Concept note on

Evaluation of efficiency of Artificial insemination at the right onset of estrus cycle

in dairy cattle and economic impacts of failure of first service insemination in the
selected districts of Arsi zone, Oromia, Ethiopia.
1. Introduction

1.1. Back ground and justification

Ethiopia is the largest livestock population in Africa, estimated to be 60.4 million cattle, 60.9
million sheep and goats, about 1.2 million camels, and 59.5 million chickens (CSA, 2018).
Agriculture mainly crop and livestock production, is the mainstay of the Ethiopian economy
employing approximately 85% of the total human population. Livestock production accounts for
approximately 35–49% of the total agricultural GDP and 16 to 17% of national foreign currency
earnings ( Fitaweke. M, et al,.2011).
According to the report of CSA, 2018), from total cattle population of the country 44.5% and
55.5% are male and females, respectively. Based on breed, 98.2%, 1.62, and 0.18 were local
breeds, cross breeds, and exotic breeds, respectively. The low genetic potential and poor
technical knowledge of dairy owners limit the incomes of dairy producers (Kumar. S, 2005)
The low productivity of the indigenous cattle and current rapid growth of human population
make it difficult to meet the protein requirements of the population ( Vishwanath R, 2003 ).Cattle
production system in Ethiopia is mainly smallholder subsistence farming, with animals having
multipurpose use, and such that no specialized and systematic breeding is used . (Giday. E,
2001). Artificial insemination has been considered as a promising tool to improve genetic
potential of dairy animals; yet, many farmers at field conditions are unaware of the technology
with huge regional variations in terms of knowledge level and adoption of this promising
technology (Foote .R. H., 2002).
Ethiopia uses AI service to improve productive efficiency over the last 30 years and increase the
economic gain from the dairy sector (IAEA, 2007). However the efficiency of the AI service in
the country is of very low level due to infrastructure, managerial, and financial constraints as
well as poor heat detection and improper timing of insemination (Shiferaw. Y.et al., 2003). Cattle
breeding is mostly uncontrolled in Ethiopia making genetic improvement difficult and
appropriate bull selection criteria have not yet been established, applied, and controlled.
Although artificial insemination, the most commonly used and valuable biotechnology. (Webb.
D.W., 2003], has been in operation in Ethiopia for over 30 years, the service is still weak and
even declining and the efficiency is also low ( Dekeba .A.,et al, 2006) Reproductive problems
related to crossbreed dairy cows under farmers’ conditions are immense (Bekele.T, 2005).
In Ethiopia almost all data used to evaluate breeding works so far are from government ranches
or research stations. Besides, there were few field studies made to evaluate efficiency of artificial
insemination (AI) service (Abate. H., 2008). Nevertheless, they are not representative of the
farming condition in the country (Haile Mariam, M., 1994). Thus, since information collected
from ranches and on stations are from controlled environment, it is difficult to figure out
problems and enhance possible solutions on AI service efficiency and constraints of AI service at
farmers level. On the other hand, artificial insemination services and its constraints are highly
influenced by environmental factors, which call for studies under farmer management. It is
widely believed that the AI service in the country has not been successful to improve
reproductive performance of dairy industry. (Sinishaw. T.W., 2005), the problem is more
aggravated by lack of recording system, estrous detection problems, wrong selection procedures,
and poor management of AI bulls and skills of inseminators (Gebremedhin. T.D., 2010). The
efficiency, risk factors of AI in dairy cows, and economic impact of failure of first service AI
have not been well documented in the selected districts of Arsi zone.
Therefore, this study has been conducted with the following objectives
1.2. Objectives
 To evaluate the efficiency of AI service and economic impact of failure of first service
insemination in the study area.
 To identify risk factors that influence the efficiency of AI in the area
 To provide information on the performance of AI delivery system in terms of the number
of inseminations, service per conception, conception rate and calving rates that makes me
to come up with relevant and workable recommendations that will call upon decision
makers and stakeholders to give the utmost attention to the AI service
1.3. Statement of the problem.
To fill the gap between demand and supply, improving the productivity of dairy cattle through
genetic improvement is of paramount importance. As proven in many countries, an effective and
efficient strategy to improve dairy cattle productivity is to breed dairy cows using proven semen
via Artificial Insemination (AI).
Though it is now close to seven decades since crossbreeding activities started in Ethiopia, the
proportion of both hybrid and exotic breeds is not greater than 2% out of 60.4 million cattle
population (CSA, 2018). This indicates a crossbreeding program that has been implemented in
the country over the last several decades through the application of AI technology is quite
ineffective (Nuraddis et al., 2014). This can mainly be justified by the availability of an
insignificant proportion of crossbred cattle population. One major factor contributing to such
inefficiency is the very low conception rate and the accompanied high age at first calving ranged
between 34 months (Hunde et al., 2015) and 44 months (Effa et al., 2006).
1.4. Significance of the study
The first step is to improve the performance of AI delivery system in terms of the number of
inseminations, service per conception, conception rate and calving rates by providing outstanding
AI delivery system in the study area. In addition we must minimize the economic impact of
failure of first AI service. Because AI is predominantly provided by the government with a
highly subsidized price (less than 10 birr or 0.4 USD) from the public side. But know a days the
price of AI service per service increases to 25 birr so it needs greater attention.
1.5. Research questions
 What are the socio-economic effects of failure of first service insemination in the
study area?
 What are the effect of heat detection on conception rate of dairy cattle in the study
area?
 What happened to the small dairy farmers when the number of service
preconception increases?

2. Materials and Methods

 2.1. Study Design
A cross-sectional study will be conducted to evaluate the risk factors of efficiency of AI service
through regular visit of selected dairy cattle breeder and AI technician in selected districts of Arsi
zone, Oromia region. All the study areas (districts) will be purposively selected because it is
believed that these areas are the ones where an AI service is widely practiced and during the
study period, special attention will be given to the AI service activities in the study areas.
2.2. The Study Population
The study populations will include artificially inseminated cows kept under both extensive and
intensive production system in selected districts. The study population will also represented by
small holder dairy owners who will be benefited from artificial insemination service In addition,
retrospective data obtained from recording book was used to see the relation between the number
of dairy cows inseminated and number of calves born

2.3. Method of Data Collection and Sample Size.

Structured questioner survey will be prepared and administered directly to the owner of the dairy
cows. During the interview, the respondents included in the study will be briefed about the
objective of the study before presenting the actual questions. The questioners include address of
owner, breed of animal, parity and body condition score, time of insemination, inseminators,
management factors, and reproductive health problems. In addition to the questionnaire
interview, field follow-up of inseminated cows will be conducted to determine the efficiency of
AI. Pregnancy diagnoses by rectal palpation will be done after two months according to Robert,
2000) and (Arthur 2001). The time of insemination starting from observation of estrus signs
(standing to be mounted, mounting other cows, swelling and reddening of the vulva, bellowing,
restlessness, and trailing) will be classified into three including those inseminated within 6,
between 6 and 11, and after 11 hours. The cows will be observed frequently for estrus signs by
the keepers and the keepers call the inseminators. The inseminators those involved in AI practice
will be considered based on their year of experience.

2.4. Sample Size Determination

The sample size was determined by the availability of artificially inseminated cows in the study
districts. A total of 180 inseminated cows and heifers done by three inseminators will be included
in the study area with 60 dairy cows from each selected three districts that will be selected
purposively from dairy cows in the study area. The pregnancy rate will be estimated by dividing
the conceived cows by the cows that will be inseminated.
The required sample size will be estimated by considering 50% prevalence. Thus, the sample size
will be calculated according to Thrusfield (2005) using 95% confidence interval and 5% absolute
precision.
This is calculated by using the following formula:

Where,
n = required sample size Pexp = Expected prevalence d2 = Desired absolute precision (5% )

2.5. Data Analysis

All data will be entered into Microsoft Excel spread sheet 2010. For coding and analyzing the
data Statistical Analysis System (SAS - Version 9) (SAS, 2004) will be used based on the type of
variable. Descriptive statistics will be used to describe the pregnancy rate and economic impact
of failure of first service AI. Chi-square and multiple logistic regressions will be used to check
for any association between different risk factors and pregnancy rate. In all the analyses,
confidence level will be held at 95% and P value less than 0.05 will be considered as significant.
For quantitative data, the General Linear Model (GLM) of the SAS will be used and means
within the same category will be separated using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) for
those F tests that declared significance (P<0.05).

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Regards:-
Mohammednur Aman:- post graduate students MSc in Animal Breeding and Genetics
Jimma University, Ethiopia