Milk production performance of Jersey cows at Wolaita Sodo State Dairy Farm, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Wolaita Sodo State Dairy Farm to determine the milk yield, lactation length and productive herd life of Jersey cattle, and also the potential factors affecting these parameters. The Jersey cattle in the study farm were mainly kept on pastureland and with some supplementary feeds. The result of this study revealed that the overall mean values of milk yield, lactation length and lifetime milk yield were 1691.59 kg, 318.42 days and 5565.19 kg respectively. Milk yield, lactation and lactation length were significantly affected by year of calving and cattle source (p< 0.001). But lifetime milk yield was only affected by the year of calving (p< 0.01). Imported cattle had better lactation milk yield and length than those reared on farm. In addition, lactation length was significantly decreasing with parity number (p< 0.001). The overall mean values for total herd life, productive herd life and effective productive herd life were 2983.74 days, 2310.11 days and 1663.15 days, respectively. Year of birth affected the total and effective productive herd life (p< 0.01). Imported cattle had longer total (p< 0.01) and productive herd life (p< 0.05) than on-farm reared cattle. From this study it can be concluded that Jersey cattle kept in the study farm had low milk yield, but the total herd life, productive herd life and effective productive herd life in general were satisfactory.

Effect of Brucella Infection on Reproduction Conditions of Female Breeding Cattle and Its Public Health Significance in Western Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

The most common clinical manifestations of brucellosis in livestock are associated with reproduction. This paper reports the result of a cross-sectional study conducted between October, 2007 and April, 2008 in Western Tigray, North Ethiopia, with the objectives of assessing the effect of Brucella infection on reproduction conditions of female breeding bovine and to explore the presence of Brucella seroreactors in vulnerable humans. A total of 1,354 and 246 sera were collected from female cattle and humans, respectively. The sera were screened using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), and positive samples were confirmed by complement fixation test (CFT). Reproductive conditions for female cattle and risk to human brucellosis seropositivity were tested by using logistic regression analysis. The result indicated that the overall prevalence in female cattle was 6.1%. The study showed 1.2% prevalence among human risk groups, all of which were herdsmen. Logistic regression identified parity status, calving interval, abortion history, and abortion period were significantly associated with seropositivity. The association was not significant with reproductive status and parity number. Proper hygienic practices and team work between veterinary and health personnel should improve the efforts to combat disease transmission

Brucellosis in Ethiopia

We reviewed the distribution of brucellosis in different regions of Ethiopia and its prevalence among different livestock hosts. In the absence of recent published documents, unpublished studies were cited to provide some information on distribution and importance of brucellosis in Ethiopia. Risk factors for the occurrence of brucellosis are also reviewed. Finally, different strategies for the control and prevention of brucellosis under Ethiopian conditions are discussed

Brucellosis among Patients With Fever of Unknown Origin in Jimma University Hospital South Western Ethiopia View Abstract and Download Journal

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Epidemiological Survey of Peste des Petits Ruminants in Ethiopia: Cattle as Potential Sentinel for Surveillance

International audiencePeste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants; it emerged in countries previously free of the disease following the eradication of rinderpest. PPR is classified by international organizations as the next priority animal disease for global eradication campaign. Assessment of the local situations is the first step in the eradication efforts. The objective of this study was to investigate and compare the seroprevalence of PPR in cattle, sheep, and goats under two livestock production systems in Ethiopia: North Shewa zone of Amhara region represents a highland sedentary life style characterized by mixed livestock-crop production system; Zone Three of Afar region represents a lowland nomadic life style characterized by pastoral livestock production system. N-competitive EUSA PPR test was performed on sera from 2,993 animals >6 months old sampled at watering and grazing points. Multivariable logistic regression models comparing the seropositivity between the two production systems were built by classifying doubtful results as positive, negative, or excluding them from the data. The odds ratio (OR) comparing overall PPR seroprevalence in the sedentary North Shewa Zone compared to the nomadic Zone Three ranged from 19 to 27 (P 0.05). Our results suggest to further investigate cattle as sentinel animals for PPR surveillance