ASSESSMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF HF CROSS BRED DAIRY COWS AND ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION SERVICES EFFICIENCY UNDER SMALLHOLDER DAIRY PRODUCTION SYSTEM IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF NORTH WOLLO, ETHIOPIA

This study was conducted to assess the reproductive performance of HF cross bred dairy cows, artificial insemination service efficiency in urban and peri-urban areas of selected districts of North Wollo, Ethiopia. The study involved cross sectional survey, and retrospective study. The study was conducted at two production systems (peri-urban and urban). For this study, three woredas and six kebeles were selected purposively. A total of 198 respondents (119 from peri-urban and 79 from urban) were selected systematically random sampling from the six kebeles included in the study. he survey data was collected using a structured and semi-structured questionnaire whereas the retrospective study data were collected from the recorded book of the AITs centers covering the period from 2020 to 2022. The data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v.23) and statistical analysis system (SAS 9.4). The result showed that about 39.9% and 60.1% of urban and peri-urban beneficiaries, respectively, were literate. Mean herd size of crossbred dairy cows for urban and peri-urban households were 1.198± 4.4 and 1.501± 4.79, respectively. The major feed resources overall in the study area were grass hay(1st), Agro-industrial by product (2nd), crop residue (3rd) and improve forage (4th). The mean age at first service (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), day open (DO), Inter service interval (ISI)l, conception rate to first service (CRFS), number of service per conception (NSPC), and calving rate (CR) for urban and peri- urban dairy system were 24.51 ± 0.10, 26.94 ± 0.08, 34.10 ± 0.10, 36.94 ± 0.08, 12.12 ± 0.04, 14.21 ±0.30 months,70.27 ± 0.09, 83.14± 0.11, 24.34 ± 0.18, days, 64.79 ± 0.11, 64.33 ± 0.09 percent, 1.4 ± 0.05, 1.75 ± 0.04 numbers, and 55.5 ±0.12, 55.49 ± 0.1percent respectively. Both year and production system exerted significant (p<0.05) effect on AFS, AFC, CI, ISI, CRFS, and NSFC. Whereas year and season had significant effect (P<0.05) on CRFS and CR The overall reproductive performance of dairy cows in the current study was below the optimal level. Crossbred dairy cows in peri-urban systems had lower reproductive performance compared to urban. In the present finding the dairy farmers were able to heat detect their cows/heifers based on physical observing estrus signs namely, swollen red vulva (16.28%), mounting (15.1%), clear mucus discharge (20.81%), restlessness (15.84%), bellowing (15.84%) and loss of appetite (16.13%). time of insemination (1st), shortage of AITs (2nd), heat detection practices (3rd), Management practices (4th), lack of AIT skill (5th), farmer awareness (6th), a long distance from the center (7th), infertility (8th), shortage of AI inputs /semen and nitrogen (9th), and diseases and parasites (10th,. were the major constraints hindering AI service delivery system in the study area. therefore, concluded that the reproductive performance of crossbred dairy cows in the area should be improved through appropriate heat detection, improved feeding system, introduction of proper data recording system, improved level of husbandry, and improved capacity of AI technicians.