On Farm Phenotypic Characterization, Breeding, Husbandry and Fattening Practices of Harar Cattle in Hararghe Highland

Abstract:

The study was conducted in four districts (Jarso and Goro Gutu) from eastern Hararghe and (Tullo and Oda Bultum) from western Hararghe zone of Oromia Regional Sate, Ethiopia, with the objectives of phenotypically characterization and to identify and characterize Harar cattle breeding, husbandry and fattening practice in the study area. Data collection were carried out through field observations, semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, discussion with key informants and linear body measurements of sample indigenous cattle and secondary data collection from different sources. A total of 300 households (75 from each district) were purposively selected and interviewed and 488 adult cattle were sampled for morphological description and linear body measurements. The average cattle herd size was 6.02±0.11heads per household and there were highly significant different (p