Belay Beyene
Survey study was conducted in Gududru and Hababo Guduru districts of Horo Guduru Wollega Zone with the objectives of assessing management system of cattle fattening, assessing the available feed resources for Cattle fattening and identifying the constraints of cattle fattening. Multistage random sampling was followed from Zone, districts, kebeles, village and individuals respondent. From each district two kebeles were selected. From each kebeles 46-49 households who have experience of cattle fattening were interviewed. Finally, One hundred ninety one (191) households that have of cattle fattening were randomly selected from both districts. The result showed 71.73% of the households attended only elementary education. From the total households, 97.91% depends on crop livestock production system. The sampled households have an average of 11.43 cattle herds. In the current study 85.86% of households collect and transport feed of fattened cattle by labor and only 14.14% use cart for feed transportation. The analyzed data depict 89.53% of the farmers fattened their animals based on their own land for feed sources. In this study the 70.68%, 13.61% and 15.71% of animals for fattening were from own herd, purchased and both from own herd and purchased, respectively. In studying the types of animals for fattening, 78.01%, 12.56% and 9.43% of the respondent have experiences of fattening Only Oxen, Oxen and cow, and oxen and bull, respectively. In the area, 72.8%, 16.7% and 11.5% of the respondent have experience of fattening 3-4 month during September-December, 5-6 Months during December – May and both season as fattening periods, respectively. In this assessment 69.01% and 30.09% of the respondent fattened their animals in stall feeding, and both stall feeding and grazing, respectively. From the total respondents, 97.9% fattened animals in separate house and only 2.1% keep with other herds. Marketing of fattened cattle, feed shortage for fattening of cattle and disease of the animals were the top ranked constraints in fattening of cattle. In conclusion organizing livestock market center; improving the veterinary service through constructing veterinary clinic; availing necessary materials for treatment and protection; Training of farmers on treating of crop residues and developing improved forage Varity were recommended.
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