STATUS OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION AND REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY CATTLE IN AMBO DISTRICT,WEST SHOA ZONE OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE ETHIOPIA

The study was conducted to assess the status of Artificial Insemination (AI), and reproductive performances of dairy cows in smallholder Urban and rural dairy farms in Ambo District, west Shoa zone Oromia National Regional state. A total of 125 respondents who had used AI, services were randomly selected and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire. Secondary data were collected from record book of the AI centers. Farmer’s group discussion and key informants interview. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version (SPSS) 20 to analysis variation of the reproductive performance traits among the study sites and scale of production. Result of the study revealed that 62% and 33.3% from urban and rural dairy production system uses AI for breeding respectively. The majority of the respondents from the rural area (56 %) reported that they use only natural mating method using local bulls. However it was also observed that only (26 %) of the urban dairy producers use natural method of breeding. The rest proportion has reported to use both method of mating. The study showed that the majority of the respondents (63.4%) were not satisfied with the existing AI service. The major identified constraints of AI service in the study area were low conception rate, Artificial insemination technician problem, heat detection, shortage of semen and liquid nitrogen, unavailability AI service, and lack of awareness creation to the farmers on AI service. Though retrospective data show that an increase in AI service, numbers of calves born are decreasing in relation to numbers of inseminated cows. However when diagnosis of pregnancy were carried out at day 90 days of post AI service of cow by rectal palpation 39.1% were conceived and 32.9% of pregnant cow were delivered calves. The overall means for AFS, AFC, CI and DO of local and crossbred cow/Heifer were estimated to be 43.07+0.86 months 52.41+0.56 months.19.86 + 0.28months,118.01 + 2.25 days for local breed cow and 25.18 + 0.75 months, 34.63 + 0.72, 14.59 + 0.36months, 116.78 + 1.61days for cross bred cow. To improve dairy cattle productivity A.I. should be used by considering, proper estrus detection method, proper time of insemination and appropriate animal selection. Thus, it is concluded that there is an urgent need for well-coordinated efforts of all concerned bodies to boost the production and productivity and thereby enhance the livelihood of the dairy farmers in the area. The skill and knowledge based training must be given for farmers and implementers for enhancement of AI to augment perception and adoption of the technology. Key words : Artificial insemination; reproductive performance DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/14-4-01 Publication date: December 30 th 2024