Kebede G., Kebede M., Midexa T., Eshetu S.
Bako Agricultural Research Center, P. O.Box 3, Bako, Ethiopia
Kebede, G., Bako Agricultural Research Center, P. O.Box 3, Bako, Ethiopia; Kebede, M., Bako Agricultural Research Center, P. O.Box 3, Bako, Ethiopia; Midexa, T., Bako Agricultural Research Center, P. O.Box 3, Bako, Ethiopia; Eshetu, S., Bako Agricultural Research Center, P. O.Box 3, Bako, Ethiopia
Reproductive traits of Horro and their crosses with Friesian and Jersey females were compared. Two thousand nine hundred thirty three, 282 and 280 data of Horro, Horro-Friesian and Horro-Jersey cows; 1804 and 1691 data for dry and wet seasons; 1716 and 1755 data of breeding by bull and artificial insemination respectively were used in the study. Horro cows had mean intervals from calving to first heat of 72.4 days (range 15-253) and from calving to conception 119.2 days (range 57-317). Similarly Horro x Friesian cows had mean intervals from calving to first heat of 77.8 days (range 17-247) and from calving to conception 123 days (range 66-277). Horro X Jersey cows had mean intervals from calving to first heat of 66.3 days (range 16-216) and from calving to conception 108.6 days (range 43-285). No significant differences were found between the breeds in the number of services per conception, gestation length and days to conception. However Horro X Jersey crosses had the shortest interval to first heat and days open and required less number of services per conception than the other breeds. Calving to first service interval did not vary among breeds. The influence of season of calving on the number of services per conception and days open was significant (p<0.05). Significant differences (p<0.05) were also found between the two breeding types, artificial insemination and bull, in the number of services per conception. The number of services per conception for cows served by bull and artificial insemination were 1.76 and 2.09 respectively.