Sale Alebachew, Chekol, Dehinenet Gezie Wolde Mikael and Zemenu Yayeh Zewudie
Dairy farming is one of the livestock sub sectors that can provide income and employment for the economic sustainability of smallholder farmers (FAO, 2010).Hulet Eju Enesie district is one of the 18 districts in East Gojjam Zone of Amhara National Regional State which is conducive for livestock as well as dairy cattle production and other agricultural activities because of relatively enough feed resources if utilized properly and suitable environment. Because of this, milk production is widely practiced in the district (HEEDAFDO, 2016). However, there is no a previous research conducted to assess dairy cattle husbandry practices in the district. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess dairy cattle husbandry practices in Hulet Eju Enesie district East Gojjam Zone Ethiopia. A multi stage sampling procedures was used to select study PAs and Systematic random sampling was used to select 247 respondents for the interview. Data were collected using a pretested semi structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi square test, and analysis of variance by SPSS version 20 Software. The average herd size of cattle was 6.42±0.15 head per household and it is significantly varied (P<0.05) among the study areas with the highest herd size 7.73±0.25 head per HH in mid altitude, respectively. The major feed resources were crop residues and grazing land and the main sources of water were river and pipe water. The majority (79.8%) of respondents used natural mating using indigenous bull but 56% of respondents in Motta town used AI services. Anthrax and black leg were the most prevalent disease in the study area. In general, the feeding practice was not adequate for better productivity and the breeding system was mostly natural mating using local bull. In addition, low awareness of the dairy farmers also the main problem especially in proper calf management. Therefore, the husbandry practices should be improved by improving the awareness of the dairy farmers through provision of appropriate extension and training services.
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