Comparative milk production and prevalence study of parasites and sub clinical mastitis on indigenous lactating cows under different feeding regimes in central highlands of Ethiopia

Abstract

Comparative study on prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites, ticks and subclinical mastitis as well as milk yield was conducted on local zebu lactating dairy cows exposed to different feeding regimes in dry seasons at Sululta and Mukaturi districts of North Shewa zone, central Ethiopia. A total of 15 households at each district having at least two lactating local zebu dairy cows were selected; 15 cows of one group at each district were maintained as farmers own feeding practice (control diet, T0), and the others 15 at each district were supplemented (intervention diet, T1). Prior to the experiment, all animals were checked for any gastrointestinal parasite infection, tick infestation and mastitis, through clinical and laboratory diagnosis. All animals with positive results were effectively treated and rechecked before the commencement of the study and those with negative results were followed until the end. The study showed that there was no statistical significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence rate of gastrointestinal parasites, external parasites (ticks) and sub clinical mastitis among the treatment and control groups at each district and among districts where the overall prevalence rate was (63.3%, 60% and 33.3%, respectively) for Sululta district and (80%, 56.7% and 40% respectively) for Mukaturi district. The prevalence rate of gastrointestinal parasites, external parasites (ticks) and sub clinical mastitis were 60%, 46.7% and 33.3%, respectively for the treatment group and 66.7%, 73.3% and 33.3%, respectively for the control group at Sululta district, while prevalence of 87.5%, 56.3% and 43.8%, respectively for the treatment group and 71.4%, 57.1% and 35.7%, respectively for the control was observed at Mukaturi district. Also, no statistical significant difference
(p>0.05) was found in the mean EPG value among the two districts. The main tick genera encountered were Boophilus, Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus and a mixed infestation by two or more than two of these ticks in both districts. Furthermore, the possible observational limiting factors encountered in the study were those related with general management and lack in utilization of different disease prevention and control options. The study also showed that cows maintained on the intervention diet at both districts produced considerably higher (P<0.05) milk per day compared to those cows which were receiving the control diet. Moreover the financial returns in terms of net profits gained per cow per day were observed to be higher for experimental cows receiving the intervention diets at both districts

Keywords: dairy cattle, feeding, season, mastitis, prevalence, parasites, milk
yield