Dep. Of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia the dairy industry plays an enormous role in ensuring food security and creating rural employment in the highlands and lowland areas. In 2013 the annual milk produc on was es mated to be 3.8 billion liters from ca le and 165 million liters from camel. From this, the total produc on of cow milk holds 4.06 billion liters and the average daily milk production/cow of 1.86 litres/day. However, Milk yield per day per cow remains to be low for indigenous dairy cattle compared to cross bred in different part of the country. According to different studies, there was 1.0. l, 2.07, 1.5 l, 1.5, 1.5, 2, 3.3, 2.2, 2, 1.9, 2.8, 2.2 in Gambela, Sidama, Mekele, Bahir Dar, Diredawa and Harar, Ambo, Bedele, Jimma, Metu, Nakemte, Dembi Dolo, respectively. On the other hand, cross bred dairy cows provided considerable amount of milk in different areas. According to the studies conducted by different researchers, there was 11.6, 10.8, 7.1, 15, 7.5, 7.8, 4, and 9.3 in Bishoftu, Akaki, Bahir Dar, Diredawa, Harar, Ambo, Bedele and Jimma, respectively. Cross breeding program had significantly improved the genetic level of an overwhelming majority of indegiounous dairy cattle. Aside from the genetics, the milk yield is constrained by shortage of feed availability, water and lack of improved herd management. Therefore, improvement on the genetic makeup of dairy cattle should be complemented with provision of improved forage crops, supplementation of concentrate, adequate veterinary services and improved herd management.