Chapter 2

Cattel production and Management

Origin and Domestication of Cattel

• Cattle /cow(female) and bull(male) /are the most common type

of large domesticated farm animals.

• They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae are

the most widespread species of the genus Bos and are most
commonly classified collectively as Bos taurus.
• Cattle were originally identified as three separate species: Bos taurus,
the European or "taurine" cattle (including similar types from
Africa and Asia); Bos indicus, the Indicine or "zebu"; and the
extinct Bos primigenius, the aurochs. The aurochs is ancestral to both
zebu and taurine cattle.

• Cattle, domesticated bovine farm animals that are raised for

their meat, milk, or hides or for draft purposes.
Terminologies
• Beef cattle are cattle raised for meat production (as distinguished
from dairy cattle, used for milk production). The meat of adult cattle
is known as beef

• Beef is the cookery name for meat from bovines, especially cattle.
Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers.
• Dairy - is a place /building where milk is kept and milk products are
made and it is also used to describe a shop/place where milk and milk
products are sold.
• Dairying /dairy farming: The term dairying can be defined as an
art, science and business dealing with milk and milk related products,
produced from different animals; whereas dairy farm: is a farm that
produces milk and milk products.
• Type: is an ideal or standard of perfection combing all the
characteristics that contribute to animals use fullness for a specific
purpose
• Dairy type: Cattle of this type are usually not large, and are of
somewhat lean build or are characterized by a lean, angular form and
a well-developed mammary system.
• Dairy cattle: are those breeds that have been developed primarily to
produce milk. Specialist dairy cattle are characteristically lean, fairly
fine-boned animals with substantial udders. They need to be capable of
breeding regularly, have udders that are not too pendulous, and have
strong feet to withstand walking to and from the milking parlour,
sometimes on rough roads.
• A feedlot or feed yard is a type of animal feeding operation (AFO)
which is used in factory farming for finishing livestock,
notably beef cattle.
• Herd : a group of animals
• Production: the process of growing or making food, goods or
materials. Used to express large quantities
• Product: a thing that is produced or grown
• Management: the act of controlling or running a business.
Cattel Breeds

• A breed can be defined as a group of domestic livestock having

definable and easily identifiable external characteristics that distinguish
it visually from other similar groups within the same species.
• Species -refers to animals that can breed among themselves and
produce fertile offspring.
• There are two major categories of domestic cattle viz.
• Bostaurus (Exotic cattle) and
• Bosindicus (Indigenous cattle).
Dairy Cattle Breeds
Temperate/Exotic Dairy Breeds
• Holstein-Friesian – Holland and Adjacent areas
• Brown Swiss -Switzerland
• Ayrshire - Scotland
• Guernsey
Channel Islands of cost of England
• Jersey
• Major distinctive Character b/n the breeds –Size, Color,
Volume of milk
 Distinctive Feature of Exotic Dairy breeds
Breeds of Body Size color Milk volume Fat content(%)
Animal

HF Largest(675kg) Black and white ,red 7890 kg 3.61%

and white

Brown Swiss 2nd rank Light greyish-brown to 2nd rank 3rd rank
dark brown

Ayrshire 3rd rank Red, brown,or 3rd rank 4th rank

mahogany with white

Guernsey 4th rank Fawn with white 4th rank 2nd rank
marking and yellow
skin
Jersey Smallest(450 kg) Vary from light grey to 5th rank Highest
very dark fawn solid in concentration(5%)
color with white spots
dairy cattle breeds

HOLSTIEIN FRIESIAN
Ayrshire

AYRSHIRE
JERSEY
Tropical(Local) Dairy Breeds
• Most of the cattle breed in the tropics evolved, through natural
selection, for adaptability and survival to local environments.
• Often, breeds resemble each other with slight morphological
differences but because of constant inbreeding in one locality,
independent breeds have evolved.
• In Ethiopia the cattle breeds are not characterized to any specific
function instead indigenous cattle breeds are used as multi-purpose
(milk, meat and animal power).

• some of the identified local breeds are Boran,Horro, Arsi, Fogera,

Begait, Kereyu, etc.
• There are 28 indigenous breeds/types of cattle that have been
recognized to exist in Ethiopia(EBI, 2016).
• These are grouped in to five major cattle types,
• large East African Zebu
• Small East African Zebu
• Sanga
• Zenga
• Tourine types
• That are distributed to be found in all agroecological zones depending
on their merit to a particular production system from arid tropical to
afro alpine ecosystems.
• However, the genetic distinctiveness among most Ethiopian local
cattle breeds, are largely unknown and unidentified.
• The purity of indigenous cattle breeds is under threat due to
crossbreeding, inbreeding, lack of institutional capacities and policies
which support the use of imported breeds for crossbreeding
purposes.
Summarized Breed name, distribution, breed group, population status
and purposes of keeping cattle(EBI, 2016)
Purpose of keeping Phenotypic and Improvement and
Current population
Breed name Distribution and measurable genetic conservation
status
traits characteristic activity

Tolerant to heat, disease

Drought power, Meat
and parasite, ability to cope
Tigray and adjacent and Milk, Adult male
Abergelle feed shortage, female long
districts of Amhara region 234±13kg, 153±15kg conventionally practiced
thin horn, male short thick unknown
Cattle of North Ethiopia and1-1.5lts of milk by farmers
horn, Small hump, dewlap,
Zenga type yield per day with 150
naval flaps, Black and mix of
days lactation length.
black with White color

Relatively resists flies and

Work, Meat and milk
Maintained by the Anuak ticks light in shade, white unknown but
purpose, conventionally practiced
Anuak Cattle people of Gambela, Sanga
155kg, daily milk
with red or black patches Limited by
by farmers
type coat color, 24 - 30cm long trypanosomiasis
yield of 3-5 liter
and 20cm depth dewlap

Central zone of Tigrai Dual purpose mainly higher altitude, red,

conventionally practiced
Adwa Cattle region, small East for draught, meat and chestnut, black, roan and Unknown
by farmers
African Zebu type, milk white Coat colour
 Purpose of keeping Phenotypic and Improvement and
Current population
Breed name Distribution and measurable genetic conservation
status
traits characteristic activity

resistant and adapted to

average daily milk
the harsh conditions,
yield 4±1 lts with Increases population
Maintained by Afar people Large and slender body,
271±22 days of due to vaccination conventionally practiced
Afar Cattle in eastern and north
lactation length ,
small humps and
regardless of by farmers
Ethiopia(Tigrai and Wollo) moderate dewlap, Ash-
ranges from 250-375 recurrent drought
grey, white smooth, red
kg
and shiny coat colour

Short horned Zebu

inhabits the higher
Increase in number
western Shewa, small Dual purpose mainly altitude, compact improvement activity
Ambo Cattle east African zebu type used for draught. conformation, larger than
but risk of dilution
crossing with exotics
with exotic breeds
the adjacent Guraghe
breed
work, meat and milk
205 days-wieght of
430kg, and 192-350kg of .high altitude and feed
northern Ethiopia
male and female shortage plain and patchy conventionally practiced
Arado Cattle particularly in Tigrai,
respectively, milk well developed hump and
Unknown
by farmers
zenga type yield per day is1.8±0.4 dewlap
liters with lactation
length of 242±20 days
 Purpose of keeping Phenotypic and Improvement and
Current population
Breed name Distribution and measurable genetic conservation
status
traits characteristic activity

Dual purpose mainly

for work Milk, ranges
large East African 149-809 liters and Habituates highland of
Zebu, central highlands average of Ethiopia Small short Dilution is very high
Arsi Cattle of Ethiopia; Arsi, Shewa, 278.04litres/ lactation horns, dominantly
Unknown
with exotic breed
Bale, Sidamo and Harar period. black
average mature
weight is 236kg

small East African

Zebu type, high plateau inhabits the higher
Dual purpose mainly conventionally practiced
Bale Cattle of the Bale zone, in areas
for work
altitude black, chestnut, Unknown
by farmers
adjacent to the habitat of white and roan color
the Jem-Jem

well-developed udder, Adaptive in hot and decreasing due

North West Ethiopia like
long teats and higher shortage of water, tacking to,shortage of feed,
Tahtayadiabo,
milk, long distance to find conflict and some improvement
Kaftahumera, Welqait,
Begait Cattle Asgedetsimbla districts,
production,,5±0.5litres feeds and water, active uncontrolled activity with ranch and
/day, male and female disposition, long legs and breeding are exsitu conservation
Large east African
is 333±51kg and large humps that tend to potential causes of
zebu type
278±41kg be cervico thoracic risk

Breed name Distribution
Guba district, Metekel
Begaria Zone Benishangul Gumz
Regional State.
distributed in the southern
rangelands of Ethiopia,
around Liben, Mega and
Borana Arero plains kept by
Cattle Borana pastoralists.
Large East African Zebu
type breed
Fogera plains around Lake
Fogera Tana, Southern Gonder and
Cattle adjoining areas of Gojam,
zenga type breed
Purpose of
keeping Phenotypic and genetic Current population Improvement and
and measurable characteristic status conservation activity
traits
Adapted in hot environment, some community based
Dual purpose uniform and dominantly white unknown conservation programs
and grey body coat color implemented
Dual purpose long distance walking ability,
Mainly for milk and drought resistance, reasonable
Risk with high
meat, best feed conception, excellent mothering ability,
destocking young In-situ conservation and
converter produces well developed herd instinct, more
and productive bulls selection with ranch and
2.4 litres milk/day, docile and resistance, heat tolerance,
before replacing ex-situ conservation
ranges 300-385 kg longevity Short horned, mainly white,
themselves from stock with cryoconservation.
male and 250-350 kg fawn or brown with darker shading
female color on the head, neck
and shoulders.
Adaptive to seasonal flooding
Dilution risk with
and the swampy conditions of
other small breed
the area. Tolerate tick and flies
like smada small In-situ conservation and
bitts relatively better than other
work, meat and milk sized cattle, grazing selection with ranch and
breed in surrounding
purposes lands have taken ex-situ conservation
Black-and-white or black and
over by emerged with cryoconservation
grey coat color.Well-developed
cereal crops which is
dewlap and naval flap and is
rice.
docile.
 Purpose of keeping Phenotypic and Improvement and
Current population
Breed name Distribution and measurable genetic conservation
status
traits characteristic activity

Small East African

higher altitude, wetter
Zebu type breeds and
agricultural areas, red
distributed draught, milk and conventionally practiced
Gofa in Goffa area, principally meat
coat colour, small hump unknown
by farmers
and small to medium
around Sawla in South
horn
Omo.

small East African

inhabits the higher
Zebu and distributed in
altitude, wetter Risk to tsetse’s flies
the Guraghe and Hadiya Mainly used for work, conventionally practiced
Guraghe areas in close totsetse- meat, milk
agricultural areas,small infested which is
by farmers
short horned, red, less trypano tolerant
infested valleys of the
chestnut and roan color
Gibe valley

Zebu type, distributed in

Gojam High Horned and humped Uncontrolled conventionally practiced
Awi, East and West work, milk and meat
Land Zebu zebu breeding with others by farmers
Gojjam
 Purpose of keeping Phenotypic and Improvement and
Current population
Breed name Distribution and measurable genetic conservation
status
traits characteristic activity

Small East African Adaptive in lowland and

Zebu type, distributed humid environment
in Hammer area of South white or grey, but there
Hammer conventionally practiced
Omo and maintained by milk, work and meat are also some chestnut Risk is unknown
Cattle by farmers
the Hammer and and roan animalsHorns
neighboring are short to medium;
pastoralist tribes. humps are prominent;

eastern and western

Adaptive in higher
Hararghe plateau,small Shortage of grazing
altitude, wetter conventionally practiced
Harar Cattle Abyssinian Short horned Dual purpose
agricultural areas
land causes shortage
by farmers
Zebu, small east of feed
Black, roan and red.
African zebu type

work, Meat and milk,

Adaptive in to humid and
Distributed in Horro 100-1550 kg per
wetter agricultural area
Gudru of Eastern Welega; lactation of 3-8 months Risk not clearly
Dominantly brown or Ranches and community
also in Western Shewa, and also adult male identified but
Horro Cattle and adjoining areas of and females have
reddish brown coat
number is not
breeding activities being
color thin skin; horns carried out
Illubabora and Shewa, range of , 320-480 kg decreasing currently
moderate but larger than
Zenga type and 210-400 kg
the common zebu
respectively

Breed name Distribution
Zenga type, Distributed
inIrob and GuloMekeda
Irob Cattle districts of the Tigray
region
small East African
Zebu,
Jem
distributed in highlands of
JemCattle
Jem-Jem, Sidamo and Bale
in southern Ethiopia
Sanga type breed and
Kereyu Cattle distributed in the Kereyu
area of Eastern Shewa
Purpose of keeping Phenotypic and Improvement and
Current population
and measurable genetic conservation
status
traits characteristic activity
Work, milk meat, 120-
150 day’s lactation adapted to a mountainous
length and 1 litter per production environment
Threatened due to some exsitucry
day, average mature and thrive to thorny
weights 245±36kg plants like cactus
lack of awareness, conservation has been
feedand conflict carried out
male light red with white spot
and200±36kg.female color on the face
of
Adapted to the wet and
cold climate above
2500mas, short
work, meat and milk
horns and ears, slender conventionally practiced
with average milk Unknown
legs, small to medium by farmers
2liters/day
humped and solid black,
black with a white face or
white patches
mainly for milk,
well adapted to the hot
dowry and 463.1litres,
environmental situation
average body weight conventionally practiced
of 300.4 kg and 249.9
straight profile, long thin Unknown
by farmers
legs and long horns plain,
kg male and female
patchy and spotty
respectively
 Purpose of keeping Phenotypic and Improvement and
Current population
Breed name Distribution and measurable genetic conservation
status
traits characteristic activity

occupies the mid-altitude

zone between the
Ogaden rangelands
small East African
Multipurpose breed, and the Hararghe conventionally practiced
Jijiga Cattle Zebu , distributed in
work and meat highlands, wetter to
Unknown
by farmers
Somali region of jijiga
somewhat drier
areaschestnut, black,
white or red coat color

cross of the Begait

Milk, work and conflict, and
and Arado breeds adapted to extreme feed
meat.2.5±2 liters per uncontrolled conventionally practiced
Medenes Cattle distributed in the hot to
dayand ,260±23kg ,
shortage, mostly black
breeding are by farmers
warm semi-arid low lands and white colour
male, 248±21kg female potential risks
of Welqite

Adaptive in humid
environments
Grey, white, black,
small East African
chestnut, roan, pied with
Zebu, distributed in
spots and striped. And conventionally practiced
MursiCattle Maintained by the Mursi milk, meat and work
horns are mainly
unknown
by farmers.
and neighboring pastoral
large, usually curved
communityof South Omo
inwards; hump is
prominent and well
developed
 Purpose of keeping Phenotypic and Improvement and
Current population
Breed name Distribution and measurable genetic conservation
status
traits characteristic activity
Lowland Zebu under
Adaptive to hot
small east African
Milk, meat and work, environments, uniform
zebu distributed in the Draught and some activities of
Ogaden Zebu averageWeight of plain white, black shade
Ogaden area of the conflict are cryoconservation being
Cattle 248.5kg (female), around face and humped
Somali region and dominant threat carried out
285.7kg (male) and in most cases
bordering Eastern
polled
Hararghe
3±1litrs/day with
Has a trait of adaptive
lactation length of
Sanga type, distributed importance for the
210±17 days and body
in east of lake Ashange of production system where Dilution with other conventionally practiced
Raya Tigray region and the
weight of male and
the breed exists. mainly indigenous breeds by farmers
females are 281±41kg,
bordering areas of Wello used for work, meat
and219±26kg
amd milk
respectively.
Comparing with other
breeds in the country
better attention has been
the only hump less Relatively better adaptive given to breeding and
short horned taurine Milk, meat,work withtrypan tolerance conservation both insitu
Dilution with other
breed in east Africa and Average milk yield polled or has floating and exsitu methods
zebu cattle and
Sheko it is distributed in the ranges 1-2 type of horn and brown
change in production
Population census
humid parts of south liters/dayand adult live or black and white conducted by mizan-Tepi
system
western Ethiopia around weights 194.4kg colour and glossy-red University in
Bench-Maji zone hair collaboration with EBI
and population number
is showing an increasing
trend
 Purpose of keeping Phenotypic and Current Improvement and
Breed name Distribution and measurable genetic population conservation
traits characteristic status activity

inhabits the higher

altitude, wetter
Shortage of feed and
small East African agricultural areas
Mainly used for uncontrolled conventionally
Zebu, distributed in Mainly black, but
Smada Gayint, and Smada in
work, meat and milk
other colors
breeding practice practiced
purposes with other breed like by farmers
south Gondar are in combinations
Fogera cattle
of red, black and
white.
 Indigenous cattle of Ethiopia constitute a varied and diversified
characteristics.

 They are characterized by their:

• adaptation to harsh climatic conditions,
• ability to utilize poor quality feed resources and
• their resistance to a range of diseases found in the regions.
Beef Cattle Breeds
Tropical Beef cattle Breeds
• Like that of dairy production there is no as such well appreciated beef
type cattle breed in the tropics.
• However, there are some cattle breeds like Africander, Boran,
Brahman, Gir, Nelore, Guzerate, Red Sindhi, Indo-Brazilian and Ankole-
Watusi.
Temperate Beef cattle Breeds
• The temperate/exotic cattle breeds refer to cattle that found in the
temperate zones especially USA and Europe.
• The temperate breeds have been deliberately selected for various
purposes and can be easily differentiated with their peculiar features
such as body color, length and shape of horn, hump-less and other
traits.
• Temperate cattle breeds encompass Hereford, Angus, Shorthorn,
South Devon, Red Poll, Simmental, Limousin, Charolois and others.

• They are well known for their good beef traits and provide more
meat. But they are not adapted to the tropical conditions and for this
reason they usually perform low due to poor tolerance to high
temperature and diseases.

• The reduced performance is also aggravated by their poor foraging

ability under the local management practices.
Cattle Production System
Dairy Cattle Production System
• The dairy sector in Ethiopia could be categorized based on market
orientation, scale, and production intensity.
• The four major production systems identified in this regard are:
1. Commercial farming system
2. Urban/peri-urban systems
3. Smallholder mixed farming system
4. Pastoral/agro-pastoral systems
1. Commercial Farming System
• This system comprises Private and state farms
• Exotic or crossbred animals are used under this system
• The share of this system in the total national milk production of
the country is only about 1.0%

2. Urban/peri-urban systems
• under this system mainly cross-bred animals are used
• in some places cross-bred and local breeds are also used
• have access to milk collection centers
• The share of this system in the total national milk production of
the country is about 14.3%
3. Smallholder mixed farming system
• common in the highland areas
• Mainly local breeds are used in this system
• The share of this system in the total national milk production of
the country is about 63.3%.

4. Pastoral/agro-pastoral Systems
➮ It is common in the lowland areas
➮ Local breeds are used in the system
➮ The share of this system in the total national milk production
of the country is about 21.4%
Beef Cattle Production Systems
There are three major beef cattle production systems:
• Cow-calf producers- Keeping a herd of beef cow. These cows are bred
each year to produce calves
• Done in range land
• Purebred breeders –Keeps herd of purebred breeding stock
• Provide bull for cow calf operation, high cost and time taking to develop
high quality herd
• This way of production system responsible for genetic improvement of
beef cattle in Ethiopia as cattle breeding ranches
• Cattle feeders(Small scale fatteners) – Feed animal for slaughter
market
• Produced finished cattle in short period
• Facilities require(feed, labor and transportation) more expensive than
cow calf operation
System of Cattle Fattening in Ethiopia
• Traditional System
• Oxen usually sold after plowing season when they ate in poor condition
• Meat yield low (poor quality beef)
• By product based fattening
• Main sources of food agro industrial by product(Molasses, cereal, milling
byproduct and oil seed meal)
• Hararghe Fattening System
• In this System Peasants buy young oxen from adjacent lowland pastoral
areas, use them for several years then fatten and sell them before they
become old and emaciated.
• Largely use cut and carry feeding of tethered animals
• Grazing rare and concentrate few used.
Type of cattle for Fattening
• There are many choices for the cattle feeder when selecting cattle to
feed.
• Selection is made on the basis of sex, age, weight, and grade of cattle.
Sex – Steer gain 10% faster than heifer fed for the same length.
10-15% efficient in gain on steer
Efficiency in gain refers amount of feed needed for each pound(kg)
of gain.
Bulls produce lean carcasses of about the same quality as steers.
However, bulls are not as well accepted in the marketplace
Age and Weight: Group of feeders
Calves: less than one yr ,adapted many different system, more
efficient gain take longer time to feed calves to slaughter wt
They need more grain than roughage
High death rate
High health problem
Yearling: b/n 1-2 years old
Use more roughage than calves
Less time in feedlot
Few health problem
Older: older than 2 years
Short period of time(90-100 days)
Faster gain
More roughage on their ration
Low death loss
Cattle feed resource and feeding
system
• A) Dry feeds
• This type of feed resources includes hays, grains, oilseed meals, straw,
Stover, corn cobs, corn husks, SB hulls, SB mill feeds, cottonseed hulls,
peanut hulls, oat hulls, rice hulls
• B) Green feeds
• Such type feed resources includes pasture and green chop (feeds are
roughages chopped daily in the feed and brought to livestock for feeding.
• C) High moisture feeds
• Here feed resources like high-moisture grain, wet byproduct feeds, roots &
tubers, fresh milk, silage, cactus, Enset etc could be mentioned.
Feed category
Roughage feeds: Concentrate feeds
 are feeds that are high in fiber  are feeds that are low in fiber
and low in TDN and high in TDN

 contain above 18% CF when  contain below 18% CF when

dry dry
Roughage Type
Legumes Grass
 have on their roots nodules  include timothy, brome grass,
containing bacteria that fix orchard grass, blue grass, Sudan
nitrogen from the air grass, millet hay, oat hay, etc.
 include alfalfa, clovers, peanut hay,
SB hay etc.
Concentrate Type
A/Grain feeds
• corn, oats, barley, grain sorghum, wheat
B/Supplement feeds
• Include protein feeds, minerals and vitamins

• Important feed components: Nutrients like Carbohydrate

,Lipids ,Protein ,Mineral ,Vitamins and Water.
Nutrient Intake
• Level of Nutrient given to the animal depends on their status:
• maintenance
• maintenance + production
• maintenance + production + reproduction
• Most nutrients can be fed in excess, but if any nutrient is not
present in an adequate amount, the performance of the
animal will be limited.
Cattle feeding management
• Feeding has considerable influence on the success and profitability of
the farm business. Success of animal nutrition involves securing the
necessary field resources (forages and concentrates) and combining
and delivering these feeds in such a manner that promote desirable
growth of herd replacements and production of large quantities of
milk and meat with acceptable composition from the herd.

• Feeds account for up to 70% of the expense of animal production in

average dairy and beef farms.
Cattle housing systems

• An efficient management of cattle will be incomplete without a well

planned and adequate housing of cattle.

• Improper planning in the arrangement of animal housing may result in

additional labor charges and that restrict the profit of the
owner.
• During construction of a house for cattle, care should be taken to
provide comfortable' accommodation for an individual cattle.

• More important is the (1) proper sanitation, (2) durability, (3)

arrangements for the production of milk and meat under convenient
and economic conditions, etc.
Location of Buildings

• The point to be considered before constructing the house :

1. Topography and Drainage : The building should be at higher
elevation than the surrounding ,gives good slop for rainfall and
drainage of wastes
2. Soil Type : Fertile soil for forage cultivation
3. Exposure to sun and protection from wind: Building should be
located maximum exposure in the north and minimum in the south
and protection from strong wind.
4. Accessibility: Easy accessibility of building, not far from the main
road
5.Durablity and Attractiveness: nice background and good view
along with durability
6.Water supply: Fresh , clean and should be available in cheap rate
7.Surrounding: free from wild animal. Narrow gate not
recommended
8. Labor: Regular, economical and honest
9.Marketing: areas the owner can sell his product regularly and
profitably
10.Electricity: it lighten the farm
Types of dairy Housing
• DAIRY CATTLE HOUSING
A. Loose housing barn – Animals kept loose except milking
and at the time of treatment
• Most economical and construction cost lower than Conventional
• It is possible to make further expansion without change
• Facilitate easy detection of animal in heat.
• Animals feel free and therefore, proves more profitable with even minimum
grazing
• Animals get optimum excise which is extremely important for better health
production.
• Over all better management can be rendered
B. Conventional dairy barn - by this system cattle are more
protected from adverse climatic condition.
• Comparatively costly and now becoming less popular

• The following barns are generally needed for proper housing of

different classes. Dairy stock in the farm:
• Cow houses or sheds
• Calving box
• Isolation box
• Sheds for young stocks
• Bull or bullock sheds
BEEF CATTLE HOUSING
A. Open feedlots –no buildings
• No(limited) protection of cattle's from wind break and sun
B. Open barn and feedlot –protection of cattle facility provided by
open front barn
• This system well adapted to smaller feedlots and the feeding in an
open lot(mechanical and fence line bunk)
• Floor of barn usually unpaved
C. Feeding barn and lot – feeding inside the barn
Feed and cattle protected from the weather, less feed lost from the
bunk
Cattle farm Establishment
Challenges of Establishing cattle farm
A. Personal Challenge – can be avoided by
• Acquiring Knowledge of all aspects of dairying and herd management
• Gain Practical experience in cattle production
• Possessing Interest, willingness and motivation to work hard physically and
mentally
• Avoiding over confidence accept openings of experienced person
• Avoid unrealistic expectation
• Avoiding careless and unrealistic planning
• Accepting cattle production as a business of way of life.
B. Resource Challenges
Availability of needed resources or capital to purchase the resources
• Major resources in cattle farm that require capital
• Cattle
• Facilities and equipment to house and handle the cattle
• Land for growing all or part of the forage for the cattle
• Marketing privileges (marketing base)
lack of availability of land to raise feed and /or lack of availability of forage is
something decisive.
Evaluating the production factor of areas
1. Weather
2. Grazing land availability and access to grazing land
3. Availability of cattle breeds as a foundation stock
4. Availability of feed sources and consistent supply
5. Availability of land for farmstead structure
6. Man power availability
7. Access to market
8. Transportation facilities
Cont…
9.Well drained area with ample and clean water supply
10. Distance from residential area and other social services
11. Distance from other farms and future expansion.
12.Availability of veterinary and equipment's
13. Direction of the prevailing wind and sun
Constraints of cattle production
1. Technical constraints
• Genotype: 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: In drier regions, the
quantity of forages is often insufficient for the number of livestock
carried; dry season feed supply is the paramount problem. Also crop
residues and agro- industrial by- products that could be fed to animals
are largely wasted or inefficiently used because infrastructure for
transporting, processing and marketing feed stuffs is under developed.
• Animal disease: Disease sharply reduces the productivity of
livestock in all agro- ecological zones and production system in
Ethiopia.
• Parasitic ,viral vector transmitted disease
• No effective vaccine and expensive insect control mechanism
• Farming systems and animal management: - As crop- livestock
systems evolve, inadequate understanding by farmers, researchers, and
extension workers of various cropping patterns, market
opportunities, livestock alternatives, and use of labor, technology, and
inputs is a major constraint
• Poor livestock husbandry practices
2. Non Technical Constraints
• Inadequate infrastructure: poor transport network
• Institutional issues: The extension system and animal health
services have not been well developed.
• Policy constraints: There is no well developed livestock policy in
general and that of cattle development in particular.
Gender role in cattle production
• Men and women are involved in livestock sector, but in different ways;
and they face different constraints.
• Women have important roles in managing cattle. They are often
involved in feeding, watering and milking animals reared close to
home, such as in intensive and mixed systems and in processing and
marketing of livestock byproducts.
• Women are most typically primarily in roles that revolve around the
home, deferring matters of sales and marketing, other than in nearby
locations, to men.