Abstract

The study was carried out in Gamo Gofa Zone Demba Gofa and Zala Districts of southern Ethiopia. The objective of the study was to undertake Gofa cattle population characterization, and to study production system as well as reproduction performance. Two locations were selected; Demba Gofa and Zala districts. A total of 167 households were randomly selected to fill the structured questionnaire and a total of 420 mature cattle were sampled randomly for characterization of phenotypic traits. Data were collected through questionnaire, field observation; direct cattle body measurements of sample cattle population and secondary source. During data collection both male and female cattle were consider. The study result revealed that the average cattle herd size was found to be 10 ± 0.44 heads per household and were significantly different (P<0.01) between the two locations. According to elder and cattle owners, Gofa cattle population trend were in increasing (60.6%) and about 33.3% of respondents were reported Gofa cattle were in decreasing trend. cattle owner keep cattle primarily for milk production in both locations. Saving is the second most important reason to keep cattle. The major types of grazing land for cattle were found to be own grazing land and communal grazing land. The most common breeding system was herd mating and natural controlled-breeding. The mean age at first mating of Gofa cattle was 3 year for male and 3.5 year for female. Mean average age at first calving (AFC) for breeding female cattle was 50.4 months. The AFS of male Demba Gofa cattle was found to be 3.8 ± 0.81 years and were significantly different (P<0.01) 3 ± 0.83 than Zala districts. The AFM for female cattle of Demba Gofa and Zala worda were significantly different at (P<0.01) 3.9 ± 0.68 and 3.1 ± 0.7 years respectively. The mean CI of Gofacow was estimated to be 13.35 ± 4.6 months, no significant difference between the two locations. Calving was takes place year round. The mean productive life time and number of calves born per female cattle productive lifespan were found to be 10.9 ± 3.6 years and significant difference at P<0.01 11.9 ± 3.5, 10.9 ± 3.6 respectively were observed between the two location. The average age of bull to castrati was calculated to be above 4 year (77.58%) and between 3-4 years (22.4%). The average length of lactation length of Gofa cow was estimated to be 9.27 ± 0.9 month and daily milk yield was 2.1 ± 0.2 liters. Average daily milk yield was estimated to be 2.1 ± 0.2 liters. Mean milk yield during first, second and third stage was estimated to be 2.19 ± 0.19, 1.5 ± 0.3, 1.05 ± 0.32 liter per day, respectively. The frequency of milking was calculated to be twice a day (97%). The coat color type of male Gofa cattle was found to be plain (70.2%), patchy (15.11%), and spotted (14.9%).coat colors of male cattle are black dominated red 10.4%, red and white 2.5%, red 24.4%, white dominated (gray) (48.75%), light red (6.25%) and fawn (3.75%). The body skin color was estimated 87.2% non-pigmented, and the remaining 12.79 was pigmented. The muzzle color was 79.06% non-pigmented and about 20.93% were pigmented. About 72.9% of Gofa male cattle were pigmented eyelid color and 27.1% were non-pigmented eyelid. The hoof color was 86.04% non-pigmented and 13.95% pigmented. 97.67% of male cattle have horned. The color of horn were 62.7% black, 37.2% brown. Hair length was 97.7% short. The female Gofa cattle population possesses 76.9% plain and 21.7% patchy coat color pattern. The dominant coat colors of female cattle are red (56.9%), and white dominated with other color 11.6%. The least body length, height at withers, heart girth, ear length, horn length, horn length, muzzle circumferences and hock circumferences of male Gofa cattle were measured to be 112.4 ± 0.9, 128.4 ± 2.8, 142 ± 2.1, 26.6 ± 2.8, 24.6 ± 2.3, 41.9 ± 1.2, 33.13 ± 0.5 and for female cattle 109.9 ± 1.5, 107.06 ± 1.4, 137 ± 1.2, 22.6 ± 2.4, 29.5 ± 1.0, 34.5 ± 0.5, 28.23 ± 0.4, respectively. Height at wither and heart girth were found to be significantly different (P<0.001) between the two locations. These may be due to best feed availability in Zala districts. In the two locations mating system is mainly natural controlled, natural uncontrolled and herd mating. The main sources of breeding bull were home male uncastrated bull or cattle were mating each other during grazing. The main criteria for breeding animal selection were its body size, coat color and physical appearance. Fertility, physical appearance and milk production, coat color, and age of female cattle were major trait preference for female cattle. The main trait preference of Gofa cattle were drought power supplementation, milk yield, coat color and breeding efficiency. Gofa cattle have moderate adaptability character to tick tolerance, heat tolerance, insect bite tolerance, and low quality feed. The major housing system of Gofa cattle were housed at night. The major animal production constraints were animal health problem or disease and, seasonal feed shortage. Trypanosomosis, Anthrax, foot and mouth, pastholosis and black leg were reported as first ranked cattle production problem cause huge cattle loss in the area.

Keywords: Trypanosomosis; Pastholosis; Lifespan; Anthrax; Muzzle