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1745 recorded data were used to generate reproductive and productive traits of Holstein Friesian cows. The overall mean for reproductive traits were 43.14 ± 1.7 months, 514.33 ± 23.44 days, 236.71± 23.96 days, 1.30± 0.24 services, and 8.18± 0.4 years for Age at FC, CI, DO, NSPC, and longevity, respectively. The overall mean for productive traits was 8.54 ± 0.28 kg, 2685.46± 98.56 kg, and 342±15.61 days for DMY, LMY, and LL, respectively. Season of calving significantly affected P0.05 all productive traits. Cows that calved during the short rainy season performed better, but season of birth had no effect on both productive and reproductive traits. Similarly, season of insemination had no effect on NSPC. DMY, LMY and reproductive traits were significantly affected P0.001 by year of birth. Year of calving and parity also significantly affected P0.001 all productive and reproductive traits. But NSPC did not affect by year of insemination and parity. The CI, DO, DMY, and LMY were relatively better at 5th parity and decreases thereafter. Therefore, in resource limited area management practices should be persistent to avoid seasonal and annual variability in animal production.
About the author
Fisseha Melaku was born on September 19, 1973 in Addis Ababa. After his high school education, he joined the Alemaya University of Agriculture in September 1987 and graduated with a B.Sc. degree in Animal Sciences in 1990. After working for ten years he joined Haramaya University for MSc degree in Animal Production in 2004 and graduate August 2007.
