Tackling the future challenges of Organic Animal Husbandry - vTI

! Agriculture and Forestry Research, Special Issue No 362 (Braunschweig, 2012) ISSN 0376-0723
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another, which was affected by season of the year, accessibility, performance and/or breed of
the cow and type of predominant feed and feeding systems.
Milking activity, primarily done by women in the study areas, is in agreement with the reports of
other studies conducted in different parts of Ethiopia (Belete 2006). Twice per day milking in the
present study is higher compared to the report of Yitaye (2008) in the North western highlands. The
present study also agrees with the report of Alehegne (2004) in which, most farms do not use towel
for wiping of cows udder. The large proportion of respondents used plastic milk utensils, corroborates
with the report of Sintayehu et al. (2008). Types of utensils, frequency and methods of cleaning
of milking utensils are the key components for implementing proper milk handling practice prior
to consumption, marketing and/or further processing purposes.
Record keeping is a prerequisite for any decision making and control over certain production
and reproduction performance of dairy cattle and to measure the profit of any market-oriented
farms. Despite this basic principle, record keeping in inexistent in the present study area, most likely
due to lack of adequate experience and/or awareness of its benefits.
The present study corroborates with the reports of Sintayehu et al. (2008) regarding the housing
conditions of dairy cattle. Most smallholders in rural mixed crop-livestock production system share
the same house with their animals while the urban dairy producers keep their animals in a separate
shelter. Sheltering cattle, not only protects animals from extreme environmental hazards, but also
ease some other husbandry practices. Therefore, cow sheds must be designed in such a way that
routine activities like feeding, watering, milking, waste management and other activities can be
easily and effectively handled.
Age at first calving and calving interval in the present study agreed with the reports of Mukasa-
Mugerwa (1989). However, AFC from Tiyo district was slightly shorter than the other districts and
this might be due to the highly influence of environmental factors, feed and health on the trait than
heritability.
As reported by many researchers, animal diseases posed a major threat to cattle production in the
present study area. However, the types and ranking of diseases occurred was differed from the previous
reports. Higher numbers of respondents have got veterinary services over the report of Kedija
(2007). Poor animal health service and lack of improved management were the major constraints
for dairy development, resulted in poor performance across the production systems (Ibrahim and
Olaloku 2002). The dairy producers who have got training on dairy cattle management were fewer
compared to the report of Yitaye (2008) and artificial insemination service users in the present
study were also fewer compared to the report of Kelay (2002).
Milk yield of local breeds was in agreement with the report of Sintayehu et al. (2008) while that of
crossbreeds was lesser. Dairy producers which kept better performing dairy cows were able to benefit
much more from dairying and provide good service to the community by providing milk to the
urban population.
Formal dairy marketing in the present study area was established by producers, few cooperatives,
retailers and processors and consumers. Similarly, Sintayehu (2003) reported, the presence of milk
processing plants encouraged the emergence of formal marketing systems in the Addis Ababa milk
shed. The present study also agrees with the report of Kurtu (2003) in which, differences in distance
to milk market places in the Harar milk shed affect the price of milk. Milk is transported to towns
on foot, by donkey, by horse or by public transport, and commands a higher price there than when
sold in the neighborhood (Siegefreid and Berhanu 1991).
As reported by IPS (2000), major factors that determine selling outlets, demand and price of milk in
the present study were poor infrastructure and poor logistics for collection, transport and sale of
milk and milk products coupled with seasonal fluctuation of market prices due to relatively more
supply and refrain in more people from taking milk and milk products during fasting period. Under
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