Abstract

The survey was conducted to assess urban dairy production and waste management system in Oromia Special Zone around Finfinnee, Ethiopia. The three study towns (Burayu, Sululta and Sebeta) were purposively selected due to the high potential for commercial dairy production. A total of 90 commercial dairy producers 30 from each town who at least own 10 dairy cows were randomly selected. The farmers interviewed individually using the survey questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed and the study revealed that 47.8 and 52.2% of the interviewed were female and male respectively. Next to daily laborers, household wives shared larger responsibility for feeding (21.1%), milking (28.9%) and cleaning (13.3%). The genetic composition of dairy cows in the study areas ranges from 50% exotic gene inheritances to pure (100%) exotic Holstein Friesian. Accordingly, 50, 62.5, ≥75% and pure Holstein Friesian cows account for about 24.4, 38.9, 24.4 and 11% of the herd, respectively. The major sources of feed were both formulated feed and feed that mixed at home (55.6%) and tap water (74. 4%). The average age at first calving, calving interval and days open was 2.26±.05years 20.8 ± 0.05 months and 161.76±34.80 days respectively. The major waste in the farm is manure (73.3%) and followed by feed left over (14.45%) and dust (12. 25%). High price feed, shortage of land, unavailability of dairy cow/heifer in time, feed quality, unavailability of feed in nearby area, diseases and lack of access to credit, shortage of water and inadequate training were among the major constraint of dairy production that need urgent intervention to utilize the untapped resources in the area.

Key words: Dairy cattle, urban, production, milk, waste.