Reproductive and lactation performance of HF cows at Holetta Farm

Retrospective type of studies were carried out to estimate lactation performance of Holestain Friesian cows/heifers kept at Holetta bull dam farm. A total of 9506 retrospective records collected from 1976 to 2000 were used to assess lactation length, total lactation and 305 days milk yield. Analyses for fixed effects were carried out using the Least Squares Mean techniques of the General Linear Models procedure of SAS. Results of the analysis on non-genetic factors on overall performance imply inconsistency in overall management. The overall LSM for LL, LMY and 305 days milk yield of Holstein-Friesian cows at Holetta bull dam farm were 308(+2.0) days, 3416(+32.5) liters and 3409(+28.8) liters respectively. Lactation length, LMY and 305 days milk yield were significantly (p<0.001) affected by calving year and parity. In case of season LMY (p<0.001) and 305 days milk yield (p< 0.05) were significant. The level of lactation performance of HF in the farm is better than for many of the other farm owned by state or private found in Ethiopia, but it is also lower than in many tropical countries and with their genetic potential performance.