Management practices, reproductive performances, and production constraints of indigenous cattle in north-western parts of Ethiopia

Description of the production condition and level performance is first step in improving performance. The study described indigenous cattle reproductive performances, management practices limitations north-western Ethiopia. Multistage purposive random sampling methods were used to select sites/districts households. A semi-structured questionnaire (320 interviewees), focus group discussions (12) personal observations for data collection. Chi-square (χ2) test, least squares mean ranking indexes statistical employed analysis. Livestock composition, constraints showed significant differences (p < 0.001) between agro-ecological zones. Cattle dominant livestock species, with numbers 18.3 ± 9.9, 8.1 3.2 5.4 2.5 heads lowland, midland highland zones, respectively. ages at mating bulls, service heifers, calving interval cows best highlands, while agro-ecology had worst Feed shortage (Index = 0.4) disease prevalence 0.25) main problems. Natural pasture was feed source areas. revealed a effect on landholding, practices, species composition; herd structure, performances constraints. This implies that socioeconomic characteristics, management-level stock are important developing improvement strategies smallholder different