Study on Major Reproductive Health Problems and Associated Risk Factors of Crossbred Dairy Cows in and Around Butajira Town, Southern Ethiopia

Tajebe Jerjero; Gizachew Hailegebriel

Abstract

Reproductive problems of cows considerably affect dairy profitability. A study of questionnaire survey and regular follow-up was conducted to investigate major reproductive health problems and responsible risk factors in crossbred dairy cows in and around Butajira town. For this research, a total of 384 crossbred breed dairy cows were randomly selected out of which 41% (n=157) were found to be affected by one or more of the common reproductive health problems revealed by the study. With respect to study methods, 39% (96/246) and 44.2% (61/138) of the dairy cows studied by questionnaire survey and regular follow up, respectively were suffered from at least one type of identified reproductive health disorders. The study result also indicated the prevalent reproductive disorders, along with their prevalence rate to be 3.13% abortion, 6.51% anoestrus, 6% dystocia, 4.17% retained fetal membrane, 13.3% repeat breeding and 7.81% mixed cases. Of the considered risk factors, only parity status has shown to significantly (P<0.05) influence the occurrence of the problems in which pluriparous cows were more affected than first calve heifers. This particular study has pointed out that abortion, anoestrus, repeat breeding, dystocia and retained fetal membrane were the major reproductive health obstacles incriminated for the low productivity and associated economic loss of dairy industry in the study area. Awareness creation regarding the impacts of these problems with their associated risk factors and sound mitigation strategies need to be extended to dairy farmers in the efforts of controlling these challenges and increasing the desired productivity of the sector.

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