Evaluation of Oestrus Synchronization Program on Dairy Cattle in South Ari District, South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted in South Ari District, South Omo Zone, Ethiopia from 2017-2018 with the objectives of evaluating the performance of hormonal oestrus synchronization program and exploring beneficiaries’ perception. Data on 3881 synchronization records from the year 2011 to 2017 were used to evaluate its effectiveness trend. In addition, 2017 estrus synchronization record data of 408 cows and heifers were collected and used for analysis. Single dose prostaglandin(PGF2ɑ) was administrated to the animals and hormone response and conception and/pregnancy rate was measured. All synchronized cows/heifers showed estrus responses were inseminated on natural heat using frozen semen of Holstein Frisian and Jersey breed bulls. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out at day 90 post AI by rectal palpation. Furthermore, 138 selected respondents from 4 beneficiary kebeles were interviewed on their perception hormonal oestrus synchronization .The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test. The results showed that 91.2% of cows and heifers were responding to the hormonal treatment. However; the overall pregnancy rate observed was only 11.02% and this is by far below the reported pregnancy rate at the national level (60%). About 73.9% of the respondents had a low perception concerning estrus synchronization practiced in the area. This was because of problems associated with lowawareness of farmers on heat detection, subjectivity on screening of animal for synchronization, distance of AI service centers, timing of insemination and poor feeding and management practice of animals. Since the South Ari district is one of the agro-pastoral areas in the region; continual supply of facilities, awareness on the estrus synchronization technology, improvement on cattle management practices and active involvement of stakeholders hormonal oestrus synchronization are necessary for the effectiveness of estrous synchronization program in the study area.