Milk production and reproductive performance of local and crossbreed dairy cows in selected districts of west Gojam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The aim of the study was to evaluate milk production and reproductive performance of Indigenous and their crossbreed of different exotic blood level of dairy cows and factors affecting their performance in rural, peri-urban and urban production system of selected districts of West Gojjam Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. A total of 180 small-scale dairy cow owners were purposively selected and interviewed with pre-tested struc-tured questionnaire to obtain information on the milk production and reproductive per-formance of cows. For monitoring study from 180 farmers, 60 dairy farmers who have lactating cows were involved. The cows with exotic blood level of (0%, 25%, 50% and 75%) were purposively selected. Monitoring study was also conducted to obtain milk pro-duction based on, lactation stages, production system, exotic blood level and parity of cows. The monitoring results showed that, the average daily milk yield for local and their crossbreed of different exotic blood level of 25%, 50% and 75% at Early, Mid, and Late lactation stages, for local cows with mean daily milk was 2.36±0.84 litres, 3.38±0.94, 2.82±1.01and 0.89±0.58 litres early, mid, and late lactation stages, respectively. For 25%, with mean daily milk yield was 4.49±1.50 litres and 5.76±1.67, 4.84±1.49, and 2.86±1.35 litres in early, mid and late lactation stage, respectively. For 50%, with mean daily milk yield was 7.34±2.99 litters and 9.86±3.71, 7.57±3.57 and 4.59±1.68 litres in early, mid and late lactation stage, respectively. For 75% with the mean daily milk yield was 8.78±2.16 litres11.37±2.74, 9.22±2.34 and 5.74±1.40litres in early, mid and late lactation stage, respectively. The milk production was significantly (P