2.

DAIRY CATTLE PRODUCTION

2.1. Origin, Domestication, Population and Distribution of Dairy cattle
All domestic cattle of the world are included under a family name called Bovidae. Cattle are
classified into two groups as Bos taurus and Bos indicus. The word “Bos” is a Latin word for
cattle. Both groups of cattle are thought to be originated from the now extinct wild cattle species
called Bos primigenius and Bojanus. The Bos taurus includes all cattle without hump breeds and
the Bos indicus includes all humped cattle breeds. In tropical countries including Ethiopia, Bos
indicus cattle are common.

Dairy Cow/cattle: Refers to cows used to give milk production. The total cattle population in
Ethiopia is estimated to be about 70 million. Out of this total cattle population, the female cattle
constitute about 56 percent while dairy-cows are estimated to be around 7.56 million.

2.2. Breeds of Dairy Cattle

2.2.1. Exotic Dairy Cattle Breeds

The temperate cattle breeds are well appreciated for their high milk production and reproductive
performances. For instance, European breeds can easily produce over 3000 liter of milk per cow
per year with the existing tropical feed resources provided that the climatic stress in not sever
and improved management is practiced. Some of the temperate dairy cattle breeds are Jersey,
Holestien-Friesian, Brown Swiss, Guernsey, and Ayrshire. These temperate cattle breeds have
been introduced to the tropics to upgrade the genetic make-up of the indigenous cattle breeds. Of
the European breeds the Jersey is generally accepted as the most heat tolerant in the humid, low-
altitude tropics. However, Friesians usually out yield the others in total milk yield. While Jerseys
equal Friesians for yield on the basis of equal body weight, Friesian teat size is often preferred by
farmers for various justifiable reasons like suitability for hand and machine milking. Friesians
also have good beef-producing properties. Brown Swiss cattle have been used widely as a milk

and meat breed in Latin America, but they do not have the same potential as the Friesian breed.
Some of the temperate dairy cattle breeds which are called exotic are:
 1. Holstein Frisian (HF)
Black and white dairy cattle originated in
the Netherlands
They are the top milk producing breed in the
world.
does not withstand hot weather

2.Jersey
 The most common color is fawn with black shadings
below and on the head.
 Is the smallest breed and produces the least amount
of milk
 they are prized for their very high butter fat content.
 withstand high temperature.

3. Guernsey
 Oreginated from Island of Guernsey, Europe
 The Guernsey milk is very popular for premium/
best/ market milk and this breed is gaining
popularity in market milk areas
 4.Brown Swiss
 Native to Switzerland and the oldest breeds in
existence
 The most desirable attribute of this breed is their
high percent of protein in milk. This is prized in
cheese making.
 For production of veal they rank high, as the
calves are large at birth and grow rapidly.

5. Ayrshires
The country of their origin is Ayrshire, Scotland, in
Europe.
One of the strong points of Ayrshires is their
excellent quality in grazing
The breed ranks high in beef production for a dairy
breed.
The milk is well adapted for cheese making due to

2.2.2. Major Ethiopian dairy Cattle Breeds and their Characteristics

Ethiopia is endowed with huge livestock resources with diversified species and breeds of
animals. The diversified agro-ecological natures of the country enable to host many breeds of
cattle. Even though adequate data is not available on cattle genetic resources at national level but
it is obvious that there are many breeds of cattle in the country. Amongst the indigenous cattle
breeds are Arsi, Begayit, Arado, Horro, Fogera, Sheko and Abergelle. Here below is tried to
describe each breed with its main characteristics.

1. Borana Breed

The Boran cattle breed is found in Southern Ethiopia especially Oromia and Somalie regions.
There are two distinctive Boran groups; Ethiopian Boran and Kenyan Boran. The Kenyan Boran
is the improved one and the Somali Boran is almost similar with that of Ethiopian Boran. The
breed is good free ranging grazing animal. The true function of the breed is meat production and
traditionally exploited for their milk and meat. The improved forms found in modern operations
have been exploited in ranching for their meat but also for milk in intensive situations. The
Ethiopian Boran is fairly large, long legged with good conformation and is considered to be the
best well adapted cattle breeds in the East Africa. The body color of the breed is mainly white,
fawn or brown with darker shading around the head, neck and shoulder. The Somali Boran are
usually shorter legged than the Ethiopian breed. The live body weight of female Boran cattle is
estimated to be 346 – 417 kg and for male 539 – 653 kg and with carcass percentage of 60 %.
Average annual milk yield is 1673 kg/lactation and 3.6 lit/day with lactation period is about 295
days. The use of Boran for draught has not been assessed. See fig below.

2. Ogaden Breed

They are found in jijiga lowlands which are north of ogaden, Harege. They are meat potential
breeds. They adapt low land areas. Most of them are polled but some have short and thick horns.
Similar to Boran with well developed hump and large dewlap; horns are short; mainly used for
milk, but are also good beef animals. See fig below.
3. Barka Breed

The homeland of the Barka cattle breed is North Western Ethiopia and Western Eritrea. They are
found widely distributed in North West Tigray around Humera, Kafta, Badime and Sheraro.
They are also called Begait (Synonyms). They are well known for their milk potential that more
than any breed in Ethiopia. With regard to their body conformation they have long leg and rage
body size with a medium size horn. Their body color is commonly white and black. The breed
has some morphological resemblance with that of Boran carrel. The live body weight for females
is about 280 kg and male 380 kg. Milk yield is about 6 lit/day under extensive management
system and it is about 15 l/day under good/intensive management. See fig below.
 4. Horro breed

The habitat of this breed is Western Ethiopia (Wellega, Jimma, Elibabur and West Shewa). They
are considered as dual purpose animals in their function just proving milk, meat and draught
power. The dominant body color of the animal is brown and sometimes slightly lighter on the
flanks and between the hind legs. Male Horro cattle are darker in color than females. They have
small to medium hump and medium to long horns. They are considered as beef type animal but
offer less milk amount estimating to be about 561 liter per lactation. The lactation period is very
short about 177 days. Horros are well appreciated by people for their docile behavior. See fig
below.

5. Fogera Breed

The center of distribution for this breed is Northwest Ethiopia (Gojam and Gonder) around lake
Tana. This is classified as intermediate Zebu-Sanga breeds. They are considered as dual purpose
animal providing milk, meat and draught power. As per the IAR (Institute of Agricultural
Research) report Fogera cattle can produce about 915 liter of milk per lactation. They are large
deep chested animals with short hump and shorn and a large dewlap. The breed has
morphological resemblance with Arado cattle breed. Fogera cattle have body color of white with
black spots or patches and black muzzle and hooves; bulls may be much darker. Like that of
Horro cattle, they are appreciated for their docile behavior. See fig below.

6. Arsi

These cattle breed found widely distributed in the central highlands of Ethiopia (Arsi, Bale and
Shewa). The breed is assumed to be developed from the short horned Abyssinian Zebus.
Phenotypically they are small, compact with short horn. They have morphologically resemblance
with Arado Breed. They are well appreciated by smallholder farmers for their good foraging
ability and hardiness at work (ploughing etc). They are poor producers of milk and meat. But
their meat is preferred for its good tenderness and marbling. Red is the dominant body color for
the breed. See fig below.
 7. Smada Breeds
They distributed in the highlands of southern Gondar (Gayint, Smada). These indigenous breeds
are mainly used for draught purpose. Although, their milk yield is quite low farmers use them for
milk production. See fig below.

8. Raya/Danakil/Adal/Afar) breeds

The homeland of these indigenous cattle breeds is in North East Ethiopia, South Eritrea and
Northern Djibuoti. In Ethiopia they are found widely distributed in southern Tigray, North Wollo
and western Afar. They are long legged with large body size. They are usually distinguished with
their long and lyre shaped horns. The body colour is ash-grey, cream or brown. Milk production
is estimated at 200 to 300 liter/lactation and the lactation period is 160 to 225 days. They are
body weight ranges 250 – 375 kg. They are usually produced for meat production and draught
power purpose. See fig below.

9. Arado Breed

The Arado breed is found widely distributed in Northern Ethiopia. They are well adapted to the
highland conditions. They are commonly used for draught purpose and a limited for meat. With
respect their morphology, they are short, small and compact in their body size. The small size
and compact nature of the breed enable it to freely graze in the mountainous and ragged
topography of the highlands. They do have large horns and small hump. Hump size is relatively
large in male than that of female. Body colour is dominantly red and some are brown to black.
Arado cow provides low milk yield (2 – 3 lt/day) and average of 1 lt/day under extensive
management but with improved management practices it could be enhanced to 5 – 6 liter/day.
The meat production is low in both quantity and quality. The breed is well accredited for its
foraging ability, hardiness and docile nature. See fig below.
 10. Sheko Breed
The Sheko cattle breed is inhabited in south western Ethiopia especially in Beneshangul-Gumuz
and Gambella regions. They are found in the border of Sudan in isolated mountains of the
Gambela region. Morphologically, they are small size with no hump. Body color is usually
brown or black and white. Functionally they are kept for milk production. They well noted for
their trypanosomiasis disease tolerance in the westerner lowlands. Currently they are found
decreasing in their number for various reasons. See fig below.
2.3. Dairy Production Systems in Ethiopia

In the highland areas agricultural production system is predominantly smallholder mixed

farming, with crop and livestock husbandry typically practiced with in same management unit. In
this farming system all the feed requirement is derived from native pasture and a balance comes
from crop residues and sub grazing (Tedla et al, 1989). The main source of milk production in
Ethiopia is from cow but small quantities of milk are also obtained from goat and camel in some
regions particularly in pastoral areas. There are four major systems of milk productions in
Ethiopia. These are pastoralism, the high land small holder, urban and peri-urban and intensive
dairy farming. The production system in the country, in respect to marketing situations, can be
broadly categorized in the Urban, Peri-urban and rural milk production system.

2.3.1. Pastoralism
Pastoralism is the major system of milk production in the low land. However, because of the
rainfall pattern and related reasons shortage of feed availability milk production is low and
highly seasonally dependent. Paternalists typically rely on milk for food and also use animals to
store and generate wealth. Animals are consequently important in social value systems. Pastoral
social systems commonly emphasize decentralized leadership that promotes flexibility in
resource use.

2.3.2. The Highland Smallholder Milk Production

The Ethiopian highlands possess a high potential for dairy development. These areas occupy the
central part of the Ethiopia. In the highland areas agricultural production system is
predominantly substance smallholder mixed farming, with crop and livestock husbandry
typically practiced within the same management unit. In this farming system all the feed
requirement is derived from native pasture and a balance comes from crop residues and stub
grazing. The majority of milking cows are indigenous animals which have low production
performance with the average age at first calving is 53 months and average calving intervals is
25 months. Cows had three to four calves before leaving the herd at 11-13 years of age, the
average cow lactation yield is 524 liters for 239 days of which 238 liters is off take for human
use while 286 liters is suckled by the calf. But also a very small number of crossbred animals are
milked to provide the family with fresh milk butter and cheese. Surpluses are sold, usually by
women, who use the regular cash income to buy household necessities or to save for festival
occasions.

2.3.3. Urban and Peri-urban Milk Production

This system is developed in and around major cities and towns which have a high demand for
milk. In this system the main feed sources are agro-industrial by products. In this system milk is
as a means of additional cash income. Most of the improved dairy stock in Ethiopia is used for
this type of production. Total milk production from these dairy farmers amounts to 34.649
million liters/annum. Of this total, 73% is sold, 10% is left for household consumption, 9.4%
goes to calves and 7.6% is processed, mainly into butter and ayib. The producers deliver milk to
consumers or consumers may collect it at the producer's gate.

2.3.4. Commercial Dairy Farming

This is a more specialized dairy farming practiced by state sector and very few individuals on
commercial basis. These are concentrated in and around Addis Ababa and are basically based on
exotic purebred stock.

2.4. Dairy Cattle Feeds and Feeding

2.41. Dairy Cattle Feeds

The major feed resources that commonly used for cattle are natural pastures, crop residues, hay,
browse plants, green grasses and weeds. The contribution and availability of these various feed
resource bases vary with season and location. Crop residues and browse plants are fed to animals
during dry seasons while green grasses and weeds are fed during rainy seasons. Feed resources
could be categorized into two as roughage and concentrate based on the quality or feeding level.
Roughage feeds: Concentrate feeds
 are feeds that are high in fiber and low  are feeds that are low in fibre and high
in TDN in TDN
 contain above 18% CF when dry  contain below 18% CF when dry
These feeds include:
These feeds include, different green
a. Grain feeds and their by-product
grasses, hay, etc.
(corn, oats, barley, grain sorghum,
 wheat etc.)
b. By-product feeds (wheat bran, rice
bran, molasses, brewer’s grain, , etc.
c. Supplement feeds (include protein
feeds, minerals and vitamins

2.4.2. Dairy Cattle Feeding

The level at which each nutrient is required by an animal depend on whether the animal is being
fed for:

Maintenance: is the amount of feed that must be fed to keep an animal at a particular weight
without any significant change in body composition
Requirements for production: are met after maintenance requirement. It is the amount of feed
needed for growth or milk production
Requirements for reproduction: it is very important in a cow-calf operation for the cow to
conceive and produce a healthy fetus and calf

Thus, lactating dairy cattle are producing milk they require greater feed/nutrient than any other
production state. Nutrient requirements for lactation are based on the amount and the
composition of the milk. Animals that produce more milk, and milk with more fat and protein,
will have higher nutrient requirements.

2.5. Reproduction in Dairy Cattle

Here you will deal with the reproductive management of dairy cattle. Knowing the nature of
reproductive characteristics is quite important in dairy industry. The reproductive parameters
include ovulation, fertilization, gestation/pregnancy, parturition/calving, calving interval, estrous
cycle, estrus etc. Here below the definition of each term is given briefly.

Ovulation: the process of releasing ovum/egg from the ovary. Ovary is a female reproductive
organ where ovum/egg is produced. Usually one ovum/egg is produced per estrous cycle but
sometimes two or three ova/eggs are produced. The mature egg can only survive/stay in the
oviduct for few hours usually 4 – 6 hours. Fertilization should be taken place within this time for
cows unless the egg is released down to the uterus.

Fertilization: the process of merging the genetic materials of both gametes (ova and sperm) to
formulate zygote. During mating/ejaculation millions of sperm cells are inserted to the female
organs and pass through vagina and cervix. Most of the sperm cells are died for various reasons
and only few reach to the oviduct where fertilization is taken place.

Gestation: refers to the time between conception and birth of calf. It is also referred as
pregnancy for human. Different animals do have different gestation periods. For a cow it
normally ranges between 260 – 270 days with an average of 270 days (9 months).

Parturition: is the process of delivering calf by female animal (cow). It is also called calving.
During parturition special attention and management is need to be given to the cow

Calving interval: refers to the period between two consecutive calving. Different animal species
have different calving interval. There is also variation amongst the cattle breeds.

Estrous cycle: it refers to the time between two consecutive estrus/heat. It is about 21 days in
cow. It has four phases like proestrus, estrus, metaestrus and diestrus.

Estrus: refers to the time when the female/cow is ready for mating/breeding. It is one phase of
the estrous cycle.

2.6. Dairy and Dairy product Marketing

Fresh-milk marketing in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, fresh milk is distributed through the informal and formal marketing systems. The
informal market involves direct delivery of fresh milk by producers to consumers in the
immediate neigh bourhood and sales to itinerant traders or individuals in nearby towns. Milk is
transported to towns on foot, by donkey, by horse or by public transport, and commands a higher
price there than when sold in the neighbourhood, to cover transport costs. The formal milk
marketing system is dominated by the government-controlled Dairy Development Enterprise
(DDE) which functions as a milk collector, processor and distributor.
Production and marketing of other dairy products
Sour milk or yoghurt (ergo in Amnaric) is produced by leaving fresh milk to sour for a few
days. Soured milk stays longer than raw milk, so this process is useful for storing milk during
those days (Wednesdays and Fridays) when Coptic Christians are forbidden to consume animal
products. Sour milk not consumed at home is usually sold to neighbours. Sour milk can also be
churned to make butter. The byproduct, buttermilk, is rarely sold; it is usually fed to calves,
consumed at home or further processed by heating to about 40CC to precipitate the curd.
Curd: it is a white, grainy-textured cottage cheese (called ayib in Amharic) with an acid taste.
Ayib is produced in the rural areas and sold in rural markets or nearby towns, but some is also
transported with butter to urban and sold to individual consumers and itinerant traders.
Hard cheese: manufactured by Dairy Development Enterprise (DDE) and sold to supermarkets
and government institutions.
Butter: In the rural markets, butter prices fluctuate according to season, inflation effects,
urbanization and income increasing in the country. In Addis Ababa, the butter trade is handled
mostly by butter merchants. Retail prices vary depending on quality and market demand, which
is high at Easter and during other feasts and low during the fasting periods. Two types of butter
are manufactured and marketed through different sales outlets.
 Cooking butter is made on the farm by women and sold mainly to itinerant traders or in
local town markets, although some may be transported to urban centers and sold to
individual consumers, butter merchants or wholesalers.
 Table butter is made from the purest milk procured straight from the farms. Produced by
dairy product processing industry. It is sold in grocery stores and supermarkets.
 Fig 1. Market channel of dairy and its products

2.7. Management of Dairy Cattle

A well established and managed dairy farming enterprise can be a highly profitable. When
starting a dairy farm, the following issues are important to be considered for good management
of dairy cattle:

Feeds of dairy cattle

Before embarking on a dairy farming enterprise, it is important to find out the type of feeds
available affordably in your area. The feeds may be roughage or concentrate feeds.

Feeding dairy cattle

Productivity of dairy animals is to a large extent dependent on how well it is fed. Dairy animals
are highly sensitive to changes in feeding regimes, and production can fall dramatically with
small variations on a day-to-day basis. A good farmer should set a good feeding schedule and as
much as possible adhere to it. Feeding can be affected by cyclical weather effects on availability
and quality of forages and even quality of concentrates or additives varying with manufacturer.
Nutrient requirements vary with the stage of lactation and gestation.
 Early lactation period is the period from 0 to 70 days after calving. Milk production
increases rapidly during this period, peaking at 6 to 8 weeks after calving. Increasing
concentrates by about 0.5 kg per day after calving will increase nutrient intake while
minimizing off-feed problems, e.g. lack of appetite and acidosis (rumen acids increase
which stops normal function and digestion). Feed intake can be increased and rumination
stimulated by chopping the forage to small pieces. Chopped forages are better consumed
so that cows increase milk production, and also reduce forage wastage.
 Peak period is between 70 to 140 days after calving. Cows should be maintained at peak
production as long as possible. Forage quality should be high with intakes of at least 1.5
percent of the cow's body weight (Dry Matter basis) per day to maintain rumen function
and normal fat test.
 Mid- and late lactation period is 140 to 305 days after calving. This phase will be the
easiest to manage in a dairy cattle cycle. During this phase milk production is declining,
 the cow is incalf (pregnant), and nutrient intake will easily meet or exceed requirements.
Concentrate feeding should be at a level to meet milk production requirements and begin
to replace body weight lost during early lactation.
 Dry period (when milk production stops) commences and ends 60 to 14 days before
calving. A most important requirement in this period is to meet calcium and phosphorus
needs, but avoiding excesses. Calcium intakes of 60 to 80 grams and phosphorus intakes
of 30 to 40 grams are sufficient for most cows. Dry cow feeding should not have above
0.6 % calcium and 0.4 % phosphorus (dry matter basis), as this can substantially increase
milk fever problems. Adequate amounts of vitamin A, D, and E should be provided in
rations to improve calf survival, reduce placenta retention and milk fever problems (see
cow diseases and disorders below). Trace minerals, including selenium should be
adequately supplemented in dry cow diets from livestock salts and feed additives. The
transition or close-up period is 14 days before calving.

2.8. Constraints of Dairy Production

 The major constraints of dairy cattle production are:

Genotype/breed: The indigenous local cattle are evolved largely through natural selection and
they are poor milk yielders as selected to perform better under tropical harsh environments.
Feed supply and feeding management: For the farmers, inability to feed animals adequately
throughout the year is the most widespread technical constraint.
Animal disease: Disease sharply reduces the productivity of livestock in all agro- ecological
zones and production system in Ethiopia. Disease like mastitis, brucellosis, trypanosomiasis,
thelioriosis, Anthrax, Blue Tongue, Foot and Mouth, pasturolosis and etc. are among the major
disease of dairy cattle worth mentioning.
Inadequate infrastructure: With regard to infrastructure, Ethiopia has one of the poorest
transportation networks in the world. The best example is trekking cattle to long distance, the
absence of stock routes, resting areas, watering and feed points that result in substantial weight
loses before the cattle reach target destinations. Absence/inadequate road facilities and
transportation facilities also created problem to produce more milk and market fresh milk.
Farming systems and animal management: Poor farming system and animal management are
other factors for low dairy production in Ethiopia.