Breeding efficiency, lifetime lactation and calving performance of Friesian-Boran crossbred cows at Cheffa farm, Ethiopia
Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
Goshu, G., Addis Ababa University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P. O. Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia
Records of 602 cows maintained at Cheffa farm from 1976 to 1997 were used to analyze the variables breeding efficiency, herd life, and effective productive herd life, number of parity completed, number of calves produced and lifetime milk yield. The fixed factors considered were four levels of Friesian inheritance, three levels of season of birth or calving, nine levels of parity and 21 levels of year. General Linear Model was used to estimate the effect of independent factors. The overall mean for breeding efficiency was 66.3±0.49 and affected significantly (P<0.001) by all factors. The overall mean for herd life and effective productive herd life were 2858±57.3 and 1301±47.6 days, respectively. Level of Friesian inheritance and year of birth effected significantly (P<0.001) both traits. The overall mean for initiated parity and number of calves produced were 4.23±0.12 and 3.58±0.13, respectively and affected (P<0.001) by level of inheritance and birth year of the cow but not by season of birth. Lifetime milk yield was 12749±483kg and significantly affected (P<0.001) by level of inheritance and year of birth. Season of birth did not affect the trait significantly. The study showed that the F1 and 3/4Friesian inheritance cows had performed better than 15/16 groups. Breeding efficiency and lifetime productivity can be improved by placing efficient reproduction, feeding and health management at the farm.