Lifetime Performance of Pure Jersey Dairy Cattle in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

The ability of the cows to produce and reproduce for many years is a desirable characteristic. The aim of this study was to evaluate  lifetime performance of pure Jersey dairy cattle at Adea Berga Dairy Research Center in the central highlands of Ethiopia. The General  linear model (SAS ver. 9) was used to estimate the effect of fixed factors. Overall 3015 productive and reproductive performance records  were used. The results of general linear model revealed that lactation milk yield and lactation length were significantly affected by year  and parity (P<0.001). However, calving season did not have significant influence on lactation milk (P>0.05). The overall mean herd life of  pure Jersey in the present study was 1813.76± 40.18 days (4.97 years). The least square mean of calf crop was 3 and 20 percent of the  pregnancies were lost either by abortion or still birth. The least square mean of lactation milk yield and lifetime milk yield were 2155 kg  (in 336 days lactation length) and 7216 kg, respectively. The results indicate that Jersey cows under the particular management of Adea  Berga farm produced reasonable amounts of milk and length of herd life was high. Data and results of this study can provide the basis  for improvement on farm selection of cows and young bulls for the national artificial insemination center (NAIC).