand through
increased investment in dairy production and milk processing. While the response of the
private sector to the increased demand for dairy is expected to be significant, the small-scale
farms in the highlands hold most of the potential for dairy development. Currently, a number
of smallholder and commercial dairy farms are emerging mainly in the urban and peri-urban
areas of Addis Ababa (Felleke and Geda, 2001; Azage, 2003) and most regional towns and
districts (Ike, 2002; Nigussie, 2006). According to Azage and Alemu (1998), there were 5167
dairy farms producing milk annually in the Addis Ababa milk shade.

In Ethiopia, annual milk production per cow is generally low due to reduced lactation length,
extended calving interval, age at first calving and poor genetic makeup. One of the major
problem to such low milk production is shortage of livestock feeds both in quantity and
quality, especially during the dry season. Moreover, progressive decline of average farm sizes
in response to rising human populations, encroachment of cropping land onto erstwhile
grazing areas and onto less fertile and more easily erodible lands, and expansion of degraded
lands which can no longer support either annual crops or pastures contributed to shortage of
feed resources (Anderson, 1987; Alemayehu, 2005). Further poor grazing management (e.g.
continuous overgrazing) contributed to shortage of feed resources as a result of replacement of
productive and nutritious flora by unpalatable species (Ahmed, 2006). Feed supply from
natural pasture fluctuates following seasonal dynamics of rainfall (Alemayehu, 1998; Solomon
et al., 2008a). Furthermore, quality of native pasture is very low especially in dry season due
to their low content of digestible energy and protein and high amount of fiber content. This is
much worse for crop residues owing to their lower content of essential nutrients (protein,
energy, minerals and vitamins) and lower digestibilities and intake (Seyoum and Zinash, 1988;
Chenost and Sansoucy, 1991; Zinash et al., 1995). Despite, these problems, however,
ruminants will continue to depend primarily on forages from natural pastures and crop
residues.
2
Peri-urban dairy production systems have been emerged around cities and towns, which
heavily rely on purchased fodder. The term peri-urban refers to the linkage and interaction
between rural and urban areas and characterized by the production, processing and marketing
of milk and milk products that are channeled to consumers in urban centers (Rey et al., 1993
as cited in Yoseph, 1999). Fonteh et al. (2005) also defined peri-urban as an area located at the
outskirts of town (between approximately 5 and 10 km away from town). Further
commercialization of dairy production takes place around cities and towns where the demand
for milk and milk products is high (medium and large towns). However, the production system
has been constrained by several factors of which in adequate year round feed supply (quantity
and quality) is the focal point. Few research works have been carried out with regard to feed
availability in relation with dairy animals in urban and peri-urban dairy farms (Yoseph et al.,
2003a). Current and up-to-date baseline information is lacking in peri-urban areas on feed
availability and quality under the prevailing situations. As a result, there is a need to
investigate the feed demand and supply situation in the peri-urban areas with the aim to
identify suitable strategies to provide adequate amounts and sufficient quality fodder to the
dairy animals.

On the other hand, the livestock sector in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) around Ziway has
been previously dominated by agro-pastoralists, which have been permanently settled by the
effort of Government and NGOs. Currently, many of the smallholders using irrigation for crop
production in the CRV are mixed crop-livestock farmers. However, the contribution of such
scheme for livestock production in terms of feed supply is not well known. Yet, such
smallholders keep livestock to provide them with draught power, transport, savings, and milk
(Alemayehu, 1985; Legesse et al., 1987). Besides, the number of animals determines the
socio-cultural status of the owner (Amsalu, 2000). The large number of animals in the CRV
has resulted in large-scale overgrazing and land degradation as evidenced through the increase
of invasive weeds. However, current baseline information with regard to feed availability is
also lacking in the Central Rift Valley. Recently, dairy development is promoted by the
government and NGOs to increase national milk production and to improve incomes of crop-
livestock mixed farming systems. This development will contribute to the need of the society
and at the same time increase competition for sufficient and good quality animal feed,

3
especially roughage. Feed availability and quality, especially during the dry season is an
important constraint in livestock production endeavor and it determines to a large extent the
physical performance of the livestock sector. In general, it can be stated that the development
potential of livestock production is negatively influenced by the chronic shortage of fodder in
most of the livestock (both dairy and meat) producing areas. This study was therefore
designed with the following specific objectives:

To gain insight in the temporal and spatial availability of feed and its quality to target
interventions in feed production and management in relation to livestock
development in two production systems of Ethiopia.
To investigate major constraints of feed supply in the selected areas.
To assess the performance of cattle in the selected areas
To develop advising strategies for livestock improvement.

4
 2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Livestock Production Systems in Ethiopia

The diversity of Ethiopia's topography, climate and cultural conditions make it difficult to
generalize about livestock production systems in the country (Alemayehu, 1985).Numerous
authors used different criteria to classify livestock production systems in Ethiopia. However,
about five production systems have been identified based on integration of livestock with crop
production, level of input and intensity of production, agro-ecology and market orientation.
The following systems have been defined viz. pastoral, agro-pastoral, mixed crop-livestock
farming, urban and peri-urban dairy farming and specialized intensive dairy farming systems
(MoA, 1997; Yoseph, 1999; Mohammed et al., 2004; Yitay, 2007).

In the lowland agro-ecological setup with pastoral production system, livestock do not provide
inputs for crop production but are the very backbone of life for their owners, providing all of
the consumable saleable outputs and, in addition, representing a living bank account and form
of insurance against adversity (Coppock, 1994). This system is characterized by sparsely
populated pastoral rangelands, where subsistence of the pastoralists is mainly based on
livestock and livestock products. The livestock husbandry in this system is dominated by
goats, cattle, sheep and camels. Since the main source of food is milk, pastoralists tend to keep
large herds to ensure sufficient milk supply and generate income (IBC, 2004).

Agro-pastoral form of livestock production system dominates in mid agro-ecological zones

where a tendency for crop production has shown besides livestock production. Agro-
pastoralists are sedentary farmers who grow crops and raise livestock. Livestock are used for
draught, savings and milk production. The production system is subsistence type of milk and
or meat production (Zinash et al., 2001; Alemayehu, 2004). Cattle and small stock play a
critical role in the agro-pastoralist household economy. Agro-pastoralists tend to retain female
stock to produce milk and to maintain the reproductive potential of the herd. Oxen are also
important for draft so that stock sold tend to be oxen and cows, which have lost their
productive capacity. However, because average herd size is generally low, many herders are

5
increasingly forced to sell young males and even females of optimum reproductive age (ILRI,
1995).

In the highland livestock production system, animals are part of a mixed subsistence farming
complex (Alemayehu, 1987). Livestock provide inputs (draught power, transport, manure) to
other parts of the farm system and generate consumable or saleable outputs (milk, manure,
meat, hides and skins, wool, hair and eggs). About 88% of the human population, 70% of
cattle and sheep, 30% of goats and 80% of equines are found in this region (Alemayehu,
2004). The principal objective of farmers engaged in mixed farming is to gain complementary
benefit from an optimum mixture of crop and livestock farming and spreading income and
risks over both crop and livestock production (Lemma and Smit, 2004; Solomon, 2004).

Urban and peri-urban production systems are developed in areas where the population density
is high and agricultural land is shrinking due to urbanization around big cities like Addis
Ababa and other regional towns. In this system crossbred animals (ranging from F1 to a higher
blood level of exotic breeds mainly Holstein Friesian) are kept in small to medium-sized
farms. Urban and peri-urban production systems include commercial to smallholder dairy
farms. Such farms are reported to be found in and around major cities (Addis Ababa) and
other regional towns. This sector own most of the country’s improved dairy stock (Tsehay,
2002; Mohamed et al., 2003; Sintayehu et al., 2008). The main source of feed is both home
produced or purchased hay and the primary objective is to get additional cash income from
milk sale (Yitay, 2008).

Intensive dairy farming predominated by the state sector and urban and peri-urban private
milk production has developed in and around major cities and towns with high demand for
milk (Felleke and Geda, 2001). The system comprised of small and medium sized dairy farms
located in the highlands are based on the use of purebred exotic or high grade and crossbred
dairy stock. Farmers use all or part of their land for fodder production and purchase of
concentrate is also another source of feed (Yoseph, 1999).

6
2.2. Dairy Production Systems in Ethiopia

Based on location or scale of market orientation and production intensity as criterion, three
major dairy production systems are reported in Ethiopia (Azage and Alemu, 1998; Hizkias,
2000; Tsehay, 2002; Yoseph et al., 2003b; Zegeye, 2003; Dereje et al., 2005, Sintayehu et al.,
2008). These are traditional smallholders, peri-urban and urban dairy production systems.

2.2.1. Traditional smallholder dairy production systems

The traditional smallholder system is part of the subsistence farming system, which includes
pastoraslists, agro-pastoralists and mixed crop-livestock producers (Tsehay, 2002). It is
roughly corresponding to the rural milk production system and supply 97% of the total
national milk production and 75% of the commercial milk production. This sector is largely
dependent on low producing indigenous breeds of cattle, which produce about 400-680 kg of
milk /cow per lactation period (Gebre-Wold et al., 2000). The milk produced is mainly
consumed by the household in the traditional system.

2.2.2. Peri-urban dairy production systems

This system is found in the outskirts of the capital city and regional cities and mostly
concentrated with in 100 km distance around Addis Ababa which includes dairy farms ranging
from smallholder to commercial farmers (Felleke and Geda, 2001). The main feed resources in
this system include agro-industrial by-products and purchased roughage. The system
comprises small and medium sized dairy farms that own crossbreed dairy cows. Dairy farmers
use all or part of their land for forage production. The primary objective of milk production in
this system is generating additional income to the household (Hizkias and Tsehay, 1995;
Azage et al., 2000).

2.2.3. Urban dairy production system

It consists of dairy farms ranging from smallholder to highly specialized, state or

businessmen owned farms, which are mainly concentrated in major cities of the
country. These dairy farms have no access to grazing lands (Yitay et al., 2007) and
7
basically keep exotic dairy stocks (Azage et al., 2000). Currently, a number of smallholder
and commercial dairy farms are emerging mainly in the urban of the capital Addis Ababa
(Felleke and Geda, 2001; Azage, 2004) and most regional towns and districts (Ike, 2002;
Nigussie, 2006).

2.3. Socioeconomic Role of Livestock in Ethiopia

Livestock are an important component of nearly all farming systems in Ethiopia and
provide draught power, milk, meat, manure, hides, skins and other products. In
addition, livestock are important source of cash income and play an important role in
ensuring food security and alleviating poverty (Ehui et al., 2002). The livestock sub-
sector in Ethiopia accounts for about 12 and 33% of the total and agricultural gross
domestic product (GDP), respectively, and provides livelihood for 65% of the
population (Ayele et al., 2003). In the mixed crop-livestock systems of the Ethiopian
highlands, livestock are subordinate but economically complementary to crop production in
providing draft power, which is a vital contribution to the overall farm labor requirement.
Livestock also provide meat, milk, cash income and manure, and serve as a capital asset
against risk. In the semi-arid low lands, cattle are the most important species because they
supply milk for the subsistence pastoral families. In the more arid areas, however, goats and
camels are the dominant species reared. The former provide milk, meat and cash income,
while the latter population for milk, transport and, to a limited extent, meat (Asfaw, 1997).
Cattle are kept for all purpose. However, the purposes of keeping cattle vary with production
systems. Traction ranked highest, followed by milk and reproduction/breeding (males and
females) in both crop-livestock and agro pastoral systems (Alemayehu, 2004). Manure
production also considered important by most crop/livestock and agro-pastoralist farmers, but
as secondary rather than a primary purpose. In contrast, reproduction/breeding requirements
received higher ranks in pastoralist systems and, for female, requirements for breeding
outranked the importance of milk production (Workneh and Rowlands, 2004).

In Ethiopia, 45% of livestock owners are women and 33% of livestock keepers households are
headed by women in Addis Ababa city (Azage, 2004). Women are usually responsible for

8
feeding large animals, cleaning the barns, milking dairy cattle, processing milk and marketing
livestock products, but they receive assistance of men, female children and/or other relatives.
Young children, especially girls between the ages of 7 and 15, are mostly responsible for
managing calves, chicken and small ruminants and older boys are responsible for treating sick
animals, constructing shelter, cutting grass and grazing of cattle and small ruminants. The role
of women in managing animals that are confined during most of the year is substantial. They
are critically involved in removing and managing manure, which is made in to cakes and used
or sold as fuel (Azage, 2004).

2.4. Land Holding and Land Use System in Ethiopia

The land size allotted to individual farmers by a Peasant Association (PA) as per the land
reform declaration of 1975, depended on family size, fertility of the land, the number of PA
members and the total land area available within the PA (Getachew et al., 1993). Most farms
in Ethiopia are fragmented and smallholder mixed crop–livestock systems are interdependent.
Increasing human population and diminishing land resources etc. are creating a growing
number of landless people who also have to produce their own subsistence (Kebreab et al.,
2005).Yitaye et al. (2007) reported that in the highland areas of Amhara region, where
integrated farming is found, farmers owning on average 3.3 ha of land. The same report
described that in urban areas where 75% of the farms do not have access to land, livestock
farming and especially dairying is the main agricultural activity. In Southern Ethiopia at Alaba
district, Yeshitila (2008) has reported that the average land size owned by a farmer is about 2.5
ha. The same report indicated that land and livestock holdings showed a direct linear
relationship, where farmers with large land holdings have higher livestock holdings and when
land holdings became smaller there is a trend of keeping more numbers of small ruminants
than cattle.

2.5. Livestock Holding and Herd Structure

Livestock ownership varies depending on the wealth status and the overall farm production
objectives. In mixed farming system of the highlands and mid-altitudes of Ethiopia where crop
production is important; cattle are the most important livestock species for cultivation,

9
threshing and manure (Getachew et al., 1993). Gryseels and Goe (1984) also reported that
most farmers in the central highlands of Ethiopia own two oxen, a cow, few sheep and a
donkey. Households with larger landholdings keep more animals because they need more
draught power to cultivate the land, and this also enables them to produce more straw that
helps to support a greater number of animals (Bayush et al., 2008).

By the expression ' flock/herd structure' it means that the proportion (in terms of number of
head) of the herd of a single species which is formed by different age and sex classes of
animals, e.g., breeding females, calves, mature bulls, mature oxen etc (ILCA, 1990). In mixed
production systems where animals are used for draught and transport, the proportion of mature
oxen or donkeys in herds tends to be relatively high (ILCA, 1990). In arid areas where pastoral
system of production is dominant, livestock population has increased over time following the
demand for both water and feed availability (Belaynesh, 2006).

2.6. Factors Influencing Dairy Production in Ethiopia

2.6.1 Cattle genotypes

According to Tsehay (1997), about 99% of the cattle population in Ethiopia are indigenous
that are adapted to feed and water shortages, disease challenges and harsh climates. The
productivity of indigenous livestock is, however, believed to be poor even if no practical
recording scheme has been used to judge their merit. Crossbreeding has been practiced with
encouraging results, however, a strictly controlled breeding program has not been practiced
(Tesfaye, 1990) and there has been no dairy herd recording scheme. Less than 1% of the 49.3
million cattle populations of Ethiopia are exotic or crossbred dairy cows (CSA, 2008).

2.6.2. Market

Markets involve sales, locations, sellers, buyers and transactions (Debrah and Berhanu, 1991).
Challenges and problems for dairying vary from one production system to another and/or from
one location to another. The structure and performance of livestock and its products marketing
both for domestic consumption and for export is generally perceived poor in Ethiopia. Lack of
market-oriented production, lack of adequate information on livestock resources, inadequate
10
permanent trade routes and other facilities like feeds, water, holding grounds, lack or non-
provision of transport, ineffectiveness and inadequate infrastructural and institutional set-ups,
prevalence of diseases, illegal trade and inadequate market information (internal and external)
are generally mentioned as some of the major reasons for the poor performance of this sector
(Belachew, 1998; Belachew and Jemberu, 2003; Yacob as cited in Ayele et al., 2003).

The primary selling outlet of milk is direct sell to consumers and price of dairy commodities
are determined by different factors such as season, access to market/distance from towns,
fasting and non-fasting days, festivals and holidays, level of supply vs. purchasing ability of
the urban dwellers, and quality and sources of dairy products (Sintayehu et al., 2008). The
same authors also reported that the major constraints for dairy development in the southern
Ethiopia included availability and costs of feeds, shortage of farm land, discouraging
marketing systems, waste disposal problems, lack of improved dairy animals, poor extension
and animal health services, and knowledge gap on improved dairy production, processing and
marketing.

2.6.3. Feed resources

Inadequate supply of quality feed and the low productivity of the indigenous cattle breeds are
the major factors limiting dairy productivity in Ethiopia. Feed, usually based on fodder and
grass, are either not available in sufficient quantities due to fluctuating weather conditions or
when available are of poor nutritional quality. These constraints result in low milk and meat
yields, high mortality of young stock, longer parturition intervals, and low animal weights
(McIntire et al., 1992). Improved nutrition through adoption of sown forage and better crop
residue management can substantially raise livestock productivity. National and international
research agencies, including the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), have
developed several feed production and utilization technologies and strategies to address the
problems of inadequate and poor quality of feeds.

The major feed resources in the highland are natural pasture, crop residues and stubble grazing
(Alemayehu, 2004). The availability of feed resources in the highlands depends on the
intensity of crop production, population pressure, the amount of rainfall, and distribution

11
pattern of rainfall and seasons of the year (Mohammed and Abate, 1995). Pasture growth is a
reflection of the annual rainfall distribution pattern (Seyoum et al., 2001). However, with the
decline in the size of the grazing land and degradation through overgrazing and the expansion
of arable cropping, agricultural by-products have become increasingly important (Alemu et
al., 1989; Abate and Abiye, 1993; Getnet, 1999; Alemayehu, 2004).

Native pasture is the major source of feed for ruminants both in the area of mixed farming
system and pastoralism, although it is neither quantitatively nor qualitatively adequate to
support profitable animal production (Seyoum et al., 1997). In addition, tef and wheat straws
are also important sources of livestock feed in the highland vertisol areas. Barley and oat
straws are also important in areas where they are produced. Straw supplementation is
commonly restricted to work-oxen and lactating cows.

At present, the production of improved pasture and forages is insignificant and the
contribution of agro-industrial by-products is also minimal and restricted to some urban and
peri-urban farms (Alemayeu, 2005). The same author also indicated that in the past two
decades, considerable efforts have been made to test the adaptability of pasture and forage
crops to different agro ecological zones and several useful forages have been selected for
different zones.

Seasonality of plant growth, which is a reflection of annual rainfall distribution pattern,

restricts the availability of herbage for grazing animals to 4 or 5 months of the wet season for
most of the natural grasslands (Iowga and Urid, 1987). Moreover, Tothil (1987) reported that
feed for livestock arising from natural pasture fluctuates considerably in such quality
components as protein and fiber which are generally inversely proportional to each other. On
the other hand, many surveys and studies conducted in Ethiopia and elsewhere in the world
indicate that cereal straw, dry by-products of crops and aftermath are available after the crop
harvest i.e. in the dry season (Taylor, 1984; Preston and Leng, 1984; Verjux, 1988; Seyoum
and Zinash, 1988).

In Ginchi watershed area, Getachew (2002) has reported that the quantity of feed was
inadequate in the dry season for the existing livestock while there is surplus in the wet season.

12
Quantitatively, stubble grazing and crop residues also serve as important sources of feed.
Cereal crop residues (straws and stovers) are mostly stacked and fed to livestock during the
dry season when the quantity and quality of available fodder from natural pasture declines
drastically (Adugna and Said, 1994).

Hay is commonly used way of feed preservation technique in Ethiopia which is expected to
mitigate problems of livestock feeding during the dry period and therefore such experience is a
good indicator that feeds are being efficiently utilized. High quality hay can be defined as
forage that is dried without deterioration and retaining most of its nutrients. Moreover being
freedom from mould development, retention on natural color and palatability and capability
for storage over a long period of time are other important desirable qualities considered in hay.
Many farms in urban and peri-urban areas livestock farm owners rely on bought fodder which
is irregularly available and often of dubious quality (Vernooij, 2007).

2.7. Nutrient Requirement of Cattle

Generally, cattle require nutrients for maintenance, growth, production and reproduction.
Nutrients required for these functions are expressed in terms of energy, protein, minerals
(particularly calcium and phosphorous) and vitamins. Energy, protein, and digestibility of
feeds are central in determining nutritional adequacy and feeding levels for different classes of
stock (Streeter, 2006). Energy is usually the most important feed component needed to
produce milk. The energy needed depends on the composition of the milk (i.e., fat and protein
content). The value of feed is clearly related to the amount of energy it can supply, since
energy is usually the chief limiting nutrient (Wilson and Brigstocke, 1983). According to
McDonald and Greenhalgh (1988), energy requirement of animals is most commonly
expressed in the simplest way possible as the absolute quantities of energy gained or lost by
animals. Energy for maintenance can be defined as the amount of feed energy required for
essential metabolic processes and physical activity, which results in no net loss or gain from,
or to the tissues of the animal (NRC, 1996). Demand for energy depends on breed, live-
weight, sex and physiological state (pregnancy, lactation) of the animal. The amount of feed
needed to meet maintenance requirements will vary with the type and quality of feed
available.

13
Proteins are the main constituents of an animal body and are continuously needed in the
feedstuff. The protein content of herbage falls with the phosphorous so that protein deficiency,
and frequently also a deficiency of available energy, are exacerbating factors in the
malnutrition of livestock in phosphorous deficient areas (Eric, 1981). With increasing crude
protein concentrations, milk yield increased by 4.0 kg/day at the same concentrate intake but
tended to fall at reduced concentrate intake (Sutton et al., 1996).

Calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) are closely correlated for building the skeletal structure.
Approximately 90% of the calcium and 70% of the phosphorus can be found in skeleton and
teeth. Phosphorus in addition to its function in bone building is also required in the utilization
of energy and in the cell structure. They are also the ones most often added to ruminant diets.
Animals usually require 1.5 parts of Ca for every part of P. Phosphorous deficiency can be
regarded as the most prevalent and serious mineral limitation to livestock production
(McDowell, 1985). However, to meet the dietary requirements of cattle, P supplementation
should be seriously considered. The dietary P concentration needed to meet dietary
requirements varies widely with feed intake, breed, body weight, growth rate and
physiological state (Chantiratikul et al., 2009). Kearl (1982) recommended P requirements for
tropical beef cattle ranging from 1.7-3.5 g kg-1 feed.

2.8. Reproductive and Productive Performance of Cows

Reproductive performance of a cow is measured by several factors such as age at

first calving, calving interval, days open and number of services per consumption
(Dematawewa and Berger, 1998). On the other hand, productive performance of
cows is measured by daily and lactation milk yield. However, both productive and
reproductive performance are influenced more by genotype and environmental
factors such as nutrition, management and climate.

2.8.1 Age at first calving

Age at first calving determines the beginning of the cow’s productive life and influences her
lifetime productivity (Ojango and Pollott, 2001). Age at first calving has a significant
influence on the total cost of raising dairy replacements with older calving heifers being more
14
expensive to raise than younger (Tozer and Heinrichs, 2001). Estimated age at first calving for
Ethiopian cattle ranges from 35-62 months (McDowell, 1972; Kiwuwa et al., 1983;
Alberro, 1983; Mekonnen and Goshu, 1987; Mukasa-Mugerwa, 1989; Mulugeta et al.,
1991; Hailemariam and Kassamersha, 1994; Ababu, 2002). There are different
factors that advance or delay age at first calving. The time taken by an animal to
attain puberty and sexual maturity depends among others on the quality and quantity
of feed available, which affects growth rate. There has been substantial evidence that
dietary supplementation of heifers during their growth will reduce the interval from
birth to first calving (Kayongo-Male et al., 1982), probably because heifers that grow
faster will cycle earlier and exhibit behavioral estrus. Breed difference among cattle
had also significant effect on age at first calving (Mukasa-Mugerwa, 1989).

2.8.2. Age at first service

It is the age at which heifers attain body condition and sexual maturity for accepting service
for the first time. It influences both the productive and reproductive life of the female through
its effect on her lifetime calf crop. Age at first service is influenced by genotype, nutrition and
other environmental factors. Alberro (1983) reported an earlier age at puberty for zebu crosses
than for the local zebu animals. Besides, the age at first service was reported to be 44.8 months
for Fogera breeds (Giday, 2001), 40.2 months for white Fulani and 21.7 months for crossbreds
(Fulani X Friesian) in Nigeria (Knudeson and Sohael, 1970). Nutritional status is one of the
variables influencing the onset of puberty, which has been relatively well-defined (Schillo et
al., 1992). Moreover, irregularities in feed supply and differences in management systems may
bring about variations in age at first service in different areas (Gebeyehu et al., 2005).

2.8.3. Days open

An increase in the number of days between calving and conception, also known as days open,
influences profitability of the dairy industry. This influence is partly attributed to factors such
as increased breeding cost, increased risk of culling and replacement costs, and reduced milk
production (de Vries and Risco, 2005). Days open is influenced by breeds of cattle. Mekonen
(1987) reported that mean days open periods for pure Fogera and F1 Friesian X Fogera were

15
151±1 and 151±4 days, respectively, whereas, ¾ Friesian XFogera crosses had 361±4 days.
Days open affect lifetime production and generation interval (Ababu, 2002). The days open
period should not exceed 80 to 85 days, if a calving interval of 12 months is to be achieved
(Peters, 1984; Enyew, 1992). This requires re-establishment of ovarian activity soon after
calving and high conception rates. Kefena (2004) also reported the mean length of days open
to be 200.1±25.6 days for Boran crossbred. Nutritional deficiencies coupled with heavy
internal and external parasite load under extensive management systems, and allowing calves
to suckle their dams may all interfere with ovarian function, thereby prolonging the days open
(Short et al., 1990; Hafez, 1993). The effect of low level of nutrition on extended postpartum
period due to weight loss was noted by Gebreegziabher et al. (2005). Moreover, Tadesse and
Zelalem (2004) reported that increasing the level of protein supplementation from low
(2kg/day) to high (4 kg /day) reduced the post partum interval from 159 to 100 days. Cows
that are over conditioned at calving or those that lose excess body weight are more likely to
have a prolonged interval to first oestrus, which could result in longer days open (James,
2006).

2.8.4. Calving interval

Calving interval is a function of calving-to-conception interval or days open, which is

considered to be the most important component determining the length of calving interval, and
gestation length, which is more or less constant. Calving interval varies slightly due to breed,
calf sex, calf size, dam age, year, and month of calving. Mukasa-Mugerwa et al. (1991) and
Kiwuwa et al. (1983) reported the mean calving interval of 459 ± 4 days for crossbred
cattle in Arsi region Ethiopia. Estimates of calving interval in zebu cattle range from
12.2 to 26.6 months (Mukassa- Mugrewa, 1989). Age at first calving can be reduced
with reasonably good management (Kiwuwa et al., 1983). Nutritional conditions that
vary seasonally and yearly have major effects on calving interval (Oyedipe, 1982;
Hailemariam and Kassamersha, 1994). Lower conception rates, longer calving
intervals and an increased incidence of silent heat have been considered to be the
results of energy deficiency (Otterby and Linn, 1981). Increased calving interval is
undesirable, particularly in a production system in which there is a high demand for pregnant

16
or lactating heifer. This can occur if a higher yielding animal produces fewer replacements,
due to negative phenotypic correlation between calving interval and milk production.
However, Österman and Bertilsson (2003) suggested that by combining a longer calving
interval with increased milking frequency, daily milk production from one calving to another
could be increased, making an increased calving interval an interesting option for dairy
farmers.

2.8.5. Milk yield and lactation length

Milk production is affected by genetic and environmental factors. Among the

environmental factors, the quantity and quality of available feed resources are the
major ones. Inadequate level of nutrition has been found to be the most important factor
influencing length of post partum anoestrus in cows grazing tropical pasturelands (Topps and
Oliver, 1993). The milk production potential of indigenous cattle breeds is very low.
However, milk production potential of temperate breeds under improved management
in the tropical environments is higher than the indigenous breeds (Syrstad and
Ruane, 1998). Body condition and body weight are important variables indicating the
nutritional status and expected performance of dairy cows. The plane of nutrition to
which an animal has been exposed over a reasonable length of time is reflected by
the extent to which fat is stored or muscle has diminished and these are assessed by
condition score and live weight change (Mukasa-Mugerewa, 1989). Cows having
optimum body condition and weight imply that they have been maintained under good
feeding and are expected to produce and reproduce efficiently. In general, the quality
and quantity of feed resources available to dairy cows determine the corresponding
body condition and body weight.

In most dairy farms a lactation length of 305 days is commonly accepted as a

standard. However, such a standard lactation length might not work for smallholder
dairy cows where the lactation length is extended considerably in most cases (Msangi
et al., 2005). The profitability of short or extended lactation length depends on various
factors, including the lactation length persistency. Numerous studies have documented that

17
additional days in which cows are not pregnant beyond the optimal time post calving are
costly (Groenendaal et al., 2004; Meadows et al., 2005). According to a report by Tawah et
al. (1999) lactation performance of pure breed Arsi and crosses with Friesian kept at
Assela station in the Arsi region of Ethiopia, was not affected by pre-partum
supplementation with concentrate mixes, however, it was significantly and positively
affected by postpartum concentrate supplementation. However, Borman et al. (2004)
demonstrated that extended lactations are suitable for some dairy enterprises and that the
suitability depends particularly on cow milk potential, the ability to grow pasture or feed
supplements economically, management expertise, environmental constraints, herd size and
labor availability.

18
 3. MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Overview of the Study

This study was conducted in two livestock production systems viz. peri-urban dairy system of
the highlands and mixed-crop livestock system of the Central Rift Valley (CRV). Debre
Birhan, Sebeta and Jimma were considered to represent the highland peri-urban dairy system
while Ziway was a representation of CRV livestock production system. In this study, peri-
urban system constitutes those dairy farms which are located outside of the city/town’s
boundary (a distance of 5 to 10 kilometers), produce milk and deliver the same to city/towns.
Crossbred cows with any exotic blood level inheritance were used for the peri-urban dairy
system of the highland. Variables under productive and reproductive performance of cattle
were estimated based on the farmer’s estimation.

3.2. Description of the Study Areas

Debre Birhan is found in North Shoa administrative zone of the Amhara National Regional
State and is located 130 km north of the capital Addis Ababa, at 39°30' East longitude and
09°36' North latitude. It is a typical highland area with an elevation of 3360 masl. It has a
bimodal rainfall distribution with short and long rainy seasons covering from March to April
and June to September, respectively. It receives an annual average rainfall of 731-1068mm,
and has an annual temperature range of 6-20 OC (Ahmed, 2006). About 52% of this Woreda
falls under the highland (Dega) agro-ecological zone, which is characterized by severe frost
attack every year from October to December. Major crops grown around this area are cereals
such as barley, wheat, field pea, faba bean and chickpea. Barley straw constituted the largest
share of crop residue fed to livestock.

Sebeta is located 25 km Southwest of Addis Ababa and situated at a latitude and longitude of
8°55′N, and 38°37′E, respectively. It has an elevation of 2356 meters above sea level. The area
is classified as temperate highland or «Dega», with an annual rainfall of about 1650 mm. The
mean annual minimum and maximum temperature is 8 OC and 19 OC, respectively. Sebeta is
the administrative center of Alem Gena Woreda. Based on the report of Central Statistical

19
Agency (CSA, 2008) Sebeta town has an estimated total human population of 56,131 of whom
27,862 were males and 28,269 were females.

Jimma is located at 350 km away from the capital Addis Ababa. It is the largest city in the
South Western Ethiopia. It lies between 360 10´ E longitude and 70 40´ N latitude (Dechassa,
2000). Its altitude is 2060 masl. Farmers in the area practice mixed crop-livestock farming.
The zone is one of the major coffee growing areas of southwest Ethiopia; cultivated and wild
coffee is a main cash crop of the area. Jimma zone is well endowed with natural resources
contributing significantly to the national economy of the country. Major crops grown, other
than coffee, are maize, tef (Eragrostis tef), sorghum, barley, pulses (beans and peas), root
crops (Enset-false banana and potato) and fruits. Tef and honey production are another sources
of cash after coffee. Enset (Ensete ventricosum) is a strategic crop substantially contributing to
the food security of the zone (CSA, 2004). According to Jimma Zone Meteorology Station
Report (JZMSR) (2004), the climate is humid tropical with bimodal heavy annual rainfall,
ranging from 1200 to 2800 mm. In normal years, the rainy season extends from February to
early October. The thirteen years mean annual minimum and maximum temperature of the
area was 11.3 OC and 26.2 OC, respectively. Based on the report of Central Statistical Agency
(CSA, 2008) Jimma has an estimated total human population of 810598 of whom 407813
were males and 402785 were females.

Ziway area representing Central Rift Valley is situated at a distance ranging from 130 to 160
km south of the capital, Addis Ababa. The altitude of this area lies from 1500-1700 masl. The
average annual rainfall of the area is about 688 mm and its mean maximum and minimum
temperatures are 27.20C and 14.4oC, respectively. Based on figures from the Central Statistical
Agency (CSA, 2008) an estimated total human population at Ziway and its surrounding were
287710 of whom 146398 were males and 141312 were females.

20
 Figure 1 Map of the study sites

3.3. Sampling Procedures

A reconnaissance survey was conducted in order to select specific peasant associations (PA),
livestock farmers and to get general picture of the study sites. Secondary information from
Woreda and Zonal Agricultural and Rural Development offices was also utilized to assist in
the selection of PAs. The highland peri-urban dairy system was represented by Debre Birhan,
Jimma and Sebeta, which were later stratified into small and medium herd size dairy farms
based on the number of crossbred cows they possess. Large scale commercial dairy farms
(own more than 10 crossbred dairy cows) were not considered in this study since they are
already part of the commercial system and relatively better access to feed and other resources.
Accordingly, dairy farms with less than three crossbred dairy cows were categorized as small

21
herd size, while those who had above 3 and less than 10 were considered as medium herd size
(ILRI, 1996). Twenty dairy farms (10 from each small and medium herd size) were
purposively selected from the peri-urban system of each town in the highland production
system. Thus, a total of 60 dairy farms (20 from each site ) were selected from the highland
peri-urban areas.

The mixed crop-livestock production system of the Central Rift Valley was represented by
Ziway area. A total of 9 PAs were identified from Ziway and the surrounding areas based on
accessibility and availability of livestock. A total of 60 farmers from 9 PAs were selected
purposively from the list of farmers who had livestock based on the same criteria.

In both production systems, a total of 120 respondents were selected for the study. For both
production systems a structured questionnaire was prepared and pre-tested for its applicability
before its administration. Interview was done by the researcher together with the livestock
experts and development agents from the respective agricultural offices. These experts were
used as translators for the local language ‘Oromifa’ and as a local guide to lead to the selected
farmers. The interviews were carried out at the farmer’s home to enable counterchecking of
the farmer’s response with respect to the availability of feed resources, livestock population
and species and the overall management system of the farm. A group discussion was also
organized around Ziway with purposively selected elder farmers, who had long
experience and knowledge of livestock raising so as to collect qualitative data and
prioritize livestock production problems.

The following data were collected using questionnaire: household structure, farm size, land
use pattern, herd size, herd composition, purpose of livestock raising, daily milk yield, major
crops grown, crop grain yield, livestock feed types, feed markets, milk price, milk market
places, age at first parturition, calving interval, lactation length, days open, mating systems,
dry matter (DM) production, quantity of total feed and types of housing for livestock.

22
3.4. Feed Quantity Assessment

The quantity of feed dry matter obtainable from natural pastures were determined by
multiplying the hectare under each land use category by their respective estimated annual DM
yield per hectare i.e. 2.0 t/ha (FAO, 1984, 1987). The amount of purchased dry forages such as
hay and straw was determined by estimating a single donkey load or lorry load and for baled
hay by asking how many bales of hay would be purchased for a year. Whenever record was
available, the quantity of purchased feeds was considered from the record. The quantity of
available crop residues produced by farmers was estimated by applying grain to straw ratio as
suggested by FAO (1987). Accordingly, for a ton of wheat, barley, oat and tef straw, a
multiplier of 1.5 was used for faba bean, field pea, chick pea and haricot bean straw a
multiplier of 1.2 used for maize a multiplier of 2.0 was used and for sorghum a multiplier of
2.5 was used. The quantity of potentially available crop residue for animal consumption was
estimated by assuming 10% wastage (Adugna and Said, 1994). The amount of grain yield
obtained from the respective crops was quantified by interviewing the farmers and cross
checking it with the data recorded by development workers for any deviation. The quantity of
concentrates and non-conventional feed resources were estimated by interviewing the farm
owners with regard to the frequency and quantity purchased per month. The grazing potential
of crop stubbles was estimated using a mean of 0.5 ton per ha as reported by FAO (1987). The
potential fodder yield of shrubs and trees were estimated by measuring stem diameter using
measuring tape and using the equation of Petmak (1983). Accordingly leaf yield of 144 fodder
trees was predicted by using the allometric equation of log W = 2.24 log DT -1.50, where W =
leaf yield in kilograms of dry weight and DT is trunk diameter (cm) at 130 cm height.
Similarly, trunk diameter (DT) can be obtained by: DT = 0.636C; where C=circumference in
centimeter (cm). For the leaf yield of a shrub the allometric equation used was log W = 2.62
log DS -2.46, where DS is the stem diameter in cm at 30 cm height.

3.5. Estimation of Forage Biomass Yield

To determine the potential forage biomass yield and dry matter production in the Central Rift
Valley, representative samples of grass and herbaceous vegetation were taken from an
enclosure. The site used for enclosure was made by the local NGO named as Selam
23
Environmental Development Association (SEDA) 15 years ago. The enclosure was kept by
guards with the help of local bylaw, which was set together with the surrounding community.
In the wet season, it was totally protected from livestock entrance and in the dry season only
few numbers of oxen are allowed to graze. Representative samples of grass, legumes and other
forbs were taken by making transect lines. Palatable grasses species in natural vegetation were
identified together with herders and range expert and further classification was made as
decreasers, increasers and invaders (Baars et al., 1997; Ahmed, 2006). Sampling was done
from the 15th August to 15th September 2008 when almost all the pasture plants were fully
grown to their 50% flowering stage.

In each quadrat (1m x 1m), harvesting was done at the ground level. From each quadrat fresh
weight of harvested samples was taken immediately by using a spring balance of 20 g
precision. For further chemical analysis, a composite sample was taken from the bulk samples.
A composite sample was transported to Adami Tullu Agricultural Research Center nutrition
O
laboratory and dried in an oven at 105 C overnight for dry matter determination. For
chemical analysis, the same feed samples were dried in an oven at 60 OC to a constant weight.
Oven dried feed samples were thoroughly mixed by feed type and ground to pass through 1
mm sieve. Then the ground sample was transported to Holetta Agricultural Research Center
for chemical analysis.

3.6. Assessment of Livestock Feed Requirement

The annual availability of feed was compared with the annual requirements of the livestock
population. Livestock populations were converted in to Tropical Livestock Unit (TLU) as
suggested by Gryseels (1988) for indigenous zebu cattle and Bekele (1991) for crossbreds.
The dry matter (DM) requirements for maintenance were calculated based on daily DM
requirements of a 250 kg dual-purpose tropical cattle (an equivalent of one TLU). Nutrients
supplied by each feed types were estimated from the total DM output and nutrients content of
that feed on DM basis (Abdinasir, 2000; Tsigeyohannes, 2000). The total nutrient
requirements (DM, crud protein (CP) and metabolizable energy (ME)) per day per livestock
species were estimated based on the recommendations of Kearl (1982) and McCarthy (1986)
for tropical livestock (Appendix Table 2).
24
3.7. Chemical Analysis of Feed Samples

Chemical analysis of feedstuffs was performed at Holetta Agricultural Research Center

nutrition laboratory. DM and ash contents of feed samples were determined by oven drying at
105 OC overnight and by igniting in a muffle furnace at 600 OC for 6 hour, respectively
(AOAC, 1990). Nitrogen (N) content was determined by Kjeldahl method and Crude Protein
(CP) was calculated as N*6.25 (AOAC, 1995). Calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) content
were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Perkin, 1982). Acid Detergent
Fiber (ADF), Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), and In vitro
Digestible Organic Matter in the Dry Matter (IVDOMD) were determined by the modified
Tilley and Terry method (Van Soest and Robertson, 1985). Metabolisable Energy (ME) and
Digestible Crude Protein (DCP) content of a particular feed were estimated from IVDOMD
and CP contents, respectively, as per the following equations.
ME (MJ/kg DM) =0.015*IVDOMD (g/kg). (MAFF, 1984).
DCP (g) = 0.929*CP (g) -3.48. (Church and Pond, 1982).

3.8. Milk and Feed Price Assessment

Data on price of milk and feed was collected from each site at the time of the survey period
(for a maximum of two months) from market as well as through interviewing the
farmer/producer, retailers and using some records from dairy cooperatives.

3.9. Statistical Analysis

Data collected were stratified into production systems and analysed using Statistical Analysis
System software (SAS, 2002). Descriptive statistics were employed to describe qualitative
variables. General Liner Model (GLM) procedure of SAS was employed to analyse the effect
of classification variables. Means separation was done using Tukey adjustment.

25
Statistical Models

Model I. General Model: Peri-urban dairy in the Highland and CRV mixed crop-livestock
production system.
yijk= µ+Pi+Sj+eijk
Where,
yijk= Household variables
µ=overall mean
Pi= the effect of ith production system
Sj= the effect of jth study sites
eijk= random error

Model II. Specific to Peri-urban dairy production system of the Highland

yijk=µ+ Sj+ Hi +(SH)ij +eijk
Where,
yijk= Productive and reproductive performance of dairy cows
µ=overall mean
Sj= the effect of jth study sites
Hi= the effect of ith herd size
(SH)ij= the interaction effect of study sites and herd size
eijk= random error

Model III. Specific to Central Rift Valley mixed crop-livestock production system.
yij= µ+PAi+eij
Where,
yij= Productive and reproductive performance of cows
µ=overall mean
PAi= the effect of ith Peasant Associations (PA)
eij= random error.

26
 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1. Farming Systems Characteristics

4.1.1. Household characteristics

In the Highland (Debre Birhan, Sebta and Jimma) system, about 86.7% of the respondents
were male dairy farmers while 13.3% were females (Table 1). In the Central Rift Valley
(around Ziway) out of 60 livestock farmers considered, 93% and 7% were male and female
headed households, respectively. The results of the current work differ from the report of
Azage (2004) who reported 33% female headed households and 67% male headed household
livestock keepers in Addis Ababa. Less number of female headed households involved in
livestock keeping in the current study could probably be due to cultural issues that force
females to get married and/or for economic reason. Of the interviewed households in the
Central Rift Valley (CRV), 68% of the household heads had one wife while the rest 30% had
two or more wives and the remaining 2% did not marry yet. Polygamy type of marriage is
fairly uncommon in the highland study areas as compared to the Central Rift Valley. The
average number of children per household in the highlands was 1.6 while for CRV the average
was 5.2. It could presumably be associated with the wealth status and a number of children are
required so as to meet the labor force for different farm operations and also considered as a
means of security in CRV. Similarly, study by Agajie et al. (2005) indicated that having many
wives is one of wealth indicators and commonly practiced type of marriage in the Central Rift
Valley.

27
Table 1 Demographic characteristic of the respondents in the highlands and Central Rift
Valley production systems

Household variables Highland Central Rift

Valley
DB Jimma Sebeta Total Ziway
Sex of household head n=20 n=20 n=20 n=60 n=60
Male (%) 100.0 80.0 80.0 86.7 93.3
Female (%) 0.0 20.0 20.0 13.3 6.7
Over all (%) 100 100 100 100 100
Children n=48 n=30 n=23 n=101 n=314
Mean 2.4 1.5 1.2 1.6 5.2
Wives
n=20 n=20 n=20 n=60 n=60
One (%) 100.0 80.0 80.0 86.7 68.3
Two (%) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 23.3
Three (%) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.7
DB= Debre Birhan, n=number of respondents

The educational level of the households was better in Highland production systems (Debre
Birhan, Jimma and Sebeta) than Central Rift Valley. Thus, about 45% of the farmers in
Highland production system have attended either high school or college education compared
to 10% in CRV (Table 2). On the other hand, about 3.3% farmers in the Highland production
system were illiterate while the figure for CRV was 18.3%. The difference could be attributed
to better access of schools in the Highland system compared to the CRV. About 40% of the
dairy farmers in Sebeta and 55% of the dairy farmers in Jimma had attended secondary school
or college. Within the Highland system, about 10% of the respondents in Debre Birhan were
illiterate. Farmers with high education levels adopt usually new technologies more rapidly
than lower educated farmers (Ekwe and Nwachukwu, 2006; Ngongoni et al., 2006; Ofukou et
al., 2009).

28
 Table 2 Educational level of respondents (household heads) across the study sites

Production system Educational status of household heads

Study sites Illiterate Read and Primary Junior High Above high Total (%)
(%) write only school secondary school (%) school (%)
(%) (%) school (%)
Highland
DB (n=20) 10.0 35.0 30.0 10.0 15.0 0.0 100.0
Jimma (n=20) 0.0 5.0 20.0 0.0 20.0 55.0 100.0
Sebeta (n=20) 0.0 10.0 30.0 15.0 40.0 5.0 100.0
Subtotal (n=60) 3.3 16.7 26.7 8.3 25.0 20.0 100.0
CRV
Ziway (n=60) 18.3 13.3 45.0 13.3 8.3 1.7 100.0
Overall (n=120) 10.8 15.0 35.8 10.8 16.7 10.8 100.0
DB= Debre Birhan, n= number of respondents.

29
The average family size per household across the surveyed areas was 8.9±0.5 (Table 3). The
family size in the CRV (around Ziway) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than the Highland
production system (Debre Birhan, Jimma and Sebeta). However average family size did not
differ (P>0.05) among Debre Birhan, Jimma and Sebeta study sites. The large family size
around Ziway area could be related to the relatively labour intensive diversified farming
activities and the weak family planning services. The average number of both males and
females with in the household was higher (P<0.05) for CRV as compared with the Highland
study sites.

The age of respondents interviewed ranged from 23 to 78 years old with a mean age of 47±1.7
years old. The mean number of family members in a non-productive age category per
household was higher (P<0.05) in the Central Rift Valley than in the Highland production
system. The difference might be associated with number of children. In Jimma and Sebeta
areas hired labor was living together with the household and considered as a member of the
family. On the other hand in Debre Birhan and around Ziway areas livestock related activities
were exclusively undertaken by the family members.

30
 Table 3 Mean (±SE) of household family sizes, active and non-active labor group and gender
distribution in the Highlands and Central Rift Valley systems

Production system Age of Family size/household Non- Productive

respondents productive age**
Male Female Total age*

Highland
DB (n=20) 48.6±2.2 3.7±0.2b 3.7±0.3 7.4±0.2 2.5±0.3 4.9±0.4
ab
Jimma (n=20) 48.4±2.7 4.2±0.4 3.3±0.3 7.5±0.5 1.6±0.4 6.0±0.5
b
Sebeta (n=20) 45.8±3.8 3.4±0.3 3.7±0.4 7.1±0.6 1.3±0.2 5.8±0.6
Mean (n=60) 47.6±1.7 3.8±0.3b 3.6±0.2b 7.3±0.5 1.8 ±0.3b 5.6±0.3
CRV
Ziway (n=60) 46.3±1.8 5.3±0.4a 5.2±0.3a 10.5±0.6 5.6±0.4a 4.9±0.3
Overall mean (n=120) 46.9±2.6 4.5±0.3 4.4±0.3 8.9±0.5 3.7±0.3 5.2±0.5
a-b
means in the same column sharing different letters of superscripts are significantly different (P<0.05),
HH=Household, DB=Debre Birhan, * Family members less than 15 and above 65 years old as ‘non-productive
age’ (CSA, 1999), ** Family members of 15 to 65 years old as ‘productive age’ (CSA, 1999).

4.1.2. Landholding and land use pattern

In this study, it has been observed that farmers own land only in Debre Birhan from Highland
production system and in Ziway from Central Rift Valley mixed crop-livestock production
system; whereas in Jimma and Sebeta the interviewed farmers did not have any farmland.
Thus, the overall average private land holding per household in Debre Birhan was 1.8 ha, out
of which 1.1 and 0.7 ha of land were allocated for crop production and grazing, respectively
(Table 4). Surprisingly, in this area, the largest share of land used for crop production, grazing
and or grass hay making was obtained every year through contractual/rent basis. The relatively
small size of the landholdings in Debre Birhan compared to CRV is related to the high
population density in the Highlands.

In the Central Rift Valley (CRV), the average landholding (4.2±0.4 ha) was substantially
larger than Debre Birhan. About 3.2 ha of land was used for crop production and 1.3 ha for
grazing pastureland. The amount of land contracted/rented in for crop farming and livestock
31
grazing was smaller than the area owned by each household. Hay making from grass for
animal feed is rare in this area and own grazing land plus contract/rent lands used as grazing
resources during the heavy rainy seasons.

Major crops grown and their area coverage in Debre Birhan include barley (1.6 ha), wheat (0.5
ha) field pea (0.7 ha), faba bean (0.5 ha). Common crops grown and their coverage in Ziway
includes maize (1.4 ha), wheat (0.9 ha), haricot bean (0.7 ha), tef (0.6 ha) and barley (0.4 ha).
Maize and haricot bean are well adapted to the Ziway area (lowland). The largest land per
household was allotted for barley crop in Debre Birhan but for maize crop in the Central Rift
Valley (Ziway).

Table 4 Average landholdings per household and land use pattern in Debre Birhan and Ziway

Debre Birhan Overall DB Ziway

Small herd size Medium herd size

n= 10 n=10 n=20 n=60
Landholding (ha)
Total own land* 1.5±0.1 2.2±0.3 1.8±0.2b 4.2±0.4a
Own cropland 1.0±0.1 1.2±0.2 1.1±0.1b 3.2±0.3a
Own grazing land 0.5±0.1 1.0±0.1 0.7±0.1 1.0±0.2

Contracted/rented
Cropland
2.1±0.5 2.2±0.4 2.1±0.3a 0.7±0.2b
Grazing land
0.6±0.2 0.6±0.1 0.8±0.1 0.4±0.1
Land allocated for crops (ha)
Wheat 0.5±0.1 0.5±0.1 0.5±0.1b 0.9±0.1a
Barley 1.5±0.3 1.8±0.2 1.6±0.2a 0.4±0.1b
Tef 0.1±0.0 - 0.1±0.1b 0.6±0.1a
Field pea 0.2±0.1 0.1±0.0 0.7±0.2 -
Faba bean 0.5±0.2 0.3±0.1 0.5±0.1 -
Oats 0.4±0.1 0.6±0.2 0.5±0.1 -
Maize - - - 1.4±0.2
Haricot bean - - - 0.7±0.1
a-b
means in the same row with different letter of superscripts are significantly different from each other (P<0.05),
* own land excluding contracted/rented land, n =number of respondents, DB= Debre Birhan.
32
4.1.3. Crop yields

The average grain yield of field crops and their residue yield in Debre Birhan and Ziway study
sites is shown in Table 5. During the study period, some of the crops failed to produce grain
seed because of late and untimely rainfall around Ziway and because of ice, pulse crops in
Debre Birhan. Partly these circumstances might underestimate the dry matter yield obtained
from some crop residues. The grain yield was relatively high for barley in Debre Birhan and
for maize in Ziway area. The major crop residue yield in Debre Birhan was contributed by
barley, oats and wheat whereas around Ziway, maize realized the highest crop residue yield
followed by wheat and barley. In general, straw yields increased with higher grain yields in
both study areas.

Table 5 Grain and crop residue yield (t ha-1) for common field crops grown in Debre Birhan of
the Highland and Ziway of Central Rift Valley production system

Crop types Study sites Grain yield Straw yield

Debre Birhan Overall Overall
Small herd size Medium herd size
Grain Straw Grain Straw

Wheat 1.4±0.2 1.8±0.3 1.5±0.2 2.1±0.3 1.5±0.2 2.0±0.2

Barley 2.2±0.2 2.9±0.3 1.5±0.1 2.0±0.1 1.8±0.1 2.5±0.2
Tef 0.6±0.2 0.8±0.3 - - 0.6±0.2 0.8±0.3
Field pea 1.8±0.7 1.9±0.8 0.5±0.0 0.6±0.0 1.5±0.6 1.6±0.6
Faba bean 1.9±0.4 2.1±0.4 1.1±0.3 1.2±0.3 1.6±0.3 1.7±0.3
Oats 1.6±0.3 2.1±0.5 1.5±0.2 2.1±0.2 1.6±0.2 2.1±0.2
Ziway
Wheat 1.5±0.1 2.7±0.2
Barley 1.3±0.0 1.8±0.1
Tef 0.7±0.0 0.9±0.1
Maize 1.9±0.2 3.5±0.3
Haricot bean 0.8±0.1 2.0±0.2

33
4.1.4. Livestock population, herd structure and purpose of livestock rearing

About 95% of the interviewed dairy farmers in the Highland production system possessed
crossbred cattle (Table 6). Only few local cattle breed (purchased oxen) were kept by the
respondents in this system. On the other hand, almost all cattle breeds in CRV (Ziway) area
were indigenous breed types. Dairy farmers in the Highland study sites had comparatively
better access to get inputs such as crossbred animals and commercial feeds. In addition, these
farmers had more experience in raising crossbred cattle than those livestock owners involved
in crossbred animal rearing at CRV (Ziway) area.

In the Central Rift Valley (CRV) area, a larger number of herds were kept to maintain draught
oxen related to the larger cropland. In addition, due to risks and uncertainties of crop
agriculture associated with drought and other factors, farmers in the CRV always keep large
number of indigenous livestock species. In the Highland system, crop area is small because of
the limited land available. In Debre Birhan crossbred male cattle were maintained within the
herd for traction. Crossbred male calves were immediately culled out at Jimma and Sebeta to
reduce cost of production. Income generation with milk production is the primary objective for
having crossbred animals in Highland system.

34
Table 6 Percentage of respondents keeping crossbred and local cattle breeds and years of
experience with crossbreds in the Highland and Central Rift Valley

Production Cattle breed Years of experience with crossbred cattle

system
Crossbred Local bred 2 to 5 years Last 10 years Over 10 years
Highland
DB 20 (90.9%) 2 (9.1%) 2 (10%) 10 (50%) 8 (40%)
Jimma 20 (95.2%) 1 (4.8%) 8 (40%) 7 (35%) 5 (25%)
Sebeta 20 (100.0%) - 7 (35%) 2 (10%) 11 (55%)
Total 60 (95.4%) 3 (4.6%) 17 (28.3%) 19 (31.7%) 24 (40%)
CRV
Ziway 2 (3.2%) 60 (96.8%) 2 (3.3%) - -
DB= Debre Birhan, Figures outside of the bracket indicate number of respondents.

In the Central Rift Valley, livestock were mainly held to satisfy both milk and traction needs
(Table 7). About 62 and 50% of the farmers in the Highland system held livestock for milk
and dung cake production respectively. All farmers at Debre Birhan keep cattle for both
traction and milk purposes while at Jimma and Sebeta dairy farmers keep cattle only for milk
production. Animal dung around Ziway was used to fertilize croplands and few farmers used it
for their grazing lands. Dairy farmers from Debre Birhan and Sebeta used dung mostly to
make dung cake to sale at the local market or for satisfying family’s own energy needs.
However, in Jimma, dairy farmers considered dung as a waste and did not use it in a
productive way. This resulted in complaints of neighboring community and urban
municipalities on pollution of the surrounding due to bad odor. In general, the extension
service in Jimma seems not effective to educate and train dairy farmers in the proper use or
disposal of dung.

35
Table 7 Purpose of livestock keeping in the Highland and Central Rift Valley production
systems

Study sites Purpose of keeping cattle Manure

Both traction Milk production As fertilizer As dung cake
and milk only (%) (%)
(% ) (% )

Yes No Yes No Yes No Yes No

Highland
DB (n=20) 100 - - 100 100 - 100 -
Jimma (n=20) 5 95 95 5 5 95 - 100
Sebeta (n=20) 10 90 90 10 10 100 50 50
Total (n=60) 38.3 61.7 61.7 38.3 38.3 61.7 50.0 50.0

CRV
Ziway (n=60) 100 - - 100 100 - 100
DB= Debre Birhan, n= number of respondents, CRV= Central Rift Valley

The average number of livestock holding per household for the study site is shown in Table 8.
The average livestock holding per household in both Highland and CRV (Ziway) was the
same (15.6±0.2 TLU). Average cattle holding per household was markedly higher (P<0.05)
for the Ziway area than Highland production system.

The average number of sheep per household was higher in the Highland system whereas the
average number of goats was the higher (P<0.05) in the CRV. Within Highland production
system, the number of sheep per household was higher (P<0.05) at Debre Birhan than the rest
of study sites. The highest number of sheep in Debre Birhan is because of suitable weather
conditions and better grazing lands. On the other hand, larger number of goats around Ziway
area may be because of the better adaptation of goats to hot (lowland) conditions.

36
The average number of horses per household was much larger (P<0.05) in the Highland
production system than Central Rift Valley. The mean number of horses was markedly
(P<0.05) varied at Debre Birhan area than the rest of the study sites within the Highland
system. The greater number of horses in the Highland system might be related to better
adaptation to the environment and suitability of these animals for people to overcome
transport problems associated with rugged terrains. At Jimma and Sebeta horses were rarely
kept, but purchased from other areas for pulling carts. The average number of donkeys per
household in the Central Rift Valley was higher (P<0.05) than in the Highland production
system. Donkeys are mainly used for pack in the Highland system. However, in the CRV
(around Ziway) donkeys are used for both pack and pulling cart. Recently and still uncommon
farmers because of shortage of draught oxen, are pairing a donkey with an ox for plowing
during sowing periods in Central Rift Valley system (Figure 2).

Figure 2 Pairing a donkey with an ox for plowing around Ziway

37
Table 8 Herd size and herd structure (Mean ±SE) per household in the Highland and Central Rift Valley production system

Livestock Highland CRV Highland CRV

species
DB Jimma Sebeta Overall Ziway TLU
mean DB Jimma Sebeta Overall Ziway
mean
Cattle 11.8±0.7 11.9±1.5 8.8±1.5 10.8±0.7b 19.4±2.0a 14.6±0.9 13.3±1.7 11.6±1.9 13.2±0.9 12.4±1.2
Cows 3.7±0.3 5.0±0.7 5.0±0.7 4.6±0.4 5.8±0.6 6.6±0.6 9.0±1.3 9.0±1.3 8.2±0.6a 4.6±0.5b
Oxen 2.8±0.3x 0.2±0.1y 0.6±0.3y 1.2±0.2b 3.8±0.4a 4.2±0.5 0.2±0.1 0.7±0.3 1.7±0.3b 4.2±0.4a
Heifers 1.5±0.3 3.1±0.6 1.7±0.4 2.1±0.3 3.2±0.5 1.0±0.2 2.1±0.4 1.2±0.3 1.4±0.2 1.6±0.2
Bulls 1.0±0.2x 0.7±0.2x 0.1±0.1y 0.6±0.1 0.8±0.1 1.6±0.4 0.8±0.2 0.2±0.1 0.9±0.2 0.8±0.1
Calves 3.0±0.3 3.0±0.5 1.4±0.3 2.4±0.2b 5.9±0.8a 1.2±0.1 1.2±0.2 0.6±0.1 1.0±0.1 1.2±0.2
Sheep 24.2±2.9x 0.7±0.6y 2.7±0.8y 9.2±1.7 5.2±1.6 2.4±0.3 0.1±0.0 0.3±0.1 0.9±0.2 0.5±0.2
Goats 0.7±0.5 - 0.4±0.3 0.3±0.2b 12.7±2.3a 0.1±0.0 - 0.1±0.0 0.1±0.0b 1.3±0.2a
Horses 1.9±0.3x 1.1±0.2y 0.1±0.0z 1.0±0.2a 0.1±0.0b 1.5±0.2 0.8±0.2 0.1±0.0 0.8±0.1a 0.1±0.0b
Donkeys 3.1±0.3x - 1.0±0.26y 1.4±0.2b 2.8±0.5a 1.5±0.1 - 0.5±0.1 1.0±0.1b 1.4±0.2a
Total herd size 20.1±0.3 14.3±0.4 12.5±0.3 15.6±0.2 15.6±0.2
a-b
means with different letters of superscripts in the same row differ significantly (P<0.05), x-z means with different letters of superscripts in the same row
differ significantly (P<0.05), TLU= Tropical Livestock Unit. DB= Debre Birhan, CRV= Central Rift Valley.

38
4.1.5. Gender labor division for livestock related activities

Milking was commonly done twice a day in the morning and evening in both Highland and
Central Rift Valley production systems. In general milking was always done by females in
CRV (around Ziway) while in the Highland system ( Jimma and Sebeta) in only 15% of the
cases (Figure 3). In Debre Birhan, this activity was well divided among both sexes. In Debre
Birhan and Ziway areas, more than half of both males and females took care of pregnant cows
whereas in Jimma and Sebeta about half of the males were involved.

Cattle herding was common in Debre Birhan and Ziway areas. In contrary, in Jimma and
Sebeta all herds were confined in a house. As shown in Figure 3, 65% of cattle herding
activity was undertaken by males in both Debre Birhan and Ziway areas. The frequency of
cleaning animals’ barn varies from area to area and type of production system. Subsequently,
barn cleaning was largely done by females in Debre Birhan while in Jimma and Sebeta it was
mainly a task of males. On the other hand, this activity was mostly undertaken by both sexes
around Ziway area. Larger proportion of females involved in barn cleaning at Debre Birhan
could be because of less attention was given by males as a result of different on-farm
activities. In Jimma and Sebeta areas, dairying was run by hired labor of male sex.

Herd feeding was mainly carried out by both sexes at Debre Birhan, but at Sebeta and Jimma,
it was by male sex (Figure 3). Similarly, in all study areas feed collection activities such as
collection of hay, crop residue and purchase of feeds were exclusively the task of males. Milk
selling was in most cases performed by males in Jimma and Sebeta and it was as a whole a job
of females around Ziway area. Both sexes were largely involved in milk selling activity at
Debre Birhan.

39
Figure 3 Participation of males and females in livestock activities

40
4.1.6. Animal housing

House types that were used to keep livestock during the nighttime are presented in Table 9. In
the Highland production system animal houses were mostly concrete floor types with roofs
while in the Central Rift valley (Ziway) animal houses were of the type kraal. Animal houses
with concrete floor and roofs accounted for 75 % and 100% of the houses types in Jimma and
Sebeta, respectively. In Debre Birhan, the houses were built with a stone floor and roof.

Table 9 Animal houses types used in the Highland study sites and Central Rift Valley (as % of
respondents)

House types Highland CRV

DB Jimma Sebeta Ziway
Concrete floor with roof - 15 (75%) 20 (100%) -
Stone floor with roof 20 (100%) 2 (10%) - -
Mud floor with roof - 1 (5%) - -
Both mud and wooden floor with roof - 1 (5%) - -
Wooden floor with roof - 1 (5%) - -
Kraal - - - 60 (100%)
DB= Debre Birhan, CRV=Central Rift Valley, Figures outside of the bracket indicate number of respondents.

4.1.7. Watering management

Main sources of water in Highland production system (Debere Birhan, Jimma and Sebeta)
were river and tap water (Table 10). In Jimma and Sebeta, the main source of water for cattle
was tap water, while in Debre Birhan water for cattle was obtained from rivers (95%).

41
Table 10 Major sources of water for livestock in the Highland production system

Highland study sites Water sources

River Pond Spring water Tap water
Debre Birhan 19 (95%) - 1 (5%) -
Jimma 5 (25%) 1 (5%) - 14 (70%)
Sebeta - - - 20 (100%)
Total 24 (40%) 1 (1.7%) 1 (1.7%) 34 (56.7%)
Figures outside of the bracket indicate number of respondents.

In the Central Rift Valley, around Ziway there were various sources of water for cattle (Table
11). Almost half of the interviewed livestock farmers in this area got water for livestock from
the lake (Lake Ziway) followed by combination of lake and river (22%). Despite the smaller
contribution of other water sources, water shortage is the major constraint in the dry season for
peasant associations (PAs) situated far away from the Lake Ziway and main rivers. Based on
personal observation, herders in these areas traveled long distances with their cattle for 9 to 12
hours a day in every other day to reach to the watering points. Sometimes, conflict aggravated
in the border areas between Guraghie and Oromo tribes for the use of water from rivers. As a
result, robbing cattle was common as it was reported by the respondents during the interview
period.

42
Table 11 Water sources for cattle in Central Rift Valley (Ziway)

Water sources n Percent (%) of respondents

River only 3 5.0
River, pond and lake 2 3.3
River, spring and lake 1 1.7
River and tap water 1 1.7
River and lake 13 21.7
Pond only 2 3.3
Pond and lake 4 6.7
Tap water only 4 6.7
Tap water and lake 1 1.7
Lake only 29 48.3
Total 60 100
n=number of respondents

As indicated in Table 12, in the Highland production system (Debre Birhan, Jimma and
Sebeta) water is available close to farms and dairy farmers did not trek their animals to distant
areas. However, around Ziway area, about 54 and 22% of the respondents indicated that
animals traveled to get water for a distance of up to 5 and more than 10 km far, respectively.
Trekking to a longer distance could probably have exacerbated weight loss of animals. A
similar report by Girma et al. (2009) indicated that animals consume less water if they have to
travel further to the source. Moreover, trekking animals with the same route frequently for
water was resulted in environmental degradation in some areas around Lake Ziway as shown
in Figure 4.

43
Table 12 The proportion (%) of livestock owners travelling with their animals to different
distances of watering points in the Highlands and Central Rift Valley

Production system Distance category

Watered at <1 km 1-5 km 6-10 km >10 km
home

Highland
Debre Birhan (n=20) 5.0 75.0 20.0 - -
Jimma (n=20) 95.0 5.0 - - -
Sebeta (n=20) 100.0 - - - -
Total (n=60) 66.7 26.7 6.7 - -
CRV
Ziway (n=60) 5.1 6.8 54.2 11.9 22.0
n= number of respondents

Figure 4 Degraded land following livestock trekking for water around the Lakeshore of Ziway

44
Watering frequency for livestock species during the dry season in the Highlands and Central
Rift Valley is indicated in Table 13. In the Highland production system (Debre Birhan, Jimma
and Sebeta), dairy farmers mostly provide water twice a day for cattle and equines, whereas
shoats once a day. However, in CRV (around Ziway), 47, 22 and 47% of the interviewed
respondents watered cattle, small ruminants and equines once in two days, respectively. Of all
respondents 10, 35 and 12% in Debre Birhan, Jimma and around Ziway, respectively, were
able to provide water adlibtum. In general, watering frequency decreased as the distance to
water accessing point increased and vice versa (Kassahun et al., 2008).

Table 13 Watering frequency for livestock species during the dry season in the Highlands and
Central Rift Valley.

Livestock Watering Highland CRV

species frequency
DB Jimma Sebeta Total Ziway
n=20 n=20 n=20 n=60 n=60
Cattle Adlibtum 2 (10%) 7 (35%) - 9 (15%) 8 (13%)
Twice a day 15 (75%) 5 (25%) 12 (60%) 32 (53%) 3 (5%)
Once a day 3 (15%) 8 (40%) 8 (40%) 19 (32%) 21 (35%)
Once in two days - - - - 28 (47%)
Shoats Adlibtum - 10 (50%) - 10 (16%) 7 (12%)
Twice a day 5 (25%) - 14 (70%) 19 (32%) 4 (6%)
Once a day 12 (60%) 10 (50) 6 (30%) 28 (47%) 23 (38%)
Once in two days 3 (15%) - - 3 (5%) 13 (22%)
Once in three days - - - - 13 (22%)
Equines Adlibtum - 7 (35%) - 7 (12%) 7 (12%)
Twice a day 16 (80%) 3 (15%) 14 (70%) 33 (55%) 3 (5%)
Once a day 4 (20%) 10 (50%) 6 (30%) 20 (33) 22 (36%)
Once in two days - - - - 28 (47%)
n= number of respondents, Figures outside the bracket indicate number of respondents

45
4.1.8. Constraints of livestock production in Central Rift Valley (Ziway)

According to the survey result feed was the major problem identified constraining livestock
production in the Central Rift Valley. Fifty percent (n=30) of the respondents reported feed
shortage due to encroachment of grazing lands and 42% (n=25) reported lack of capital to buy
feed. Based on the output of focused group discussion, feed shortage, water scarcity during the
dry season, low production and productive performance of local breed animals, animal
diseases and soil degradation were the major challenges in a decreasing order for livestock
production and productivity in Central Rift Valley (Table 14).

Table 14 Major problems constraining livestock production in Central Rift Valley (Ziway).

Major constraints Priority levels Rank

n=20
1 2 3 4 5
Feed shortage 18 (90%) 1 (5%) 1 (5%) - - 1
Water scarcity in dry 3 (15%) 14 (70%) 2 (10%) 1 (5%) - 2
season
Low performance of 4 (20%) 3 (15%) 11 (55%) 1 (5%) 1(5%) 3
indigenous animals
Livestock diseases 2 (10%) 3 (15%) 2 (10%) 10 (50 %) 3 (15%) 4
Land degradation 5 (25%) 2 (10%) 2 (10%) 3 (15%) 8 (40%) 5
Numbers in the brackets indicate the proportion of participants, n= total number of participants.

Ninety percent of the participants in the group discussion indicated feed shortage as the major
constraint for livestock production (Table 14). Land shortage for fodder production due to
expansion of crop cultivation even to marginal lands was the major reason. It has been
observed that recently small to large scale investors compete for land along Lake Ziway for
irrigation. As a result, only few lands often of marginal type are left for grazing. It was
indicated during the group discussion that the quality and productivity of natural pastures is
very poor to meet the nutrient requirement of animals. Though crop residues were used to
46
augment feed supply, it is poorly utilized due to in appropriate storage and handling practices.
In addition, feed availability is further decreased due to alternative use of indigenous fodder
trees and crop residues particularly maize stover as a fuel for cooking purposes. Prolonged dry
period and uneven distribution of rainfall particularly in lowland agro-ecological setup such as
Central Rift Valley affected crop production and re-growth of grasses. The availability of
improved forage seeds is low and extension service rendered to this regard was almost
negligible in the study area. Lack of available commercial feeds in the local market was also
pointed out as additional problem.

According to the participants’ opinion, clear land use and management policies need to be
implemented and enforced through administrative bodies. Introduction of alternative energy
sources, consolidated extension service on crop residue storage and efficient utilization,
establishment and management practices of improved forages and soliciting technical
interventions to improve the existing grazing lands were some of the recommendations of the
participants.

Seventy percent of the participants ranked water as a second major problem for livestock
production (Table 14). For most areas far away from Lake Ziway and permanent rivers, water
supply was crucial for animal survival during dry periods. Moving cattle to distant places to
look for drinking water took much time and tiresome work. Besides the risk of siltation to
Lake Ziway, participants also pointed out that the declining water volume of Lake Ziway is
related to increasing use of water by other stakeholders. Livestock farmers are afraid that Lake
Ziway will be depleted gradually because of the increasing claims on its water.

Participants recommended, use of different water harvesting techniques to harvest runoff in

the wet season in order to partly solve the problem. Water harvesting structures like deep wells
and bunds and others need to be constructed with support of the government, NGOs and the
community. Concerning the risks that Lake Ziway faces, participants recommended an
integrated approach involving the participation of all development actors.

Low productive and reproductive performance of local animals was the third major problem
prioritized by 55% of the participants (Table 14). It was emphasized that indigenous animal

47
breeds of the area are generally characterized by small in size, low milk yield, slow growth
rate and remain unproductive for a long period. The amount of milk obtained per day per cow
was not more than a litter, which is insufficient to satisfy family consumption. Uncontrolled
mating system, prevalent in the area, coupled with feed shortage was reported as one of the
contributing factor for low productivity of the animals. Moreover, keeping large number of
animals in the past was considered as an indicator of wealth but presently participants claimed
only counting numbers of heads regardless of production and productivity of livestock. In
some areas NGOs distributed indigenous Borana heifers among selected herders with the
objective of increasing milk yield. Unfortunately, most heifers were died due to their poor
adaptation to the prevailing environmental conditions. Further artificial insemination (AI)
service was not introduced in the study area except around towns.

Participants of the group discussion recommended to focus first on using selected indigenous
cattle germplasm together with adequate supply of inputs like feed, vet services might help to
improve productivity of indigenous stock. Increasing AI service coverage and crossbreeding
with exotic genotype under close supervision would further contribute to resolving the
problems.

Animal disease was the fourth constraint prioritized by 50% of the participants (Table 14).
Prevalent diseases described by participants include the following: Anthrax (local name: Aba
Senga), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) (local name: Manse) pasteurollosis (local name:
Gororsisa), Blackleg (local name: Aba Gorba) and Mastitis (local name: Mucha Ditese). It
was reported that these diseases mostly occur during the short rainy season (March to May),
when the condition of animals is poor due to inadequate feed availability in the preceding dry
period. Ectoparsite infestation was also reported to be high in the wet season of the year.
Veterinary drugs were not commonly used, rather traditional medications extracted from herbs
and trees were used to heal sick animals. It was recommended that efficient health extension
service should be in place in each peasant association in order to overcome animal health
problems.

The participants described that carrying capacity of their grazing land is low in relation to the
number of animals kept on it. Because of this in balance, grasses are overgrazed and little
48
groundcover is left, which favors soil erosion. Destocking as a strategy to regenerate
vegetations was not acceptable for the participants. Because of the many crop failures in
relation with unreliable rainfall in the area, livestock are considered as a life-saving strategy to
overcome such periods. During the main rainy season (July and August) over flow of Meki
river floods to adjacent grazing areas. Following the flood, there was expansion of alien
invasive weeds such as Congress weed (Parthenium) on the farmers’ grazing pastures in some
peasant associations. Apparently, Parthenium seeds have been transported from upper
catchments. Deforestation in the past, overgrazing and in appropriate farming practices such as
plowing to marginal areas were described as additional causes of soil erosion.

Farmers recommended suitable soil and water conservation measures. Further, land
degradation as a result of overgrazing should be overcome with the use of promising and well
adapted forage species together with increasing productivity of the existing grazing lands.
Creating off-farm employment opportunities could also contribute to curb the pressure on
land.

4.1.9. Major constraints to feed supply and season of feed shortage in the Highland
system

Based on the survey result, major problems contributed to feed shortage in the Highland study
areas are indicated in Table 15. In Debre Birhan, 60 and 40 % of the dairy farmers described
that grazing lands are converted into croplands and expensive market price of concentrate
feeds, respectively, as the main problems of feed supply. Fifteen percent of the respondents at
Debre Birhan reported that crop harvest was failed due to bad weather such as frost and ice.
As a result, it is expected that the crop residues to be employed for livestock declined. Seventy
five percent of both farms with small and medium herd size at Jimma and Sebeta had feed
problems in relation with the current escalating cost of feeds. More over 80 and 55% of the
dairy farmers at Jimma and Sebeta, respectively, indicated that commercial feeds are not
available sufficiently in the market. In addition, 70% of the dairy farmers in Jimma and 85%
in Sebeta did not have any land to grow forages.

49
Table 15 Causes of insufficient feed availability for farmers with medium and small herd sizes in the Highland study sites

Debre Birhan Jimma Sebeta Overall

Major reasons
total
MH SM Total MH SM Total MH SM Total
n=10 n=10 n=20 n=10 n=10 n=20 n=10 n=10 n=20 n=60
Encroachment of crop agriculture 50% 70% 60% - - - - - 20%
Lack of capital (expensive market 40% 40% 40% 80% 70% 75% 70% 80% 75% 63%
cost of feeds)
No sufficient quantity of commercial - - - 80% 80% 80% 30% 80% 55% 45%
feed in nearby markets
Over grazing - 10% 5% - - - - 2%
No land to grow feed - - - 80% 60% 70% 90% 80% 85% 52%
Damage of crops by bad weather 20% 10% 15% - - - - - 5%
MH= Medium herd size, SH= Small herd size, n= Number of respondents

50
Season of feed shortage for the Highland peri-urban study sites is shown in Table 16. In Debre
Birhan and Jimma, 65% and 80% of the respondents encountered feed shortage in wet and dry
seasons, respectively. Among the farmers with small herd sizes, 90% in Debre Birhan and
40% in Sebeta did not have enough feed in wet seasons. All farmers with medium herd sizes
in Jimma while 60% of them in both Debre Birhan and Sebeta encountered feed shortage in
the dry season. In general, feed shortage is more severe in all study areas in dry season than
wet season.

Table 16 Feed shortage seasons drawn from the interviewed respondents (%) in the Highland
production system

Study sites Herd size category Seasons of feed shortage

Dry Wet( July to Both wet All year
(January August) and dry round
to May)
Debre Birhan Small (n=10) 10% 90% - -
Medium (n=10) 60% 40% - -
Subtotal (n=20) 35% 65% - -
Jimma Small (n=10) 60% 10% 20% 10%
Medium (n=10) 100% - - -
Subtotal (n=20) 80% 5% 10% 5%
Sebeta Small (n=10) 60% 40% - -
Medium (n=10) 60% 30% 10% -
Subtotal (n=20) 60% 35% 5%
Total (n=60) 58% 35% 5% 2%

n= number of respondents

51
4.1.10. Consequence of feed shortage on the performance of livestock

Consequences of feed shortage on livestock production and productivity based on the

respondents response is presented in Table 17. The consequences of feed shortage for
livestock in all study areas include weight loss, lower milk yield, mortality and absence of
heat. About 92% of the respondents around Ziway indicated weight loss and reduced milk
yield, while mortality due to feed shortage was reported by 43% of the respondents. In Debre
Birhan, Jimma and Sebeta, farmers reported weight loss and low milk yield as the major
consequences of feed shortage. On the other hand, 20 and 30% of the dairy farmers in these
areas indicated absence of behavioral heat standings as the major consequence of feed
shortage. Ten and fifteen percent of the respondents in Jimma and Debre Birhan, respectively,
reported cattle mortality as a result of feed shortage.

Table 17 Consequence of feed shortage on livestock performance in the Highlands and Central
Rift Valley production system

Production Herd size category Weight Low milk Mortality No signs

system loss yield of estrus

Highland
DB Small (n=10) 8(80%) 8(80%) 3(30%) -
Medium (n=10) 7(70%) 7(70%) - 1(10%)
Subtotal (n=20) 15(75%) 15(75%) 3(15%) 1(5%)
Jimma Small (n=10) 10(100%) 10(100%) 2(20%) 3(30%)
Medium (n=10) 9(90%) 9(90%) - 1(10%)
Subtotal (n=20) 19(95%) 19(95%) 1(10%) 4(20%)
Sebeta Small (n=10) 9(90%) 9(90%) - 3(30%)
Medium (n=10) 9(90%) 9(90%) 1(10%) 3(30%)
Subtotal (n=20) 18(90%) 18(90%) 1(5%) 6(30%)
Total (n=60) 52(87%) 52(87%) 5(8%) 11(18%)
CRV
Ziway 55(92%) 55(92%) 26(43%) 8(13%)
DB=Debre Birhan, CRV=Central Rift Valley, numbers in the bracket indicate proportion of respondents, n= total
number of respondents

52
4.1.11. Ways of feed shortage alleviation

During critical feed shortage seasons, livestock owners in all study areas use different
strategies to alleviate the problem. Accordingly, during the dry periods, 85% of the farmers
around Ziway use farm produced crop residues to feed animals while in the wet season (July
to August), 43% of them use rented grazing pasturelands in other areas (Table 18). In Jimma
and Sebeta almost all dairy farmers depend on purchased supplement feeds. In addition to
supplement feeds, dairy farmers in Debre Birhan and Sebeta relied on crop residues. Non-
conventional feeds such as Atela, pulse hulls and papaya stem were not available at large in all
study areas and their contribution to livestock feed as a cooping strategy was small.

53
 Table 18 Different coping mechanisms used to alleviate feed shortage in all study areas as per the interview

Production Herd size Interventions

system
Purchase Rented Purchase Using farm Destocking Using non-
supplement grazing lands crop residue produced crop conventional feeds
feeds residue (Atela, pulse hulls and
papaya stem)
Highland
DB Small (n=10) 6(60%) 5(50%) 1(10%) 7(70%) 2(20%) -
Medium (n=10) 7(70%) 7(70%) - 7(70%) 2(20%) -
Subtotal (n=20) 13(65%) 12(60%) 1(5%) 14(70%) 4(20%)
Jimma Small (n=10) 10(100%) - - - 1(10%) 1(10%)
Medium (n=10) 8(80%) - - - 1(10%) -
Subtotal (n=20) 18 (90%) - - - 1(5%) 1(5%)
Sebeta Small (n=10) 10(100%) - 8(80%) - - -
Medium (n=10) 9(90%) - 7(70%) - - -
Subtotal (n=20) 19(95%) 15(75%) - - -
Total (n=60) 50(83%) 12(20%) 16(27%) 14(23%) 5(8%) 2(3%)
CRV
Ziway (n=60) 2(3) 26(43%) - 51(85%) 4(7%) 2(3%)
DB=Debre Birhan, n= Total number of respondents, Numbers in the bracket indicate proportion of respondents.

54
4.2. Productive and Reproductive Performance of Cattle in the Highland and Central
Rift Valley Production System

4.2.1. Daily milk yield

The estimated mean daily milk yield based on the farmers response varied significantly
(P<0.001) among the Highland study sites (Table 19). In Sebeta, the estimated daily milk yield
(9.7±0.5 kg) was higher (P<0.001) than the rest of the study areas. The range of observed daily
milk yields (6.1 to 9.7 kg) in Highland study sites corresponds well with values reported
earlier (Demeke et al., 2000). The current report also agreed with what Mesfin et al. (2009)
reported for crossbred dairy cows in North Shoa and Mulugeta et al. (2009) in the Yerer
watershed, Oromia region. Yoseph et al. (2003b) reported for crossbred dairy cows an average
daily milk yield of (8.9 kg/day) at Sebeta and Kaliti, which is closer to the current finding.
However, Moges and Baars (1998) reported slightly higher average milk yields (9-12 kg/day)
at Alemaya University. The difference could be attributed to differences in management
conditions and the level of exotic gene inheritance in the crossbred animals.

Unlike the Highland system, the dominant cattle breed adapted in the Ziway area are
indigenous Arsi breed, which are characterized by low milk yield and small size. The overall
estimated daily milk yield from Arsi breed in the Ziway area was about (1.5±0.3 kg/day),
excluding the milk suckled by the calf (Table 20). Milk yield was significantly varied (P<0.05)
among peasant associations (PAs) in this area. The higher milk yield was observed at Belekle
Grisa followed by Negalign PA. The relatively higher milk yield observed in the two areas
could be associated to better feed supply since the two sites are closer to towns and irrigation
to purchase concentrate feed and grow fodder. The overall yield in Ziway area is a bit higher
than the value reported by Lemma et al. (2005) in same area. In the other areas of the country,
a mean daily milk yield of 1 kg/day (Kedija, 2007) and 1.2 kg/day (Mulugeta et al., 2009) was
reported for local cows. However, the observed value in the current study is lower than the
estimated daily milk yield in agro-pastoral areas of southern Ethiopia (Adugna and Aster,
2007). It might be related to feed shortage encountered due to prolonged drought during the

55
study period. Moreover, indigenous breeds of cattle are low yielders under poor management
conditions (Million and Tadelle, 2003).

There was marked difference in estimated daily milk yield between farms with small and
medium herd sizes in Sebeta area (P<0.05). The highest estimated daily milk yield observed
for farms with medium herd sizes in Sebeta area could possibly be the result of better access to
brewery by- products, agro-industrial by-products and hay. In addition, dairy farmers at Sebeta
have relatively better access to high graded cattle from Addis Ababa and commercially-
oriented large-scale dairy farms in the surroundings. The current finding is in close agreement
with the work of Yoseph et al. (2003b) who reported mean daily milk yield varied from 5.9 to
10 kg in urban and peri-urban dairy production systems in the Addis Ababa milk shed.

4.2.2. Lactation length

The overall estimated mean lactation length of cows in the Highland system was 296 days
(Table 19) and was not different (P>0.05) among sites. The estimated lactation length was
comparable to the ideal lactation length of 305 days as defined by Foley et al. (1972). The
effect of study site and herd size on lactation length was not significant (P>0.05). The overall
estimated mean lactation length was 296 days and varied from 273 to 327 days.

The overall estimated lactation length (321 days) around Ziway was slightly longer (Table 20),
but comparable with reported lactation lengths of 330 and 315 days for local breeds by Fekadu
(1994) and Lemma et al. (2005), respectively. Lactation length was not different (P>0.05)
among PAs. Farmers have the attitude that extended length of lactation favors growth of
calves despite low milk yields.

4.2.3. Age at first service and calving

The overall estimated mean age of heifers at first service was 27.5 months and age at first
calving was 36.8 months and differed (P<0.001) considerably among the Highland study
sites. Estimated mean ages of heifers at first service and calving were shortest at Sebeta (24.3
and 33.6 months) compared to other sites. The results are in accordance with the mean value
of 25.6 months reported for age at first service and 36.2 months reported for age at first
56
calving for dairy heifers under urban production systems (Emebet, 2006). Heifers maturing at
younger ages are better milk producers and have lower rearing costs (Ruiz-Sanchez et al.,
2007).

The overall estimated mean ages at first service and calving for heifers around Ziway (Table
20) were slightly higher than what has been reported for Borana breeds in Southern Ethiopia
(Adugna and Aster, 2007) but close to those reported for Horro cattle in West Wallaga
Ethiopia (Alganesh et al., 2004). The longer age at first service and calving in Ziway area
might reflect later maturity. Improved management levels such as good nutrition, housing and
health care enhances growth rate of heifers to come on first heat at early age.

Estimated mean ages at first mating and calving were significantly (P<0.05) longer for dairy
farms with small herd sizes in Debre Birhan. While estimated mean ages at first mating and
calving were shorter (23.5 and 32.9 months) for farms with medium herd sizes at Sebeta. The
age at first calving estimated from this area did not agree with the estimated mean of 30.1
months by Kelay (2002). The difference could be attributed to differences in level of
management between small and medium holders. Neither the age at first service nor the age at
first calving in the present work meet the optimum age at first service and calving i.e. 14.6
and 24 months for milk yield as reported by Nilforooshan and Edriss (2004).

4.2.4. Calving interval and days open

The overall estimated mean calving interval and days open in the Highland system were about
471.5 and 191.5 days, respectively (Table 19). There was no difference (P>0.05) in length of
calving interval and days open among the Highland study sites (Table 19). The length of days
open was a bit more than 6 months in all Highland study sites, which might affect the
profitability of dairy cows. De Vries (2006) concluded that a decrease in the days open from
166 to 112 days would significantly increase pregnancy rates, profit per cow and decrease
breeding and labor cost.

57
 Table 19 Least square means (LSM ±SE) milk production and reproductive performance of
crossbred dairy cows in the Highland production system by herd size.

Variables Study sites

Herd size
DB Jimma Sebeta Overall means
MY (kg/day) Smallholder 5.3±0.7 6.4±0.7b 8.7±0.7ya 6.8±0.5y
Medium holder 6.8±0.7 7.8±0.7b 10.7±0.7xa 8.4±0.5x
Mean 6.1±0.4 7.1±0.5b 9.7±0.5a 7.6±0.3
LL(days) Smallholder 291.0±21.2 288.5±21.2 300.0±21.2 293.2±11.4
Medium holder 327.0±21.2 273.0±21.2 294.0±21.2 298.0±13.0
Mean 309±18.2 280.8±14.7 297.0±10.6 295.6±8.7
AFS (months) Smallholder 35.1±2.3a 26.1±2.3b 25.0±2.3 28.7±1.6
Medium holder 29.9±2.3 25.3±2.3 23.5±2.3 26.3±1.3
Mean 32.5±1.7a 25.7±1.4b 24.3±1.7 27.5±1.0
a b
AFC (months) Smallholder 44.4±2.3 35.4±2.3 34.4±2.3 38.1±1.6
Medium holder 39.2±2.3 34.7±2.3 32.9±2.3 35.6±1.3
Mean 41.8±1.7a 35.0±1.5b 33.6±1.7 36.8±1.0
CI (days) Smallholder 435.0±49.2 498.0±49.2 498.0±49.2 477.0±32.3
Medium holder 519.0±49.2 429.0±49.2 450.0±49.2 466.0±23.2
Mean 477.0±32.5 463.5±39.6 474.0±31.5 471.5±20.1
DO (days) Smallholder 155.0±49.2 218.0±49.2 218.0±49.2 197.0±32.3
Medium holder 239.0±49.2 149.0±49.2 170.0±49.2 186.0±23.2
Mean 197.0±32.5 183.5±39.6 194.0±31.5 191.5±20.1
a-b
means with different superscript in the same row for the same trait do significantly differ (P<0.05); x-y means
with different superscript in the same column for the same trait do significantly differ (P<0.05). MY= Milk
Yield, LL= Lactation Length, AFS= Age at First Service, AFC=Age at First Calving, CI=Calving Interval,
DB=Debre Birhan, DO=Days Open.

58
Table 20 Least squares means (LSM ±SE) productive and reproductive performance of cows around Ziway area as per the interviews

PAs Milk yield(kg/day) LL (days) AFS (months ) AFC (months) CI (days) DO (days)

Abine Germame 1.1±0.3c 280.0±33.9 49.5±5.2 58.1±5.2 630.0±87.3 350.0±87.3

a
Bekele Grisa 3.2±0.3 335.0±33.9 46.6±5.7 56.0±5.7 586.7±87.3 306.7±87.3
Elka Chelemo 1.6±0.3bc 300.0±29.3 53.0±4.5 62.4±4.5 585.0±75.6 305.0±75.7
Gallo Rapee 0.9±0.3c 315.0±29.3 51.5±4.5 60.8±4.5 697.5±75.6 417.5±75.7
Gebiba Rasa 1.2±0.3c 322.5±29.3 59.1±4.5 68.4±4.5 776.3±75.6 496.3±75.6
Grabakorki Adi 0.9±0.3c 320.0±33.9 53.5±5.2 62.9±5.2 690.0±87.3 410.0±87.3
b
Negalign 2.3±0.3 400.0±33.9 42.4±5.2 51.7±5.2 735.0±87.3 455.0±87.3
bc
Wellinbula 1.5±0.3 350.0±33.9 50.5±5.2 59.8±5.2 690.0±87.3 410.0±87.3
Woldiya Mekidela 1.0±0.3c 270.0±33.9 49.5±5.2 58.8±5.2 540.0±87.3 260.0±87.3
Overall mean 1.5±0.3 320.5±32.3 51.1±5.0 60.4±5.0 661.7±83.4 381.7±83.4
a-c
means in the same column followed by the same letter of superscript for a trait are not significantly different (P>0.05), PAs = Peasant Associations, LL=
Lactation Length, AFS= Age at First Service, AFC=Age at First Calving, CI=Calving Interval, DO=Days Open.

59
4.2. 5. Mating systems

Commonly used mating systems in the study areas are indicated in Table 21. About 52 and
97% of the respondents in the Highland and Central Rift Valley production systems,
respectively, use natural service. Artificial insemination (AI) service was almost absent in the
CRV while 23% of the farmers in the Highland system combine AI and natural service.
However, about 25% of the farmers in the Highland production system use a combination of
AI and natural mating. More than half of the respondents at Sebeta had access to AI service
while 75% of the respondents at Debre Birhan and Jimma use natural service. Because of
technical and non-technical problems, AI has not yet been introduced at a large scale in areas
which are located further away from Addis Ababa. Dairy farmers at Jimma explained that AI
service has almost totally collapsed in the area since 2003 following the decentralization
policy of the government. As a result, AI technicians face lack of funds to bring frozen liquid
nitrogen from the central processing plants in the country. In addition, some farmers pointed
out that a cow that was inseminated with AI could come in to heat repeatedly, which might be
associated with time of insemination, use of proper insemination technique, semen quality and
technical efficiency of AI technicians. Recently, the Oromia National Regional State
government has understood the problem and established an independent livestock
development agency with its own logistics and human resources.

Farmers in Debre Birhan area use crossbred bulls of any blood level. The number of farmers
receiving bull service from Debre Birhan Research Center was very small. AI service has not
been widespread in the area mainly because of a range of structural, service and transport
problems. The present work agrees with a report of Tadesse (2005), Gibson et al. (2006) and
Emiru (2007). It was observed that indiscriminate breeding practice is common in the area,
which leads to inbreeding and genetic erosion. Around Ziway area, livestock owners living far
away from Ziway town did not get AI service and cross breeding activity is almost non-
existent. The relatively hot climate, critical feed shortage during dry season, animal health
problem, week extension service and the nature of the production system by itself might
explain the reason why crossbred animals are not predominant in the area.

60
Desalegn (2008) showed that the proportion of AI users was higher around Addis than in
regional sites. Major constraints associated with AI in Ethiopia include loose structural linkage
between AI Center and service giving units, absence of collaboration and regular
communication between National Artificial Insemination Center (NAIC) and stakeholders,
lack of breeding policy and herd recording system, inadequate resources in terms of inputs and
facilities, and absence of incentives and rewards to motivate AI technicians (Desalegn, 2008).

Table 21 Mating systems used in the Highland and Central Rift Valley production systems

Production system Mating system

AI NS Both AI and NS

Highland
Debre Birhan (n=20) 2 (10.0%) 15 (75.0%) 3 (15.0%)
Jimma (n=20) 1 (5.0%) 15 (75.0%) 4 (20.0%)
Sebeta (n=20) 11 (55.0%) 1 (5.0%) 8 (40.0%)
Total ( n=60) 14 (23.3%) 31 (51.7%) 15 (25.0%)

CRV
Ziway (n=60) 0.0 58 (96.7%) 2 (3.3%)
n =number of respondents, AI = Artificial Insemination, NS= Natural Service, numbers in the bracket indicate
proportion of respondents.

4.3. Feed Resource Availability in Highland and Central Rift Valley Production System

4.3.1. Composition of natural pasturelands around Ziway

An area closure was used as a benchmark to assess the potential biomass yield and dry matter
production of grasses and herbaceous species around Ziway area. Grasses species represented
86% of the DM biomass production while forage legumes only 2% (Table 22). The higher
share of grasses species agrees with Sisay (2006) and Teshome (2007). The lower proportion
of legumes observed might probably be due to climbing or sprawling growth habit, which
makes them more susceptible to loss through grazing in the lower altitudes. The proportion of

61
legumes tends to increase with increasing altitude and particularly above 2,200 meters and at
lower altitudes native legumes are less abundant (Alemayehu, 1985; Alemu, 1990).

Table 22 Proportion of grasses, forage legumes and forbs on DM basis from area closure
around Ziway

Sample type Proportion (%)

Grasses 86.1
Forage legumes 2.2
Other forbs 11.7
Total 100.0

4.3.2. Productivity of natural pastureland around Ziway

Biomass yield of grasses, forage legumes and forbs was 3597 kg ha-1, 67.4 kg ha-1 and 298.5
kg ha-1, respectively (Table 23). Dry matter yield obtained from legumes was lowest (12.7 kg
ha-1) while it was higher for grasses (1172.5 kg ha-1). The lower yield of legumes could also be
related with low proportion of legumes in the natural pasture of lowlands. This is in line with
the report of Amsalu (2000) who demonstrated low dry matter yield of legumes (0-16 kg ha-1)
in the mid Rift Valley. The average dry matter yield of grasses in the current study agrees with
the work of Amsalu (2000) who reported 1470 kg ha-1 for grass in the Central Rift Valley. The
average dry matter yield estimated per tree and shrub was 32.6 and 0.3kg, respectively.

62
Table 23 Mean (±SE) biomass yield and DM production of grasses and herbaceous vegetation
from an enclosure in Ziway

Sample type Biomass yield (kg ha-1) DM yield ( kg ha-1)

Grasses 3597.0±402.4 1172.5±131.2
Forage legumes 67.4±32.5 12.7±6.1
Other forbs 298.5±93.2 48.1±15.0
Fodder trees - 32.6 (kg tree-1)
Shrubs - 0.3 (kg shrub-1)

As indicated in Table 24, the most valued grass species identified by herders were Cenchrus
ciliaris, Cynodon dactylon and Chloris gayana. Herders perceived that animals, which graze
these grass species, do have better body condition, give better milk and butter production. The
availability of grasses like Harpachne schimperi and Sporobouls pyramidalis species is
reported to be a characteristics for degraded areas, which were faced heavy grazing pressure.

Table 24 Dominant grass species identified in an enclosure around Ziway

Grass species Category

Andropogon chrysostachys Invader
Brachiaria dictyonuera Increaser
Cenchrus ciliaris Decreaser
Chloris gayana Decreaser
Cynodon dactylon Decreaser
Dactyloctenium aegyptium Increaser
Eragrostis teniufolia Increaser
Harpachne schimperi Invader
Heteropogon contortus Invader
Hyparrhenia rufa Increaser
Pennisetum stramineum Increaser
Sporobouls pyramidalis Invader

63
Almost all browse trees were predominantly acacia species with few other fodder trees such as
Balanites aegyptica, Ziziphus mauritiana, Acanthus aroreus (Table 25). Among the acacia
species Acacia albida and Acacia brevispica were preferred in the dry season by herders as
feed for goats and sometimes for cattle. Except acacia species, other indigenous browse trees
have currently almost depleted from herders’ land due deforestation. It was observed that in an
enclosure some of the browse trees, except acacia species, are loped away by herders to feed
draught oxen and milking cows in the dry periods.

Table 25 Browse trees identified in the Central Rift Valley (Ziway)

Vernacular name (Afan Oromo) Scientific name

Dodeti Acacia abyssinica
Ajoo Acacia albida
Kertefa Acacia brevispica
Wachu Acacia seyal
Geto Acacia bussei
Lafto Acacia dolichocephala
Amalakaa Celtis africana
Koshoshila Acanthus aroreus
Kurkura Ziziphus mauritiana
Bedena Balanites aegyptica
Kelkelcha Clutia abyssinica
Tatesa Rhus glutinosa

4.3.3. Seasonal availability of feed resources in Highland and Central Rift Valley

In the Highland production system purchased hay, concentrates and crop residues were major
feed resources while natural pasture and crop residues were in the Central Rift Valley system.
Commonly available feed resources across the different periods of a year for the Highland and
Central Rift Valley system are indicated in Figure 5. In Debre Birhan area, crop residues and
hay were among the most common feeds used by both farms with medium and small herd
64
sizes in the dry season, whereas grazing pasture and crop stubbles grazing were dominant in
the wet season. Concentrates such as noug cake and wheat bran were sometimes provided to
supplement the basal diet. Crop residues were also used as feed during the heavy rainy months
(July to August). In Jimma and Sebeta, animals were confined in a house, as a result, hay and
concentrates were the common feed resources for both medium and smallholder dairy farmers
during the entire year. Green grasses were used rarely in these areas during wet and dry
seasons. Purchased crop residues were also used as additional feeds for animals in the dry
season at Sebeta.

In the Ziway area, natural pastures are the main feed resources from July to September.
Stubbles of haricot bean, wheat, tef, barley and maize lands are also the major feed resources
following the cessation of the main rain season (October to December). Weeds and maize
thinning also contributed though not much less. In the dry period, (in most cases from January
to June), crop residues like maize stover, wheat straw, tef straw, haricot bean straw and barley
straw were the major feed resources. The wetlands around Lake Ziway were equally important
with that of crop residues in this period when water level draws back.

In wet season (July to the beginning of September), 30% (n=18) of the respondents around
Ziway move with their cattle to Habernosa area, where green grazing pasture is available as
most farm land is used for crop production. Some farmers rented grazing pasturelands and
move their cattle, together with some of the family members, to distant areas of up to one or
two days journey. The practice of moving cattle together with some family members for
grazing pastureland and is traditionally called as ‘Godantu’. Animals and some family
members stay in the Godantu area from June to September. In the dry season i.e. from January
to May, about 6% of the respondents around Ziway sent their cattle to relatives far away from
their residence. This is because some family relatives in other areas might have relatively
larger grazing pastureland and allow it to be used by their relatives free of charge. Seventy
percent (n=42) of the respondents do not move their cattle to other areas and they use their
own grazing lands, borderlands in between adjacent crop fields, green maize stock and weeds
for feeding.

65
 Feed sources Month
S O N D Ja F Ma A M J Ju Au

Highland
Debre Birhan
Natural pastures * * * * *
Crop stubbles * * * *
Crop residues * * * * * * * *
Weeds from crops * *
Hay and concentrate * * * * * * * *
Jimma
Hay and concentrates * * * * * * * * * * * *
Green grass * * * *
Sebeta
Hay and concentrates * * * * * * * * * * * *
Crop residues * * * * * * *
Green grass * *

CRV
Ziway
Natural pastures * * *
Crop stubbles * * *
Crop residues * * * *
Weeds and maize * * *
thinning
Wetlands around Lake * * * *
Ziway
*the feed resource mentioned is available in the specified month/months. S= September, O= October, N=
November, D= December, Ja= January, F= February, Ma= March, A= April, M= May, J= June, Ju= July, Au=
August

Figure 5 Feed resources availability across the different months of the year

66
4.3.4. Crop residue preference

Crop production and crop residue are only common in Debre Birhan from the Highland
system and Ziway in the CRV system. Around Ziway, barley straw was the most preferred
feed by farmers followed by maize stover (Table 26). The least preference index value was for
wheat straw. Farmers in this area perceived that wheat straw might cause diarrhea and
emaciation in cattle. In Debre Birhan, barley was ranked first followed by faba bean straw.
This is because, the area is suitable for growing barley and the soft structure of its straw
facilitates palatability. Just as in Ziway area, wheat straw was less preferred by farmers in
Debre Birhan for the same reasons.

Table 26 Preference indices of farmers at Debre Birhan and around Ziway for crop residues

Crop residue type Rank Index

st nd
1 2 3rd 4 th
5 th

Ziway (n=60)
Barley straw 35 14 8 2 1 0.28
Maize stover 18 16 17 9 - 0.24
Tef straw 3 12 19 15 11 0.18
Haricoat bean straw 1 18 9 20 12 0.17
Wheat straw 4 3 8 17 28 0.13
Debre Birhan (n=20)
Barley straw 20 - - - - 0.80
Broad bean straw - 18 2 - - 0.58
Field pea straw - 17 3 - - 0.57
Oats straw - 3 16 1 - 0.42
Wheat straw - - 1 19 - 0.21
n=number of respondents, Index for Ziway: sum of single crop residue preference ranked i.e. (5*1st ranked crop
residue preference) + (4*2nd ranked crop residue preference) + (3*3rd ranked crop residue preference) + (2*4 th
ranked crop residue preference) + (1*5th ranked crop residue preference)/sum of all weighted crop residue
preference described by the respondents. Similarly Index for Debre Birhan: sum of single crop residue preference
ranked i.e. (4*1st ranked crop residue preference) + (3*2 nd ranked crop residue preference) + (2*3 rd ranked crop
residue preference) + (1*4th ranked crop residue preference)/sum of all weighted crop residue preference.

67
4.3. 5. Crop residue storage and utilization

Collection of crop residues follows harvesting of the grain. Crop residue storage time and
form of utilization is shown in Table 27. In the highland production system, about 88% of the
respondents provide crop residue soon after collection. This is probably related with few
available grazing lands and the amount of hay stored may not be adequately sufficient for the
animals. In the CRV about 85% of the respondents stored crop residues for more than two
months before feeding to cattle. Seventy percent of the respondents mix crop residues with
other feeds in the Highlands. In Debre Birhan and around Ziway, crop residues are piled in a
conical shape pattern to protect them from rain and stored without shade. On the other hand,
purchased crop residues at Sebeta were stored in loose or baled form under shade. About 75%
of the interviewed dairy farmers at Debre Birhan and all interviewed dairy farmers in Sebeta
provided crop residues to cattle soon after collection. Longer storage time of crop residues
before feeding around Ziway might be related with shortage of additional feed reserves such
as hay for draught oxen during plowing periods (April to June). Around Ziway, 88% of the
interviewed respondents offered whole straw to animals without any chemical or physical
treatment. Besides, about 52% of the respondents in the same provided threshed maize stock
(which was threshed by cattle after the grain was collected) and 32% of the respondents used
chopped air-dried maize stover to feed animals. About 75 and 65% of the dairy farmers in
Debre Birhan and Sebeta, respectively, offered whole straw mixed with other feeds like water,
salt and atela.

68
Table 27 Length of storage period of crop residues before feeding to the animal and form of feeding in Highland and Central Rift
Valley

Production Storage time after collection Form of feeding

system Soon One Two Over WS WMS CMS TMS TS MF
month months two
months

Highland
DB (n=20) 15(75%) 1(5%) - 4(20%) 16(80%) - - - 4 (20%) 15(75%)
Sebeta (n=20) 20(100%) - - - 6(30%) - - - - 13(65%)
Total (n=40) 35(88%) 1(2%) - 4(10%) 22(55%) - - - 4(10%) 28(70%)

CRV
Ziway (n=60) 1(2%) - 8(13%) 51(85%) 53(88%) 10(17%) 19(32%) 31(52%) - 2(3%)
DB= Debre Birhan, WS=whole straw alone, WMS=whole maize stock without chopping or threshing, CMS= chopped air-dry maize stover, AMT= air- dry
maize stover threshed by cattle TS= treated straw, MF= mixed with other feeds, N=number of respondents, Numbers in brackets indicate proportion of
respondents.

69
4.3.6. Hay

Natural grass hay is the major feed resource for animals in the peri-urban areas. In Debre
Birhan, hay was piled and stored without shade. In Jimma, hay was stored in a loose form
under shade while in Sebeta it was baled and stored under shade. As shown in Table 28, 40%
of the dairy farmers at Debre Birhan collected hay from their own pasturelands and another
40% were from rented pasturelands. However, 90 % of the dairy farmers in both Jimma and
Sebeta did not grow hay but collect it from market.

Table 28 Sources of hay in the Highland study sites

Study sites Sources

Produced at own farm Purchased Grown on rented land
(% of respondents) (% of respondents) (% of respondents)
Debre Birhan (n=20) 40 20 40
Jimma (n=20) - 90 10
Sebeta (n=20) - 90 10
n= Number of respondents

4.3.7. Improved forage resources

The use of improved forages as animal feed was not well adopted by farmers in all the study
areas (Table 29). In the Highland production system only 13% of the respondents grow
improved forages where as the proportion for CRV was very few. About 35 % of the dairy
farmers in Debre Birhan reported that they use improved forages, such as oats and vetch as
animal feed. In Jimma and Sebeta, improved forages were rarely available. Only few farmers
in Sebeta, who grow Napier grass at the backyard, used it as animal feed. Most farmers did not
establish and utilize improved forages as animal feed.

70
Table 29 Proportion of respondents using improved forages in the Highlands and Central Rift
Valley production system.

Production system Herd size category Do you use improved forages?

Highland Yes No
Debre Birhan Small (n=10) 40% 60%
Medium (n=10 30% 70%
Subtotal (n=20) 35% 65%
Jimma Small (n=10) - 100%
Medium (n=10) - 100%
Subtotal (n=20) - 100%
Sebeta Small (n=10) - 100%
Medium (n=10) 10% 90%
Subtotal (n=20) 5% 95%
Total (n=60) 13% 87%
CRV
Ziway (n=60) 5% 95%
n=number of respondents

71
The major reasons hindering development of improved forages are indicated in Table 30.
Seventy two percent of the respondents in the Highland production system reported lack of
land to grow improved forage as a major problem. On the other hand, in the Central Rift
Valley about 78% of the respondents did not have awareness on how to establish and grow
improved forages. This indicates that the extension service rendered in this area is somewhat
weak.

Table 30 Major reasons hindering the development of improved forages in the Highland and
Central Rift Valley production system.

Production Herd size Constraints identified

system
Highland Lack of Lack of No forage Lack of
land capital(to buy seed supply awareness
seed)
DB SH (n=10) 2(20%) - 1(10%) 2(20%)
MH(n=10) 4(40%) - 4(40%) 3(30%)
Subtotal (n=20) 6(30%) - 5(25%) 5(25%)
Jimma SH (n=10) 10(100%) 2(20%) 6(60%) 2(20%)
MH(n=10) 10(100%) - 4(40%) 1(10%)
Subtotal (n=20) 20(100%) 2(10%) 10(50%) 3(15%)
Sebeta SH (n=10) 10(100%) - - 9(90%)
MH(n=10) 7(70%) - 1(10%) 4(40%)
Subtotal (n=20) 17(85%) - 1(5%) 13(65%)
Total (n=60) 43(72%) 4(7%) 16(27%) 21(35%)
CRV
Ziway n=60 10(17%) - 11(18%) 47(78%)
DB= Debre Birhan, n=number of respondents, numbers in the bracket indicate proportion of respondents,
SH=small herd size, MH= medium herd size.

72
4.3.8. Use of irrigation

Since there is no farmland available at Sebeta and Jimma, irrigation was not common. Around
Ziway area, the main source of water for irrigation was lake water and at Debre Birhan the
main sources were rivers and springs. In the Ziway area, 17% of the farmers produced
vegetables with irrigation while about 7% of the farmers produced both food crops and animal
feeds (Table 31). In Debre Birhan, about 5% the dairy farmers have irrigation access to
produce food crops and animal feed. In general, it was observed that most farmers who have
direct access to water sources use irrigation for farming activities.

Table 31 Purpose of irrigation in the Highland and Central Rift Valley as per the interview

Production Herd size Purpose of irrigation

system
Food Both food Vegetable Vegetable
crops crops and and food
feed crops
Highland
Debre Birhan Small (n=10) - - 2(20%) -
Medium (n=10) - 1(10%) 1(10%) 1(10%)

Total (n=20) - 1(5%) 3(15%) 1(5%)

CRV
Ziway (n=60) 1(2%) 4(7%) 10(17%0 4(7%)
Numbers in the bracket indicate proportion of respondents, n= Total number of respondents

73
4.3.9. Feeding system

The Highland production system is dominated by intensive and specialized dairy farmers
where most of the time depend on purchased feeds. In the Central Rift Valley production
system, livestock production is extensive and largely depends on grazing lands and crop
residues. In Jimma and Sebeta, there was no grazing land available and cattle do not have
access to grazing. As a consequence cattle are kept indoor and fed individually or in a group.
Feed types commonly used in these areas include grass hay, agro-industrial by products (noug
seedcake and wheat bran), freshly cut green feeds, crop residues, brewery wet grains and local
brewery by-products like Atela. The daily feed supply to animals was not measured by any of
the dairy farmers rather feed was provided roughly based on the availability of feed and daily
milk yield.

Around Ziway and Debre Birhan, cattle owners let their cattle to graze in own and rented
pasturelands. Grazing on natural pastureland was predominant in both areas (Figure 6). In
general animals graze between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM when they go back home, but there
were significant differences (P<0.05) between the length of grazing hours in both sites (Table
32). The estimated average grazing hours in Debre Birhan and around Ziway were 6.8±0.5 and
10.0±0.1 hours per day, respectively. The maximum grazing hour corresponds with the work
of McDonald et al. (1995) who described that animals normally graze about eight hours per
day, but some times as much as10 hours per day. In the peri-urban system of Debre Birhan
herders brought their cattle back to home around lunchtime and would stay until 4:00 PM,
which contributed to the shorter grazing period, compared to Ziway farmers. The purpose of
bringing cattle back to home in the daytime was to provide additional feeds like hay and
concentrates and protects their crossbred cattle from intense solar radiation because shade
trees are not available in the area.

74
Table 32 Length of grazing hours (mean ±SE) in the Highland and Central Rift Valley

Production system Grazing length (hour)

Highland
Debre Birhan 6.8±0.5
CRV
Ziway 10.0±0.1

The word tethering is used to indicate animals that are tethered at the plot border and around the home compound
and also fed with cut and carry, crop residues etc.

Figure 6 Feeding systems employed by livestock owners at Debre Birhan and Ziway

75
4.3.10. Chemical composition and nutritive value of feeds

Chemical composition and nutritive value of the major feedstuffs in the study areas is shown
in Table 33. The dry matter (DM) content of all crop residues was above 90%, which
corresponds with Ahmed (2006), Sisay (2006) and Solomon et al. (2008b). The crude protein
(CP) content of crop residues varied from 3.05% in oats straw to 6.74% in field pea straw.
Lower CP value for oats reported in this study agrees with the report of Ahmed
(2006). All crop residues evaluated had lower CP contents than the minimum level of 7% CP
required for optimum rumen microbial function (Van Soest, 1982; Milford and Minson,
1966). The results of the current work agree with the report of Seyoum and Fekede
(2008) that cereal crop residues are normally characterized by low digestibility and energy
value, which are both inherent in their chemical composition. The mean in vitro digestible
organic matter in the dry matter (IVDOMD) for cereal crop residues was about 47%, which is
lower than the minimum level required for quality roughages (Daniel, 1988; Seyoum and
Fekede, 2008). Stubbles of barley, wheat, tef, faba bean, field pea, haricot bean and oats had
lower CP content than that of their corresponding straw. This could be associated with lower
leaf to stem ratio of stubble crops (Ramazin et al., 1986; Ørskov, 1988; Solomon et al.,
2008b). The lower content of CP for both crop residues and stubbles grazing may be
compensated with strategic supplementation of proteinaceous feeds to improve livestock
performance.

The energy content of crop residues ranged from 6.48 MJ/kg DM (wheat) to 7.89 MJ/kg DM
(barley) straw. The energy contents for crop residues in this study were within the range
reported by Seyoum and Fekede (2008), but higher than the value of 7.0 MJ/kg DM reported
by Daniel (1988). Differences might be due to differences in management practices, soil
fertility and/or crop variety used (McDowell, 1988).

The neutral detergent fiber( NDF) content of all crop residues was above 65%. Stubbles of
major crops had slightly higher NDF contents than their straw. Sisay (2006) reported higher (>
70%) NDF contents for cereal crop residues and their stubbles. Roughage feeds with NDF
content of less than 45% are categorized as high quality, 45-65% as medium quality and those

76
with more than 65% as low quality roughages (Sigh and Oosting, 1992). All crop residues and
stubbles in this study might be categorized as low quality roughages that may inflict
limitations on animal performance.

Purchased hay and natural pasture had CP content of 6.13 and 7.20 % respectively. The
current values are slightly closer to the minimum value reported by Van Soest (1982). Hay and
native grass mixture had also high NDF content. NDF content of hay and native grass mixture
reported in this study was closer to the values reported by Ahmed (2006) and Solomon (2004).
The higher NDF content could be a limiting factor on feed intake, since voluntary feed intake
and NDF content are negatively correlated (Ensminger et al., 1990). Similar to crop residues,
both native grass and hay could be classified as low roughages, which could impose
limitations on feed intake and animal production.

The ADF content of crop residues was varied from 48.2% in tef straw to 61.9% in haricot bean
straw (Table 33). For crop stubbles, the range was from 58.7 to 71.5% ADF for field pea and
oats, respectively. The ADF content for both crop residues and stubbles was within the range
reported by Ahmed (2006) and Solomon et al. (2008b). However, Yitay (1999) reported a
lower ADF values for barley and wheat straw, which could be attributed to differences in
climate, crop management and soil fertility. Generally, Kellems and Church (1998)
categorized roughages with less than 40% ADF as high quality and above 40% as low quality.
All crop residues and stubbles could be categorized as low quality roughages. The ADF
content for hay and native grass mixture was comparable to that of Zinash and Seyoum
(1989), Yihalem (2004) and Ahmed (2006).

The lignin content was high for both crop residues and stubbles (Table 33), which limits DM
intake. Lignin is completely indigestible and forms lignin-cellulose/hemicelluloses complexes
(Kellems and Church, 1998) due to physical encrustation of the plant fiber and making it
unavailable to microbial enzymes (McDonald et al., 1995). The lignin content for native grass
mixtures and natural pasture hay was 8.3 and 10.6%, respectively. These values were higher
than the maximum level of 7% that limits DM intake and livestock production (Reed et al.,
1986).

77
Fodder trees had crud protein (CP) content ranging from 3.4 % in Papaya stem to 24.5% in
Rhus glutinosa leaves (Table 33). Except papaya stem, the CP content for the other fodder
trees leaves was in agreement with the report of Teferi (2006). The high CP content of browse
species might allow chance to protein supplements for feeds of poor quality roughages and
forages. The lowest NDF content was observed for Clutia abyssinica (19.6%) while the
highest was for papaya stem (56.1%). Similarly, the ADF content was varied from 9.2% in
Clutia abyssinica to 49.8% in papaya stem. High ADF content in fodder trees might be
associated with lower digestibility since digestibility of feed and its ADF are negatively
correlated (McDonald et al., 2002). Lignin content varied from 5.8% in Balanites aegyptica to
14.8% in papaya stem. The range of lignin contents for fodder tees in the present study is
lower than those of Yitay (1999) which may be related to seasonal variation and its effect on
cell wall lignifications (Larbi et al., 1998). Metabolizable energy content was high for Clutia
abyssinica (10.2 MJ/kg DM) followed by Balanites aegyptica (9.9 MJ/kg DM)). The higher
ME content could be associated with relatively lower proportion of fiber components.

Metabolizable energy (ME) of commonly used energy supplements such as wheat bran,
molasses and Atela varied from 12.5 to 13.2 MJ/kg DM (Table 33). Molasses had the lowest
CP content as compared with wheat bran and Atela. The cell wall contents of molasses was
almost negligible whereas wheat bran had relatively higher fiber contents. The nutritional
values for the current feeds are compatible with that of Seyoum and Fekede (2008). Seyoum et
al. (2007) defined a standard for energy supplements as those feeds which contain high CP
(13.9%), IVDOMD (82.2%) and ME (13.1 MJ/kg DM). With the exception of CP content of
molasses, energy supplements (wheat bran, Atela) evaluated in the present work closely
matched to this standard.

Among the protein supplements, brewery wet grains had slightly lower CP (26.8%) than
cotton seed cake (42.0 %) and nouge seedcake (34.5%). This might be due to difference in the
chemical composition and type of grains used as a raw material to produce these by-products
(Yoseph et al., 2003c). The ME contents of protein supplements were not much different. The
energy content, protein content and IVDOMD in protein supplements were high though

78
slightly lower than the reported thresholds (Seyoum et al., 2007) for good quality protein
supplements of (CP= 32.6%), (IVDOMD =65.5%) and (ME =10.2 MJ/kg DM).

Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorous (P) concentrations of the major feedstuffs in the study areas
except for some fodder trees and barley straw were low as compared to the recommendations:
<2.0 g/kg DM low, 2.0-3.5 g/kg DM normal and >4.0 g/kg DM high for both Ca and P
(McDonald et al., 1995; Kellems and Church, 1998).

79
 Table 33 Chemical composition and nutritive value of major feedstuffs in the study areas

Feedstuff DM Chemical composition (% DM) Nutritive values

(%)
Ash OM NDF ADF Lignin CP DCP IVDOMD ME Ca P
(g/kg DM) % (MJ/kg DM) (g/kg) (g/kg)
Roughage
Crop residue
Wheat straw 93.41 9.47 90.53 80.31 56.30 13.10 3.14 25.69 43.18 6.48 0.2 0.9
Barley straw 91.62 8.53 91.47 76.77 52.84 12.14 3.55 29.5 52.59 7.89 3.3 0.8
Oats straw 92.36 7.07 92.93 75.25 54.53 15.04 3.05 24.85 48.81 7.32 0.4 1.0
Faba bean straw 92.59 6.56 93.44 73.41 50.96 9.97 6.13 53.47 47.11 7.07 1.5 0.8
Field pea straw 91.76 6.46 93.54 72.73 52.25 11.12 6.74 59.13 48.39 7.26 1.4 1.0
Haricot bean 92.38 7.06 92.94 75.09 61.86 16.81 6.73 59.04 46.64 7.00 1.4 0.6
straw
Tef straw 93.07 9.08 90.92 79.90 48.17 10.92 4.22 35.72 48.15 7.22 0.2 1.3
Maize stover 93.33 10.38 89.62 83.06 52.19 10.62 3.52 29.22 44.11 6.62 0.3 0.9
Grass
Purchased hay 92.43 13.73 86.27 76.04 49.24 10.61 6.13 53.47 48.68 7.30 0.4 1.3
Natural pasture 91.53 11.04 88.96 75.71 42.24 8.34 7.19 63.32 54.17 8.12 0.3 1.3
Non-conventional feeds
Coffee pulp 90.33 9.04 90.96 55.45 48.58 6.65 11.13 99.92 49.04 7.36 0.5 1.1
Bean hull 90.87 3.06 96.94 72.71 61.42 8.19 6.54 57.28 55.96 8.39 0.6 3.0
Pea hull 91.02 3.62 96.38 58.57 40.82 7.45 16.38 148.69 63.66 9.55 0.4 2.0
Atela 21.83 5.80 94.20 60.21 22.53 11.02 21.00 167.27 87.8 13.20 0.2 0.6
Agro-industrial by-
products
Brewery wet grain 22.20 4.74 95.26 78.58 29.94 10.72 26.82 245.68 60.31 9.05 0.3 1.7
Wheat bran 86.53 4.42 95.58 52.84 8.13 - 16.87 153.24 83.00 12.45 0.16 0.8
Cotton seedcake 92.31 7.61 92.39 47.21 20.75 6.33 42.00 386.70 60.22 9.03 0.2 1.1
Noug seedcake 93.41 10.94 89.06 33.10 27.23 7.10 34.50 317.03 68.15 10.22 1.1 0.2
Molasses 72.35 18.50 81.50 - - - 3.99 29.04 99.69 14.95 0.81 0.15
80
 Table 33 Continued

Feedstuff DM Chemical composition (% DM) Nutritive values

(%)
Ash OM NDF ADF Lignin CP DCP IVDOMD ME Ca P
(g/kg % (MJ/kg DM) (g/kg) (g/kg)
DM)
Browses
Papaya stem 90.42 25.28 74.72 56.06 49.80 14.82 3.39 28.01 47.72 7.16 1.3 4.0
Clutia abyssinica 90.44 18.03 81.97 19.60 9.22 8.00 19.75 180.00 68.23 10.23 4.24 1.1
Rhus glutinosa 90.21 7.69 92.31 43.47 19.00 6.21 24.45 223.66 49.32 7.40 0.5 3.0
Balanites aegyptica 90.75 14.42 85.58 36.50 25.35 5.80 9.73 86.91 65.82 9.87 0.2 1.2
Acacia spp. 92.95 8.04 91.96 38.92 23.92 11.53 20.87 190.40 58.62 8.79 1.8 0.18
Crop stubbles
Barley stubble 92.53 6.24 93.76 80.32 68.54 7.52 2.20 16.96 53.50 8.03 0.9 0.25
Wheat stubble 92.98 6.41 93.59 81.66 69.72 8.13 2.09 15.94 48.26 7.24 0.40 0.70
Tef stubble 93.30 9.87 90.13 76.94 65.36 6.85 1.79 13.15 49.84 7.48 0.62 0.12
Faba bean stubble 92.67 4.25 95.75 75.96 62.39 10.21 3.05 24.85 44.32 6.60 0.8 0.31
Field pea stubble 92.45 3.82 96.18 77.80 58.66 12.86 3.75 31.36 41.37 6.21 0.53 0.41
Haricot bean stubble 91.56 6.23 93.77 78.91 65.45 9.61 2.72 21.79 42.15 6.30 0.42 0.33
Oats stubble 93.15 7.32 92.68 79.82 71.53 7.68 1.95 14.64 50.20 7.53 0.31 0.21
Atela = a by-product of local beverages called ‘Tela’

81
4.3.11. Estimated annual feed availability

The total estimated feed dry matter (DM), digestible crude protein (DCP) and metabolisable
energy (ME) production per farm in the Highland and Central Rift Valley (CRV) production
system is shown in Table 34. The major feed resources in the Highland production system
include hay, agro-industrial by-products while natural pasture, crop residue and crop stubbles
in the CRV (Ziway). However from Highland production system farmers at Debre Birhan
heavily relay on crop residues compared to Jimma and Sebeta. The largest portion of dry
matter yield was obtained from crop residues in both Debre Birhan and Ziway areas. Among
crop residues, maize stover represented the largest share of dry matter production in Ziway
and barley straw in Debre Birhan. Most of the indigenous browse trees in Central Rift Valley
(Ziway) are longer in height and inaccessible to animals, as a result dry matter yield obtained
from them was not considered in the estimation. Total dry matter produced in Jimma and
Sebeta was the sum of grass hay, concentrate feeds and crop residues. Use of improved fodder
trees as animal feed in the peri-urban Highland study sites was rare and the dry matter
calculation did not account these feed resources. In the Highland system, the total amount of
feed dry matter estimated per annum per farm was 26.3, 27.6 and 25.2 t at Debre Birhan,
Jimma and Sebeta , respectively. In the same system the total estimated DCP was 1711, 2620
and 2799 kg while the total ME was 218162, 258524 and 214427 MJ per farm per annum in
Debre Birhan, Jimma and Sebeta, respectively. In the Central Rift Valley (Ziway) the total
DM, DCP and ME estimated per annum per farm were 21.3 t, 725 kg and 146393 MJ,
respectively.

The total estimated dry matter, DCP and DM supply for farms with small herd size were 57.5
t, 4700 kg, and 478726 MJ per year per farm, respectively (Table 35). Similarly, a total of 101
t DM, 9493 kg DCP and 885546 MJ ME per annum per farm were estimated for farms with
medium herd size. Medium herd size holders had higher estimated DM, CP and ME
production per annum than the corresponding small herd size holders with the exception of
medium herd size holders at Debre Birhan. The relatively low DM, CP and ME for medium
herd size holders at Debre Birhan might be related to small size of land for crop production
and grazing compared with the small herd size holders in the same area.
82
 Table 34 Estimated available dry matter productions, DCP and ME supply per annum per farm in the Highland and Central Rift
Valley

Feedstuffs Highland CRV

Debre Birhan Jimma Sebeta Ziway

DM DCP ME DM DCP ME (MJ) DM DCP ME (MJ) DM (t) DCP ME (MJ)

(t) (kg) (MJ) (t) (kg) (t) (kg) (kg)
Crop residue
Wheat straw 0.8 20.8 5237.9 - - - 4.6 119.1 30047.8 2.6 66.4 16750.6
Barley straw 7.3 215 57504.8 - - - - - - 0.6 17.7 4744.4
Tef straw - - - - - - - - 0.7 23.4 4719.2
Haricot bean straw - - - - - - - - - 1.0 57.4 6804.0
Field pea straw 0.3 18.7 2293.4 - - - - - - - - -
Faba bean straw 0.5 28.2 3722.4 - - - - - - - - -
Oats straw 0.7 18.4 5422.8 - - - - - - - - -
Maize stover - - - - - - - - - 12.2 355.8 80601.8
Crop stubbles 1.6 29.0 11960.0 - - - - - - 1.3 22.3 9387.8
Grass
Natural pasture 2.7 172.6 22127.0 - - - - - - 2.9 182.4 23385.6
Hay 8.2 435.5 59451.2 14.4 770.4 105178.4 10.2 542.4 74054.9 - - -
Agro industrial by-
products
Wheat bran 3.2 490.4 39840.0 8.7 1337.8 108688.5 4.2 643.6 52290.0 - - -
Noug seedcake 0.9 279.0 8993.6 - - - 1.0 317.7 10240.4 - - -
Cotton seedcake - - - - - 0.01 4.6 108.4 - - -
Molasses 0.1 3.7 1609.1 0.1 3.5 1520.4 0.3 9.1 3978.4 - - -
Brewery wet grain - - - - - - 4.7 1143.2 42109.7 - - -
Non-conventional
feeds
Atela - - - 0.8 134.3 10575.5 0.1 6.6 521.3 - - -
Pulse hulls - - - 3.6 373.9 32561.1 0.1 12.4 1076.4 - - -
Total 26.3 1711.3 218162 27.6 2620.0 258524.0 25.2 2798.7 214427 21.3 725.4 146393.4
Atela = a by-product of local beverages called ‘Tela’

83
 Table 35 Estimated annual DM (t) production, DCP (kg) and ME (MJ) supply in the Highland production system by herd size

Feedstuffs Small herd size Medium herd size

Debre Birhan Jimma Sebeta Debre Birhan Jimma Sebeta
DM DCP ME DM DCP ME DM DCP ME DM DCP ME DM DCP ME DM DCP ME
Crop residues
Wheat straw 1.6 41 10368 0.7 18 4536 8.6 220 55728
Barley straw 7.7 191 51048 6.9 172 45999
Field pea straw 0.6 35 4356 0.03 2 218
Faba bean straw 0.9 48 6363 0.15 8 1061
Oats straw 0.5 11 3360 0.1 25 74865
Crop stubble 1.5 29 11360 1.6 29 12459
Natural pasture 2.2 142 18189 3.2 204 26146
Hay 9.1 485 66269 9.3 498 68007 6.3 337 46027 7.2 386 52633 19.5 1043 142350 14 748 102083
Non-
conventional
feeds
Atela - - - 0.6 105 8287 - - - - - - 1.0 163 12865 0.08 13 1043

Field peas and - - - 2.2 229 19913 0.24 25 2153 - - - 5.0 519 45209 - - -
faba beans hull
Agro-industrial
by-products
Wheat bran 2.8 429 34860 4.3 664 45465 2.6 405 32868 3.6 552 44820 13.1 2012 163469 5.8 883 71712
Noug seedcake 0.6 203 6541 - - - 0.02 8 245 1.1 355 11446 - - - 2 628 20236
Cotton seedcake - - - - - - 0.02 9 217 - - - - - - -
Molasses 0.04 1 558 0.1 4 1520 0.24 7 3041 0.2 6 2661 0.1 4 1520 0.4 11 4916
Total 27.5 1616 213272 17 1499 151636 13 1585 113818 26 1758 209464 38 3741 365412 37 3994 310670

84
4.3.12. Estimated annual feed balance

The total annual nutrient intake, nutrient requirement and feed balances in the study areas are
shown in Table 36. In the Highland production system, the estimated available feed supply
met about 83% of the maintenance DM requirement of livestock per farm per year while the
total estimated DCP and ME were 40 and 10% surplus per year per farm. Among the Highland
production system, in Debre Birhan the existing feed supply on a year round basis satisfies
only 64% of the maintenance DM requirement of the animals per farm. Similarly, the total
available DCP and ME in the same area satisfy only 66% and 81% of the total livestock
requirement per farm on a yearly basis. In Jimma, total annual DM requirement was 11.5%
less than the annual DM requirement for maintenance. On the other hand, the total DM, DCP
and ME were 51% and 25% per farm, respectively, above the total annual requirement. In
Sebeta, the total annual DM requirement was 3% less than the requirement for maintenance
while total DCP and ME were 102% and 26% above the total annual requirement per farm.
Surplus DCP and ME above the maintenance requirement in Jimma and Sebeta could
probably be attributed to the use of better energy and protein supplements. In the CRV (around
Ziway), the total annual DM meets only 66% of the total livestock requirement per annum per
farm. In the same way, the total yearly available DCP and ME cover only 37% and 67% of the
total livestock requirement per farm, respectively. The larger deficit observed under this area
may be associated with poor quality of roughages and absence of supplements. Negative
balance of DM requirement observed in the current study agrees with other works reported
indifferent areas (Adugna and Said, 1994; Tessema et al., 2003). However, Sisay (2006)
reported surplus DM supply than the total annual livestock requirement at North Gondar.

The total nutrient supply and nutrient requirement by herd size is presented in Table 37. The
total Dry matter met only 85% and 79% of the total DM requirement per farm per annum for
farms with small and medium herd sizes, respectively. Regardless of study sites in the
Highland system, the total available DCP and ME per annum were according to the livestock
requirement for both small and medium herd sizes. In the urban and peri-urban system of the
Addis Ababa milk shed, Yoseph et al. (2003a) reported negative energy intake and a positive
balance for DCP intake. The annual feed supply on a year round base meets only 83, 76, and
85
97 % of the DM, DCP and ME total requirements per farm, respectively for small herd size
holders in Debre Birhan. For medium herd size holders in Debre Birhan the existing feed
supply only covers 53% of the DM, 59% of the DCP and 65 % of the ME total annual
requirements per farm. High nutrient deficit observed at Debre Birhan might be attributed to
the lack of land to produce feed and poor nutritive value of the major feeds ( crop residues) in
relation with the greater number of livestock population in the area. For small herd sizes
holders in Jimma the feed supply covered 92% DM requirements of animals for maintenance
whereas DCP and ME was 49% and 28% respectively, higher than the total annual
requirements per farm. For medium herd sizes, there was a shortage of 13% in the DM
requirements, and DCP and ME were 52% and 24% in over supply per annum per farm. In
Sebeta, except for DM requirements, total energy and protein supply were above the annual
requirements both at small and medium herd sizes.

86
 Table 36 Estimated annual feed dry matter and nutrient balance of livestock per farm per annum in the Highlands and Central Rift
Valley production system

Production system Annual nutrient supply Estimated annual nutrient Balance of supply and requirements
requirement
TDM TDCP TME TDM TDCP TME TDM TDCP TME
(t) (kg) (MJ) (t) (kg) (MJ)
Highland
Debre Birhan
TLU=20.1 26.4 1711.1 218162 41.4 2602 270912 -15(64.0%) -891(65.8%) -52750(80.5%)
Jimma
TLU=14.3 27.6 2620.0 258524 31.2 1733 206889 -3.6(88.5%) +887(151.2%) +51635(125.0%)
Sebeta
TLU=12.5 25.2 2798.7 219427 26.0 1387 174106 -0.8(96.9%) +1412(201.8%) +45321(126.0%)
Average 26.4 2376.6 232038 32.9 1907.3 217302 -6.5(83.1%) +469(139.6%) +14736(110.5%)
CRV
Ziway
TLU=15.6 21.3 725.4 146393 32.1 1987 217868 -10.8(66.4%) -1262(36.5%) -71475(67.2%)
TDM=Total Dry Matter, TDCP=Total Digestible Crude Protein, TME=Total Metabolizable Energy, CRV= Central Rift Valley

87
 Table 37 Estimated annual feed dry matter and nutrient balance of livestock per farm in the Highland production system by herd
size

Herd size Study sites Annual nutrient supply Estimated annual nutrient Balance of supply and requirements
category requirement
TDM TDCP TME TDM TDCP TME TDM TDCP TME
(t) (kg) (MJ) (t) (kg) (MJ)
Small DB 27.6 1616 213272 33.4 2114 219442 -5.8(82.6%) -498(76.4%) -6170(97.2%)
(TLU= 16.3)
Jimma 16.5 1499 151636 17.9 1009 118706 -1.4(92.2%) +490(148.6%) +32930(127.7%)
(TLU=8.0)
Sebeta 12.8 1585 113818 15.9 857 106012 -3.1(80.5%) +728(185.0%) +7806(107.4%)
(TLU=7.5)
Subtotal TLU=31.8 56.9 4700 478726 67.2 3980 444160 -10.3(84.7%) +720(118.1%) +34566(107.8%)
Medium DB 25.7 1758 209464 49 3004 322381 -23.3(52.5%) -1246(58.5%) -112917(65.0%)
(TLU=23.8)
Jimma 38.5 3741 365412 44 2457 295072 -5.5(87.5%) +1248(152.3%) +70340(123.8%)
(TLU=20.5)
Sebeta 37 3994 310670 36 1917 242200 +1.0(102.8%) +2077(208.4%) +68470(128.3%)
(TLU=17.4)
Subtotal TLU=61.7 101.2 9493 885546 129 7378 859653 -27.8(78.5%) +2115(128.7%) +25893(103.0%)
Grand total TLU=93.5 158.1 14193 1364272 196.2 11358 1303813 -38.1(80.7%) +2835(125.0%) +60459(104.6%)
DB= Debre Birhan, TDM=Total Dry Matter, TDCP=Total Digestible Crude Protein, TME=Total Metabolizable Energy

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4.4. Marketing of Feed, Cattle and Dairy Products in Highlands and Central Rift Valley
Production System

4.4.1. Feed marketing

It was observed that feed resources under highland system are relatively expensive compared
to Central Rift Valley (Table 38). Among Highland system, in Sebeta area the price of
brewery wet grain was lowest (ETB 0.18 per kg) and noug seedcake was the highest (ETB
2.23 per kg) followed by wheat bran (ETB 2.13). In both Debre Birhan and Jimma area, nouge
seedcake had the highest price (ETB 2.25 and 2.41 per kg, respectively). The price of Atela
and field pea and faba beans hull was the lowest in Debre Birhan and Jimma area,
respectively. In Jimma, agro-industrial by-products were not readily available, despite the high
prices. The problem might be partly associated with the fact that there are no agro-processing
industries in the area and that there are limited suppliers from other areas. The average prices
for most of the feeds in this study are within the range of prices reported by Berhanu et al.
(2009) in different parts of Ethiopia. There was not much price variation among major crop
residues except for green maize stover in Ziway area. Green feed and crop residues were the
major feeds supplied at Ziway market. Green maize stover that was produced under irrigation
in the dry period was commonly available at the market in Ziway area. In the same area crop
residues were available at the market from the period of crop harvest (October) to one or two
months later after crop collection (January). At Ziway market, soon after the cessation of the
main rain period, green grass comprised the largest feed market volume. However, the total
amount supplied to the market was not quantified. Most feeds were sold to smallholder dairy
farmers, fatteners and cart-horse/donkey owners in the town.

Regardless of the study sites, price per unit of digestible crude protein (DCP) feeds varied
from ETB 0.003 for Atela to 0.03 for molasses. Brewery wet grain had the lowest price per
unit of metabolizable energy (ME) while noug seedcake had the highest (Table 38). The lower
price per unit ME for brewery wet grains implies that dairy farms located close to brewery
factories probably do have better economic benefits.

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Table 38 Mean (±SE) price (ETB) per kg of available feed resources on as fed and per nutrient basis in the study sites.

Feed type Highland CRV Price per nutritive value

Debre Birhan Jimma market Sebeta Ziway Price per unit (g) Price per unit
market market market of DCP ME
Natural pasture hay - 0.75±0.05 1.23±0.03 - 0.019 0.14
Native green grass - - - 0.48±0.03 0.008 0.06
Barley straw 0.70±0.20 - - 0.62±0.03 0.021 0.08
Wheat straw - - 0.73±0.03 0.64±0.08 0.026 0.13
Tef straw - - - 0.77±0.07 0.022 0.11
Haricot bean straw 2.00±0.03 - - 0.60±0.05 0.010 0.08
Maize stover - - - 0.32±0.03 0.011 0.05
Field peas and faba - 0.60±0.08 - - 0.006 0.07
beans hull
Atela 0.50±0.05 0.61±0.12 - - 0.003 0.04
Wheat bran 2.13±0.10 2.00±0.05 - 0.014 0.17
Noug seedcake 2.25±0.05 2.41±0.08 2.23±0.03 - 0.007 0.23
Brewery wet grain - - 0.18±0.00 - 0.006 0.02
Molasses 0.73±0.30 1.05±0.03 0.70±0.05 0.030 0.06

During the study period the average exchange rate was 12.42 ETB = 1 USD

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4.4.2. Marketing of cattle

Most often, brokers are involved in the market to negotiate the price difference between
sellers and purchasers. Local market prices of both crossbreds and local breed cattle in the
study areas are shown in Figure 7. Selling/purchasing price of adult crossbred cows ranged
from Ethiopian Birr (ETB) 5,000.00 to 12,000.00 with an average of 8,838.00. Minimum and
maximum selling/purchasing prices for heifers were ETB 3,000.00 to 11,000.00, respectively.
Crossbred male calves were sold at low prices at an early age in peri-urban areas of Jimma and
Sebeta but in peri-urban areas of Debre Birhan, they remained in the herd for traction
purposes. When these oxen are too old, they will be fattened and sold with a price closer to the
price of crossbred heifers.

Figure 7 Market prices of crossbred and local cattle across the study sites.

During the study period the average exchange rate was 12.42 ETB = 1 USD

91
Among the local cattle herd, the selling price was higher for local bred oxen and bull
compared to others and varied from ETB 2000.00 to 6000.00. A slight rise in price for local
oxen and bull could be due to the relative importance for traction as well as source of income
in the former and preferred meat quality in the later as traditionally perceived by the local
community.

4.4.3. Milk and milk products marketing

Commonly sold type of dairy products and market types in the Highland peri-urban
production and Central Rift Valley are indicated in Table 39. Except livestock owners in and
around Ziway town, selling of whole milk was occasionally observed in the rural areas of
Central Rift Valley system. Cattle breeds maintained in this area are indigenous zebu which
produce little amount of milk per day. Instead of selling of whole milk, farmers in these areas
prefer to collect some days’ milk together and process it into butter and traditional Ayib for
sale or home consumption. Marketing of whole milk somehow also influenced by cultural
taboos. In the Central Rift Valley, butter was the main product sold (56% of respondents)
followed by both butter and Ayib (42.4%).

In contrast to Central Rift Valley system, marketing of whole milk is common in Highland
system. In Debre Birhan, Jimma and Sebeta, 40, 95 and 90% of the dairy farmers respectively,
were involved in selling whole milk to the market. In Debre Birhan and Sebeta, 45 and 90% of
the dairy farmers sold whole milk to milk collection centers while in Jimma, it was sold to
local markets such as cafeterias, hotels and hospitals. As a result the amount of milk processed
at home was quite little. In Debre Birhan, 55% the dairy farmers sold milk either to local
market or to milk collection centers. During the Orthodox fasting periods more milk was not
sold in Debre Birhan area. Around Ziway almost all of the respondents sold milk products to
local markets.

The average price of milk and milk products in wet and dry seasons in the study areas is
indicated in Figure 8. The price for locally processed products such as butter and ayib was
highest in the dry season in all study areas. In Debre Birhan, during the main Orthodox fasting
period (in dry season), the price of whole milk was lower than any other periods. It has been

92
 reported that during rainy season and fasting periods, demand decreases and results in
curtailment of the incoming raw milk volume from the producers to match the supply with
sales (Zegeye, 2003).

In both dry and wet seasons, price for butter was highest at Sebeta while it was slightly lower
in Jimma (Figure7). Price variations for butter between sites might be attributed to proximity
of the sites to big towns/cities such as Addis Ababa. The average price of whole milk was
higher at Jimma than Debre Birhan and Sebeta. Better price of whole milk in Jimma is related
to the existence of range of customers (cafeterias, hotels, hospitals and individuals) and
insignificant effect of fasting.

Table 39 Dairy products marketing and market types in the Highlands and Central Rift Valley
production system

Production Dairy products Market types

system Whole Butter Whole Butter and Whole LM MCC Both
milk milk and Ayib milk, butter LM and
butter and Ayib MCC

Highland
DB (n=20) 40% - 60% - - - 45% 55%
Jimma (n=20) 95% - 5% - - 100% - -
Sebeta (n=20) 90% - - - 10% 5% 90% 5%
Subtotal 75% - 22% - 3% 35% 45% 20%

CRV
Ziway (n=60) - 56% - 42% 2% 98% - 2%
n= number of respondents, LM= local market, DB= Debre Birhan, MCC=milk collection centers, Ayib ‘a
traditional fermented Ethiopian dairy product made commonly by heating sour milk after the butter is removed
through churning.’

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Figure 8 Average price of milk and milk products (ETB per kg) in dry and wet seasons in the study areas

During the study period the average exchange rate was 12.42 ETB = 1 USD

94
 5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

In this study, assessment of available feed resources was conducted in two livestock
production systems viz. peri-urban dairy system of the highlands and mixed-crop livestock
system of the Central Rift Valley (CRV). Debre Birhan, Sebeta and Jimma were considered to
represent the Highland peri-urban dairy system while Ziway was a representation of CRV
livestock production system. Among the Highland peri-urban study sites only farmers at
Debre Birhan had farmlands while those at Jimma and Sebeta did not have any farm land. In
the Central Rift Valle crop-livestock mixed farming system is dominant. The peri-urban dairy
system of the Highland is focused on crossbred dairy cows of any exotic blood level
inheritance while in the Central Rift Valley system animals were of indigenous breed types. A
survey was undertaken in both Highland and Central Rift Valley production systems and data
were collected on family structure, farm size, land use pattern, herd size, herd composition,
purpose of livestock raising, daily milk yield, crop grain yield, major crops grown, livestock
feed types, feed markets, milk price, milk market place, age at first parturition, calving
interval, lactation length, days open, mating systems, dry matter (DM) production, quantity of
total feed and types of houses to keep livestock. Laboratory analysis was carried out to
evaluate chemical composition and nutritive value of major feed resources collected from each
study site.

The survey results indicated that the mean herd size per household in both Highland and
Central Rift Valley was 15.6 TLU. The average number of sheep per household was
significantly (P<0.05) higher in the highland production system whereas the average number
of goats was the higher in the Central Rift Valley. The average number of horses per
household was much larger (P<0.05) at Debre Birhan than the rest of the study sites.

Assessment of feed resources indicated that Highland production system is dominated by

intensive and specialized dairy farmers where most of the time depend on purchased feeds. In
the Central Rift Valley, livestock production system is extensive and largely depends on
grazing lands and crop residues. In Jimma and Sebeta, there was no grazing land available and
cattle do not have access to grazing. Feed types commonly used in these areas include grass
hay, agro-industrial by products (noug cake and wheat bran), freshly cut green feeds, crop
residues, brewery wet grains and local brewery by-products like Atela. The major feed
resources in the Central Rift Valley (Ziway) were natural grazing pasture and crop residues.
Feed shortage was commonly observed in the dry season of the year in all study sites.
Accordingly, 90% of the participants in the Central Rift Valley described feed shortage
followed by water scarcity (70%) in the dry period as the major constraints to livestock
production. In the Highland peri-urban production system, about 58% of the respondents face
feed shortage during dry season. About 65% of the respondents in Debre Birhan area
encountered feed shortage in wet season and 80% of the respondents in Jimma during dry
season. Among the small herd size dairy farms, 90% in Debre Birhan and 40% in Sebeta did
not have enough feed in wet seasons. All medium herd size dairy farms in Jimma while 60%
of them in both Debre Birhan and Sebeta encountered feed shortage in the dry season. In the
Highland peri-urban production system, about 63% of the dairy farmers reported feed shortage
associated with the escalating price of feed in the market. In the same area, about 52% of the
farmers did not have land to grow forages. In addition, 45% of the farmers reported that
commercial supplement feeds are not sufficiently available in the market.

Survey of the productive and reproductive performance of dairy cows indicated that the
overall estimated mean daily milk yield in the Highland peri-urban production system was
7.6±0.3 kg. The estimated daily milk yield was higher (9.7±0.5 kg) at Sebeta while it was
lower (6.1±0.4 kg) at Debre Birhan. In the Central Rift Valley (Ziway), the dominant breed of
cattle is indigenous Arsi zebu and the overall estimated mean milk yield from this breed was
about 1.5±0.3 kg/day. Over all mean lactation length for cows in the peri-urban study sites was
296.5±8.7 days. In the Central Rift Valley, the estimated mean lactation length was
320.5±32.3 days. The overall estimated mean ages of heifers at first service and mating were
27.5±1.0 and 36.8±1.0 months for Highland peri-urban study sites, respectively. Heifers at
Sebeta area had the shortest age at fist service (24.3±1.7 months) and age at first calving
(33.6±1.7 months). The overall estimated mean ages at first service and calving for heifers in
the Central Rift Valley (Ziway) were longer (51.1±5.0 and 60.4±5.0 months, respectively).

96
The overall estimated mean calving interval and days open in the Highland study areas were
about 471.5±20.1 and 191.5±20.1 days, respectively. On the other hand, in the Central Rift
Valley (Ziway), the overall estimated calving interval and days open for local cattle breeds
were 662±83 and 382±83 days, respectively. About 52 and 97% of the respondents in the
Highland and Central Rift Valley production systems, respectively, used only natural service.
Artificial Insemination (AI) service was almost absent in the CRV while 23% of the farmers
get access of it in the Highland production system. About 25% of the farmers in the Highland
peri-urban production system use a combination of AI and natural mating. More than half of
the respondents at Sebeta had access to AI service while 75% of the respondents at Debre
Birhan and Jimma use natural mating. Al service has not yet been introduced at a large scale in
areas, which are located further away from Addis Ababa.

Assessment of biomass production in the Central Rift Valley shown that biomass yield of
grasses, forage legumes and forbs was 3597 kg ha-1, 67.4 kg ha-1 and 298.5 kg ha-1,
respectively. Dry matter yield obtained from legumes was lowest (12.7 kg ha-1) while it was
higher for grasses (1172.5 kg ha-1).

Laboratory evaluation of major feeds collected from all study areas showed that the crude
protein (CP) content of crop residues varied from 3.05% in oats straw to 6.74% in field pea
straw. All crop residues in the current study had lower CP contents than the minimum level of
7% CP required for optimum rumen microbial function. Similarly, crop stubbles had lower CP
content. The mean in vitro digestible organic matter in the dry matter (IVDOMD) for cereal
crop residues was about 47%, which might be lower than the minimum level required for
quality roughages. The energy content of crop residues ranged from 6.48 MJ/kg DM (wheat)
to 7.89 MJ/kg DM (barley) straw. Acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber and lignin
contents evaluated were high for both crop residues and stubbles. The lower content of CP for
both crop residues and crop stubbles may be compensated with strategic supplementation of
proteinaceous feeds to improve livestock performance.

Metabolizable energy (ME) of commonly used energy supplements such as wheat bran,
molasses and Atela varied from 12.5 to 13.2 MJ/kg DM. Molasses had the lowest CP content.

97
With the exception of CP content of molasses, energy supplements (wheat bran, Atela)
evaluated in the present work closely matched with the standard recommended for Ethiopian
feeds. Among the protein supplements, brewery wet grains had slightly lower CP (26.8%) than
cotton seed cake (42.0 %) and nouge cake (34.5%). The energy content, protein content and
IVDOMD in protein supplements were sufficient to improve livestock performance. Calcium
(Ca) and Phosphorous (P) concentrations of the major feedstuffs were low. This indicates that
supplementary mineral diets are required particularly for high yielding animals.

Estimation on annual feed availability indicated that the total amount of feed dry matter, DCP
and ME per farm per annum in the Highland production system was 79.1 t, 7130 kg and
691113 MJ, respectively. Similarly in the Central Rift Valley (Ziway) the total DM, DCP and
ME estimated were 21.3 t, 725 kg and 146393 MJ, respectively. In the Highland production
system, the estimated available feed supply met about 83% of the maintenance DM
requirement of livestock per farm per year while the total estimated DCP and ME were 40 and
10% surplus per year per farm. In Debre Birhan, the existing feed supply on a year round
basis satisfies only 64% of the maintenance DM requirement, 66% of DCP and 81% of ME
requirements. In Jimma, total annual DM requirement was 11.5% less than the annual DM
requirement for maintenance. Similarly, the total DCP and ME were 51% and 25% per farm,
respectively, above the total annual requirement. In Sebeta, the total annual DM requirement
was 3% less than the requirement for maintenance while total DCP and ME were 102% and
26% above the total annual requirement per farm. In the CRV (around Ziway), the total annual
DM meets only 66% of the total livestock requirement per annum per farm while the total
yearly available DCP and ME cover only 37% and 67% of the total livestock requirement per
farm, respectively. It can be deduced from current available feed requirement estimation that
the total feed dry matter was deficit in both Highland and Central Rift Valley production
systems.

Assessment of market price of feeds and milk showed that in the Highland study sites noug
seedcake had the highest price and varied from ETB 2.13 to 2.41 per kg feed. In Sebeta area
the price of brewery wet grain was lowest (ETB 0.18 per kg feed). Regardless of the study
sites, price per unit of digestible crude protein (DCP) of feeds varied from ETB 0.003 for

98
Atela to 0.03 for molasses. Brewery wet grain had the lowest price (ETB 0.02) per unit of
metabolizable energy (ME) while noug seedcake had the highest (ETB 0.23). The lower price
per unit ME for brewery wet grains implies that dairy farms located close to brewery factories
probably do have better economic benefits.

Farmers in Ziway area prefer to collect some days’ milk together and process it into butter and
traditional Ayib for sale or home consumption. In the Central Rift Valley, butter was the main
product sold (56% of respondents). In Debre Birhan and Sebeta, 45 and 90% of the dairy
farmers sold whole milk to milk collection centers while in Jimma, it was sold to local markets
such as cafeterias, hotels and hospitals. The price for locally processed products such as butter
and Ayib was highest in the dry season in all study areas. In Debre Birhan, during the main
Orthodox fasting period (in dry season), the price of whole milk was lower than any other
periods. In general, price of butter increased for sites located closer to big towns/cities such as
such as Addis Ababa.

Therefore, from the current study it was concluded that the quality of available basal roughage
feeds is generally low and strategic supplementation of protein and energy rich feeds should
be required. Alternative means of dry season feed production and supply should be in place
with the involvement of all stakeholders and development actors. In relation with the rising
market price of concentrate feeds, other optional feeds like brewery wet grains and non-
conventional feed resources should be further considered.

99
6. RECOMMENDATIONS AND SCOPE FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

 Lack of land in the peri-urban areas for livestock farming particularly for dairy needs
attention to formulate clear and workable policy by assessing the real situation at the
grass root level.

 Further research and development work to alleviate dry season feed shortage through
different options such as utilization of non-conventional feeds, development of
improved forages with the use of irrigation and alternative means of crop residue
utilization.

 Feed is the major bottleneck for the current peri-urban dairy production. Encouraging
private investors to be involved in commercial animal feed production (forage
production and agro-industrial feed processing).

 It was noted that farmers lack awareness on the use of improved forages and hence
consolidated extension service required.

 In this study, it was found difficult to determine exotic blood level of crossbred cows.
As a result estimation of the performance of cattle was also done based on survey data
as there was no record at farm level. Thus, further work on record keeping need to be
addressed.

 Detailed monitoring research is imperative to further investigate on productive and

reproductive performance of cattle.

 Detailed monitoring research on the existing practice of ration formulation by the

farmer.

 Better milk yield observed at Sebeta area could be a point of interest to further study
on the biological and economic efficiency of feeding agro-industrial by-products such
as brewery wet grain for dairy cattle kept close to brewery factories.

100
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122
8. APPENDICES

123
Appendix Table 1 Conversion factors of livestock number to Tropical Livestock Unit (TLU)

Livestock species TLU

Local oxen/bulls 1.1
Cross bred oxen/bulls 1.9
Local cows 0.8
Crossbred cows 1.8
Local heifers 0.5
Crossbred heifers 0.7
Local calves 0.2
Crossbred calves 0.4
Sheep 0.1
Goats 0.1
Horses 0.8
donkeys 0.5
Source: Gryseels (1988) and Bekele (1991), TLU=Total Livestock Unit.

Appendix Table 2 Total daily nutrient requirement of livestock per livestock species

Livestock species DM (kg) CP(g) ME (MJ)

Oxen 4.8 361.3 33.0
Bulls 4.8 361.3 33.0
Cows 4.4 227.8 29.7
Heifers 3.3 232.0 21.7
Calves 1.9 144.0 13.0
Sheep 0.65 53.0 4.3
Goats 0.64 49.0 5.0
Horses 5.3 400.4 27.6
Donkeys 2.5 192.5 14.9
Source: Kearl (1982) and McCarthy (1986)

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Appendix Table 3 Questionnaires used

Section I

General Information

1. Date----------------------------------------------
2. Region------------------------------------------
3. Zone--------------------------------------
4. Woreda--------------------------------
5. PA`S name------------------------------------------
6. Name of house holder------------------------------------------------------------
7. Sex---------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Age--------------------------------------------------
9. How many family members do you have?
A) Male-----------------------------
B) Female-------------------------
C) Children (≤ 14 years)--------------------------------------------------
D) Adult (≥15-64 years)-------------------------------------------------------
E) Dependants (>65 years) ----------------------------------------------------------
10. Educational status
A. Illiterate --------------------
i. Owner-----------------
ii. Spouse-----------------
iii. Children---------------
iv. Other (specify)-----------------
B. Read and write only-------------------------------
i. Owner-----------------
ii. Spouse-----------------
iii. Children---------------
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iv. Other (specify)-----------------
C. Primary school------------------------------------
i. Owner-----------------
ii. Spouse-----------------
iii. Children---------------
iv. Other (specify)-----------------
D. Junior Secondary School--------------------------
i. Owner-----------------
ii. Spouse-----------------
iii. Children---------------
iv. Other (specify)-----------------
E. Secondary School----------------------------------
i. Owner-----------------
ii. Spouse-----------------
iii. Children---------------
iv. Other (specify)-----------------
F. Above Secondary School------------------------------------
i. Owner-----------------
ii. Spouse-----------------
iii. Children---------------
iv. Other (specify)-----------------
11. Land holding and land use system
A. Total area of land owned by the household----------------------------------ha
B. Food crop production----------------------------------ha
C. Grazing land----------------------------------ha
D. Fallow land------------------------------------ha
E. Forage crop production----------------------------------ha
F. Forest and woodland-------------------------------------------ha
G. Rented/contracted land----------------------------------------------ha
H. Other (specify)-------------------------------------------------

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12. Land utilized for major types of food crops
a. Wheat---------------------------------------------ha.
b. Barley-----------------------------------------------ha.
c. Tef --------------------------------------------ha
d. Broad bean--------------------------------------------ha
e. Field Pea --------------------------------------------ha
f. Haricoat bean --------------------------------------------ha
g. Chick pea --------------------------------------------ha
h. oil seed (lean seed rapeseed etc.) --------------------------------------------ha
i. Maize--------------------------------------------ha
j. Sorghum--------------------------------------------ha
k. Others (specify)--------------------------------------------ha
13. Grain yield obtained from major crops
a. Wheat---------------------------------------------Quintal.
b. Barley-----------------------------------------------Quintal.
c. Tef --------------------------------------------Quintal
d. Broad bean--------------------------------------------Quintal
e. Field Pea --------------------------------------------Quintal
f. Haricot bean -------------------------------------------- Quintal
g. Chick pea -------------------------------------------- Quintal
h. oil seed (lean seed rapeseed etc.) ---------------------------------------Quintal
i. Maize-------------------------------------------- Quintal
j. Sorghum-------------------------------------------- Quintal
k. other-------------------------------------------- Quintal

127
14. Livestock production
Cattle herd structure

Type of animal Total

Milking cows

Dry cows

Oxen

Calves male

Calves female

Heifers

Bulls

Sheep and goats

Type of animal Total

Ewe

Ram

Lamb

Does

Billy

Bucks

Kids

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Equines

Type of animal total

Mare

Stallions

Pony

Jennys

Jack

Foals

15. Purpose of keeping cattle

a. Traction, yes-----------, no-------------
b. Milk, yes-----------, no-----------------
c. Both traction and milk, yes----------------- no,--------------
d. Savings, yes------------- no,----------------------
e. Other (specify) ----------------

129
16. Labor division of the family member in livestock management activities

Type of activities Sex of individuals Age of

individuals

Milking

Pregnant cow feeding and

caring

Calf rearing

Heifer rearing

Bull feeding

Cattle Herding

Barn cleaning

Herd feeding/watering

Milk and milk product

marketing

Feed collection

Section II.

Dairy cattle Production and Reproduction

1.For how long did you involve in dairying?
a. Last 10 years-------------------------------
b. Last five years------------------------------
c. Last two years--------------------------
2. what type of dairy breeds do you have?
a. local
b. cross
c. Pure (full exotic)
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d. combination of the above
3. What is the total number of milking cows do you have currently?
a. Local cows----------------------------------
b. Cross breed--------------------------------
c. pure exotic breed------------------------
4. Milking frequency per day
a. once per day
b. twice per day
c. thrice per day
5. Milking times
a. morning
b. early afternoon (13:00-14:00 Pm)
c. evening
6. What is the total amount of milk yield per day?
a. local cows-----------------------------------------------.(liter/day/cow)
b. crossbred cows---------------------------------(liter/day/cow)
c. Pure exotic cows-----------------------------------(liter/day/cow)
7. Lactation length for crossbred cows------------------------------------------ days/months and for
local cows-------------------------------------------------------------------------days/months
8. Age at first calving for local heifers---------------------------------------------years/months
9. Age at first calving for crossbred (pure exotic breed) heifers--------------------------------------
-------years/months
10. Calving interval for local bred cows----------------------------------------months/year
11. Calving interval for crossbred (pure exotic bred) cows--------------------------------------------
---------months/year
12. Maximum number of Parity for local cows-----------------------------------
13. Maximum number of Parity for crossbred (pure bred) cows---------------------------
14. For how long does your local cow survive? ------------------------years
15. For how long does your crossbred (pure bred) cow survive? ------------------------years
16. What is the maximum productive age of your local bred cows? ---------------years

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17. What is the maximum productive age of your crossbred (pure bred) cows? ---------------
years
18. What is the age of first mating for local bred heifers? ---------------years
19. What is the age of first mating for crossbred (pure bred) heifers? ---------------years
20. How do you breed your dairy animals?
a. using natural mating ( breeding bulls)
b. AI
21. If natural mating is used where is the source of the breeding bull?
A. Reared at home B. Purchased C. Offices of Agriculture and agricultural research
22. At what parity do you expect maximum milk yield?
A. Between 1 and 2 parities B. Between 3-5 parities C. ≥6 parities.
23. At what parity do you expect better calf growth?
A. Between 1 and 2 parities B. Between 3-5 parities C. ≥6 parities.
24. For what purpose do you use crossbred (purebred exotic) male calves?
A. breeding B. selling at early age C. slaughtered at early age D. for traction
25. Way of disposing older animals
A. fattened and sold at market B. sold without finishing at market C. slaughtered at home
without finishing D. slaughtered at home after fattening
26. Where did you get dairy cows initially?
A. bought from market B. obtained from the respective agricultural offices C. bred at home
from AI service D. other (specify)--------------------------
27. How much do you cost to buy:
a. crossbred cows--------------------------------------birr and local cows---------------------------birr
b. crossbred heifer--------------------------------------birr and local heifer-------------------------birr
c. crossbred female calf-------------------------------birr and local calf-----------------------------birr
d. breeding bull---------------------------------------------birr
e. Male breeding calf-----------------------------------------birr
f. pure exotic cow------------------------------------------birr
g. pure exotic heifer-----------------------------------------birr
h. pure exotic female calf--------------------------------------------------birr

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Section III

Feeding management of animals

1. How do you feed your dairy animals?

a. indoor feeding (confined in a house) using individual feeding system
b. in a collection yard using group feeding
c. let to graze in a grazing land (grazing in an improved forage pasture land, natural pasture
land or both?
d. tethering in a grazing land
e. other specify
2. if your cows are fed indoor, can you list the major types of feed you have provided to them?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------

3. Do you have access to grazing land? 1. Yes 2. No

4. If you let your dairy cows to graze, for how long do they graze per day? -------------------
hours
5. What is the size of your grazing land? -------------------------------------------------ha
a. is the grazing land your own or contracted?

b. if your own, how many ha?----------------------------------------------- and if contracted how

many ha? ------------------------------------------------------
6. If your cows are confined, do you know the amount of each feed type given to them daily?
a. yes
b. No

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7. And if yes what is the amount of :
a. hay ----------------------------------------kg
b. supplement: i. nouge cake-----------------------------kg/day/cow
ii. cotton seed cake----------------------------kg/day/cow
iii. wheat bran-----------------------------kg/day/cow
iv. wheat middling----------------------------------kg/day/cow
v. silage-------------------------------------------------kg/day/cow
vi. molasses --------------------------------------kg/liter/day/cow
vii. Others (specify)-------------------------------------------------
8. Do you believe that are your cows getting sufficient feed?
a. Yes
b. No
9. And if No, why?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

134
10. What do you feed animals at different months?

Feeding Months
management Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug

Grazing own
pasture

Grazing
communal
land

Grazing on
crop residue

Crop
aftermath
grazing

Zero grazing

Weeds from
crop farms

11. Is the grazing resource adequate to your animals?

a) Yes b) No
If not what measures do you take to alleviate problems of feed shortage?
a) Purchase concentrate b) Purchase forage (rent grazing land) c) use crop residues d)
reduction of stock e) other (specify)--------------------------
12. At which season do you face feed shortages?
A) Short rainy season B) Long rainy season C) Short dry season D) Long dry season
13. What are the major consequences of feed shortages?
A) Weight loss of animals B) Reduced milk yield C) Increased mortality D) Abortions E)
Animals remain unproductive for longer period F) Do not come in heat G) Others (specify)

135
14. Do you plant improved forage crops?
a) Yes b) No
15. If you do not plant improved forage crops, what is your reason?
a) shortage of land b) shortage of capital c) shortage of improved forage seeds d) difficult
topography e) poor soil fertility and drainage f) no awareness about it g) I have no interest g)
others ( specify)---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Do you feed crop residues to your animals? a) Yes b) No
17. List the major types of crop residues you feed to your animals in your area?------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. What is the source of crop residues?
a) Purchased b) produced on farm c) obtained as gift d) other (specify)
19. If purchased what is the estimated price per bale or kg? It is----------------birr
20. How do you store crop residues?
a) stacked outside b) stacked under shade c) baled outside d) baled under shade e) other
(specify)
21. For how long do you store crop residue before feeding?
a) soon after collection b) one month after collection c) two months after collection d) Over
two months after collection
22. In what form do you feed your crop residue?
a) whole b) chopped c) treated d) mixed with other feeds e) other (specify)-----------------
----------------------------------------------------------
23. What type of grazing system employed during dry season?
a) un herded b)herded c) paddock d) tethered e) zero grazing f) other (specify)
24. What type of grazing system employed during wet season?
a) un herded b)herded c) paddock d) tethered e) zero grazing f) other (specify)
25. Do you use irrigation?
A) Yes B) No

136
26. If yes which products do you produce with it?
a) food crops b) animal feeds c) both d) mainly food crops then crop residues e)
Vegetables and vegetable residues as animal feed f) other (specify)
27. Do you feed your animals fodder trees?
A) Yes B)No
28. What type of fodder trees do you use for your animals?
A) Introduced fodder trees B) Indigenous fodder trees
29. List the names of browse trees in order of importance for livestock feed ----------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30. When do you feed fodder trees?
A) dry season B) Wet season C) short rainy season
31. Which part of the fodder trees would be provided to your animal?
A) leaves B) twigs C) stems D) roots
32. In what form do you feed fodder trees to your animals?
A) fresh as soon as cut B) by letting to wilt C) by drying it D) other (specify)----------
33. Do you feed hay to your animals?
A) Yes B) No
34. If yes where does the source of hay?
A) home grown B) purchased from the market
35. How do you know the quality of hay? Can you tell us some of the quality parameters
helpful to judge good quality hay?
A) color B) appearance C) maturity D) species of forage/grass type E) smell F) other
(specify)
36. For which group of animal do you feed hay?
A) oxen B) milking cows C) dry cows D) young calves E) breeding bulls F) young
bulls and heifers
37. What is the estimated amount of concentrate and conventional feed do you buy annually?
A) Wheat bran_____________________ Quintal/kg

137
B) Wheat middling_____________________ Quintal/kg
C) Nouge cake_____________________ Quintal/kg
D) Cotton seed cake_____________________ Quintal/kg
E) Lean seed cake_____________________ Quintal/kg
F) Rape seed cake_____________________Quintal/kg
G) Molasses _____________________ litre/kg
H) Conventional feeds like byproducts of local alcoholic drinks_________________ litre/kg

Section IV

Watering Management

1. What are the sources of water to your animals?

A) River B) Pond C) Spring water D) Pipe water E) Other (specify)
2. What is the average distance travelled by livestock to the water source (point) during
dry season?
A) Watered at home B) < 1km C) 1-5km D) 6-10km E ) >10km
3. How frequently cattle are watered during dry season?
A) Once in a day B) Twice in a day C) Ad libitum D) Once in two days E) Once in
three days F) other (specify)------------------------------
4. How frequently shoats are watered during dry season?
A) Once in a day B) Twice in a day C) Ad libitum D) Once in two days E) Once in
three days F) other (specify)------------------------------
5) How frequently equines are watered during dry season?
A) Once in a day B) Twice in a day C) Ad libitum D) Once in two days E) Once in
three days F) other (specify)------------------------------

138
Section V

Milk and milk products marketing

1. How milking is done?

a. Hand milking
b. Machine milking
2. Do you practice milk selling?
a. Yes b. No
3. If yes where do you sell milk?
a. To local market b. To milk collection center
4. How do you transport milk to market?
a. By vehicle b. by cart horses or donkeys c. by loading directly on horse or donkey
back d. by bicycle e. transported by the owner labor
5. How far do you travel to reach market/milk collection center? Estimated distance-------
-----------------------------km.
6. How long do you travel to reach market/milk collection centers?
a. By vehicle, -----------------------------------minute/hour
b. Travel on foot by holding milk-------------------------- minutes/hour
c. Travel by pack animals-----------------------------------minutes/hours
d. Travel by cart-horse/donkey------------------------------minutes/hours
e. Travel by bicycle--------------------------------------minutes/hours
7. In what form do you process milk?
a. butter
b. Yoghurt
c. Cheese
d. Whey
8. At what season of the year do you get more milk?
a. dry season
b. wet season
c. short rain season
139
9. At what season of the year do you sell more amount of milk?
a. dry season
b. wet season (long rainy season)
c. short rain season
10. What is the price per litre/kg of whole milk during;
a. dry season-----------------------------birr
b. wet season(long rainy season)--------------------------------birr
c. short rainy season--------------------------------birr
11. What is the price per kg of butter during;
a. dry season-----------------------------birr
b. wet season(long rainy season)--------------------------------birr
c. short rainy season--------------------------------birr
12. What is the price per litre/kg of yoghurt during;
a. dry season-----------------------------birr
b. wet season(long rainy season)--------------------------------birr
c. short rainy season--------------------------------birr
13. What is the price per litre/kg of whey during;
a. dry season-----------------------------birr
b. wet season(long rainy season)--------------------------------birr
c. short rainy season--------------------------------birr
14. What is the price per kg of cheese during;
a. dry season-----------------------------birr
b. wet season(long rainy season)--------------------------------birr
c. short rainy season--------------------------------birr
15. During which holidays do you sell more milk and milk products with better price? List in
order-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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16. At what season of the year do you get the lowest milk yield?
A. Dry season, B. Wet season, C. Short rainy season

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