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Ethiopians consume less than 20 kilograms of raw milk per year, far less than the African (40 kg) and global averages (105 kg) per year. Dairy price sensitivity has increased as a result of expanding urbanization, greater demand for livestock products, and a narrower supply response window. The aim of this research was to assess the dairy farm management practice and milk quality measurements using multi-source monitoring of the dairy farms. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data on dairy farm management practices by using simple cluster sampling techniques. Milk samples were acquired from bulk and individual cows at the peak, mid, and late stages of lactation. Feeds were collected in three phases and if there is no difference in feeds, the feed sample becomes blended into one pooled composite sample and taken into the laboratory for quality estimation. The research result revealed that the number of dairy cows varies substantially within and between dairy farm groups, ranging from 5-50, 3-42, and 5-45 dairy cows reported in Bahir Dar, D/tabor and Gondar cities, respectively, with an average number of 15.46±2.47, 13±1.33 and 12.83±1.72 dairy cows reported in the same order. According to a descriptive examination, the lactoscan laboratory result of the bulk tank milk (BTM), (2.82±0.32 and 2.81±0.38 %) had the highest mean values of fat and protein contents in Bahir Dar, D/tabor and Gondar cities respectively. In the individual cow milk (ICM) analysis, Gondar had the highest mean fat value (5.04±0.9%), while Bahir Dar had the highest mean value was protein (3.99±.59). The common feed identified in the entire area of the current study was TMR and NSC, and the CP contents in the feed sample analysis revealed a variation in TMR and NSC of (14.94 and 37.92%), (16.56 and 33.67%), and (20.38 and 35.24%) found in Gondar, D/tabor, and Bahir Dar cities respectively. In contrast, the fat-to-protein ratio was BTM 1.06±.085, 0.99±.061, and 1.055±.89%, respectively. Hence, the standard fat to protein ratio becomes 1-1.5, while, Debre tabor (DT) failed to achieve the fat to protein ratio (FPR) required standards as a whole. Since the fat and protein content were below the standards (3.5 to 4 and 3 to 3.5% respectively), farmers must re-evaluate feed quality, and the FPR of DT is below the requirement, which affects the energy balance of the cow, which needs the feeding practice should be adjusted to meet the required standards.

The temporal dynamics of soil respiration change in response to different land management practices is not well documented. This study investigated the effects of soil bunds on the monthly and diurnal dynamics of soil respiration rates in the highlands of the Upper Blue Nile basin in Ethiopia. Six plots (with and without soil bunds, three replicates) were used for measurement of seasonal soil respiration, and eighteen plots were used for measurement of diurnal soil respiration. We collected seasonal variation data on a monthly basis from September 2020 to August 2021. Diurnal soil respiration data were collected four times daily (5 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m., and 11 p.m.) for two weeks from 16–29 September 2021. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed that seasonal soil respiration rates differed significantly (p 2 m− 2 s− 1, mean ± SE) and highest in October (14.54 ± 0.5 µmol CO2 m− 2 s− 1). Diurnal soil respiration rate was significantly (p

An assessment on cow milk production, processing and marketing systems was conducted in urban and peri-urban production systems in Bahir Dar and Mecha districts, Northwestern Ethiopia. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select representative study sites called kebeles(lower level administrative units) in both urban and peri-urban production systems. A total of 264 households heads were selected by using systematic random sampling techniques. Questionnaire survey, focus group discussion and key informants’ interview were employed to collect primary data. To complement the survey based information, 24 households (12 in each production system) who had lactating cows were voluntarily selected and a follow up study was conducted for a month. The result indicated that the average cattle herd size of households was 8 heads per household, with no significant variations between urban and peri-urban production systems. The finding indicated female calves were found > male calves 1.54 (0.95%) and 1.27 (0.83%) in urban and peri-urban production systems, respectively. The cattle breeding systems used by both production systems were AI (58%), natural meting (15.5%) and both (26.5%). The dairy cattle breed used for milk production in both production systems were cross bred cows (56.1%), local breed cows (18.9%) and both local and cross bred cows (25%) in both production systems. Major feed resources used by the households were crop residues and hay, industrial by products, natural grazing and concentrate feeds. Water sources for animals in both production systems were river; hand dug well and pipe sources. Average milk production per cow/day/ liter for local breed and crossbred cows were 2.76 and 9.02 with the mean lactation length of 9.49 and 8.36 months, respectively. In the urban production system 1.5% milk was processed for marketing and 89.4% in peri-urban production system were processed for marketing. With regard to marketing of milk and milk products, both formal and informal marketing systems were existed in the production systems. The dairy production in the study areas was constrained mainly by shortage of land, price fluctuation, disease, high feed price. To mitigate the above problems the government and non-governmental organizations should give a higher priority for the development.

Objective: Portable laser methane detectors (LMDs) may be an economical means of estimating CH4 emissions from ruminants. We validated an LMD-based approach and then used that approach to evaluate CH4 emissions from indigenous dairy cows in a dryland area of Ethiopia. Methods: First, we validated our LMD-based approach in Simmental crossbred beef cattle (n = 2) housed in respiration chambers and fed either a high- or low-concentrate diet. From the results of the validation, we constructed an estimation equation to determine CH4 emissions from LMD CH4 concentrations. Next, we used our validated LMD approach to examine CH4 emissions in Fogera dairy cows grazed for 8 h/d (GG, n = 4), fed indoors on natural-grassland hay (CG1, n = 4), or fed indoors on Napier-grass (Pennisetum purpureum) hay (CG2, n = 4). All the cows were supplemented with concentrate feed. Results: The exhaled CH4 concentrations measured by LMD were linearly correlated with the CH4 emissions determined by infrared-absorption-based gas analyzer (r2 = 0.55). The estimation equation used to determine CH4 emissions (y, mg/min) from LMD CH4 concentrations (x, ppm m) was y = 0.4259x+38.61. Daily CH4 emissions of Fogera cows estimated by using the equation did not differ among the three groups; however, a numerically greater milk yield was obtained from the CG2 cows than from the GG cows, suggesting that Napiergrass hay might be better than natural-grassland hay for indoor feeding. The CG1 cows had higher CH4 emissions per feed intake than the other groups, without significant increases in milk yield and body-weight gain, suggesting that natural-grassland hay cannot be recommended for indoor-fed cows. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the potential of using LMDs to valuate feeding regimens rapidly and economically for dairy cows in areas under financial constraint, while taking CH4 emissions into consideration.

Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to monitor the dairy management practice and dairy production performance in Amhara region. Data was collected from 117 dairy farms on frontal interview on cluster sampling approaches to identify respondents. The model result revealed that the relationship between construct reliabilities and the dairy farm facilities was significantly varies (p

Browse species are important sources of forage for livestock in Ethiopia, especially during the dry season, when the quality and quantity of green herbage is limited. However, browse species have anti-nutritional factors, such as polyphenols. This study evaluated the extent to which polyethylene glycol (PEG) can reduce the anti-nutritional effects of polyphenols whose extent is expected to vary depending on the species type and season on the in vitro fermentation of these plant samples. We selected ten browse species commonly used as livestock feed based on their tannin content, and sixty samples of the leaf and twig of these species were collected during the wet and dry seasons. The study was designed as 10 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with 10 browse species (Acacia nilotica, Crateva adonsonia, Dombeya torrida, Ekebergia capensis, Ensete ventricosum, Erythrina brucei, Maesa lanceolate, Sesbania sesban, Stereospermum kunthianum, and Terminalia laxiflora), 2 seasons (wet and dry) and 2 states of PEG (with and without PEG). The effects of tannin on the nutritive characteristics were also evaluated by adding PEG as a tannin-binding agent. The chemical composition and in vitro fermentation products of these samples differed significantly (p < 0.001) among browse species. Specifically, total extractable phenol (TEP) ranged from 26.3 to 250.3 g/kg, total extractable tannin (TET) from 22.8 to 210.9 g/kg, and condensed tannin (CT) from 11.1 to 141.3 g/kg, respectively. Season, species, and their interaction have a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the chemical composition and fermentation characteristics of most browse species. The addition of PEG increased gas production (GP), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), metabolizable energy (ME) concentration, dry matter degradability (DMD), and volatile fatty acids (VFA), on average, by 76.8%, 47.9%, 42.2%, 21.2%, and 20.2%, respectively. Secondary polyphenols (TEP, TET, CT, and SCT) were significantly (p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with GP, IVOMD, ME, and VFA. Preferable species namely E. ventricosum, S. sesban, M. lanceolata, E. capensis, and A. nilotica were selected for supplementation in terms of their chemical composition, IVOMD, and mitigating effects of PEG on anti-nutritional functions of their secondary compounds. In conclusion, PEG markedly reduced the anti-nutritional effects of polyphenols and improved the in vitro fermentation of browse species harvested in contrasting seasons.

The effects of altitude and harvesting stages on the performance of Brachiaria brizantha (Marandu, and La Libertad) and B. hybrid cv. Mulato II grass were evaluated in Ethiopia. The data collected consisted of plant height (PH), tiller density, number and length of leaves, and dry matter yield. Chemical analysis of forage samples was done for dry matter, ash, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Results indicated that the highest PH was recorded at all sites by La Libertad which was followed by Mulato II and the highest DM yield by Mulato II followed by La Libertad. There was significant difference (P

Teff is the most strategic cereal crop grown from high rainfall to drought prone areas of Ethiopia, where it covers nearly 30% of the land allotted for cereals. However, its productivity remains very low due to lack of knowledge and research interventions. To investigate the grain yield potential, estimate the genetic parameters, and the diversity, a pot experiment with intensive management and a field experiment with conventional management at two contrasting locations for two seasons using the same 317 genotypes and additional 3 improved cultivars in the field experiment were carried out. The results showed highly significant variation among the genotypes for grain yield, biomass, harvest index, and phenological traits under both experiments. The best linear unbiased predictor (BLUP)-adjusted grain yield performance of the genotypes ranged from 4.2 to 8.8 g/plant in the intensive management and 1.8 to 4.3 g/plant in the field growing condition with conventional management. Coefficient of genetic variation, heritability, and expected genetic advance for grain yield were the highest in both experiments. Among the phenological traits, the grain filling period in the intensive growing condition exceptionally showed the highest genetic coefficient of variation and genetic advance. The high grain yield performance and wider range of the harvest index observed under the intensive management condition with moderate to high heritability signifies the genetic potential of teff for further improvement through trait recombination.

The study was conducted in Dangila town, Ethiopia, to assess the cattle fattening practices and fattening performances of cattle in the area. A semi-structured questionnaire survey and on-farm monitoring of fattening cattle were carried out. A total of 200 cattle fatteners (160 from peri-urban and 40 fatteners urban) were included in the survey. Fattening was monitored for weight change. The initial, the middle, and final body weights were taken using a heart girth meter. The survey data was analyzed and summarized using descriptive statistics and index ranking. Monitoring data was analyzed using the General Linear Model Procedure of SPSS. The mean family size, age of household heads, and landholding were 5.15, 38.04 years, and 0.2 hectares, respectively. Respondents had average fattening experiences of 4.36 ± 3.03 years and fatten 2.24 ± 2.74 cattle per cycle. Body size/frame (index = 0.485) and the health condition of animals (index = 0.162) were the first and second selection criteria to purchase fattening animals. Crop residue (index = 0.26) and agro-industrial by-products (index = 0.33) were the first used feedstuffs in the peri-urban and urban systems, respectively. The mean final body weight of fattening animals was 365.443 ± 1.51 kg with a mean fattening duration of 107.38 + 0.58 days. Feed shortage was the first challenge that fattening households are facing in the peri-urban (index = 0.331) and urban areas (index = 0.290) of Dangila district. The result indicated that cattle fatteners should get the proper advice on animal selection and duration of fattening, feeding, and accessibility to credit service.

The nutritionally imbalanced poor-quality diet feeding is the major constraint of dairy production in tropical regions. Hence, alternative high-quality roughage-based diets are required to improve milk yield and reduce methane emission (CH4). Thus, we tested the effects of feeding natural pasture hay, improved forage grass hays (Napier and Brachiaria Hybrid), and treated crop residues (Eragrostis tef straw) on nutrient digestibility, milk yield, nitrogen balance, and methane emission. The eight lactating Fogera cows selected for the experiment were assigned randomly to a 4 &times, 4 Latin square design. Cows were housed in well-ventilated individual pens and fed a total mixed ration (TMR) comprising 70% roughage and 30% concentrate. The four roughage-based basal dietary treatments supplemented with formulated concentrate were: Control (natural pasture hay (NPH)), treated teff straw silage (TTS), Napier grass hay (NGH), and Brachiaria hybrid grass hay (BhH). Compared with the control diet, the daily milk yield increased (p &lt, 0.01) by 31.9%, 52.9%, and 71.6% with TTS, NGH, and BhH diets, respectively. Cows fed BhH had the highest dry matter intake (8.84 kg/d), followed by NGH (8.10 kg/d) and TTS (7.71 kg/d), all of these intakes were greater (p = 0.01) than that of NPH (6.21 kg/d). Nitrogen digestibility increased (p &lt, 0.01) from the NPH diet to TTS (by 27.7%), NGH (21.7%), and BhH (39.5%). The concentration of ruminal ammonia nitrogen was higher for cows fed NGH than other diets (p = 0.01) and positively correlated with plasma urea nitrogen concentration (R&sup2, = 0.45). Feeding TTS, NGH, and BhH hay as a basal diet changed the nitrogen excretion pathway from urine to feces, which can help protect against environmental pollution. Estimated methane yields per dry matter intake and milk yield were decreased in dairy cows fed BhH, NGH, and TTS diets when compared to cows fed an NPH diet (p &lt, 0.05). In conclusion, feeding of TTS, NGH, and BhH roughages as a basal diet to lactating dairy cows in tropical regions improved nutrient intake and digestibility, milk yield, nitrogen utilization efficiency, and reduced enteric methane emission.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) are key ecological indicators of soil quality in a given landscape. Their status, especially in drought-prone landscapes, is associated mainly with the land-use type and topographic position. This study aimed to clarify the effect of land use and topographic position on SOC and TN stocks to further clarify the ecological processes occurring in the landscape. To analyze the status of SOC and TN, we collected 352 composite soil samples from three depths in the uppermost soil (0&ndash, 50 cm) in four major land-use types (bushland, cropland, grazing land, and plantation) and three topographic positions (upper, middle, and lower) at three sites: Dibatie (lowland), Aba Gerima (midland), and Guder (highland). Both SOC and TN stocks varied significantly across the land uses, topographic positions, and agro-ecosystems. SOC and TN stocks were significantly higher in bushland (166.22 Mg ha&minus, 1) and grazing lands (13.11 Mg ha&minus, 1) at Guder. The lowest SOC and TN stocks were observed in cropland (25.97 and 2.14 Mg ha&minus, 1) at Aba Gerima, which was mainly attributed to frequent and unmanaged plowing and extensive biomass removal. Compared to other land uses, plantations exhibited lower SOC and TN stocks due to poor undergrowth and overexploitation for charcoal and firewood production. Each of the three sites showed distinct characteristics in both stocks, as indicated by variations in the C/N ratios (11&ndash, 13 at Guder, 10&ndash, 21 at Aba Gerima, and 15&ndash, 18 at Dibatie). Overall, land use was shown to be an important factor influencing the SOC and TN stocks, both within and across agro-ecosystems, whereas the effect of topographic position was more pronounced across agro-ecosystems than within them. Specifically, Aba Gerima had lower SOC and TN stocks due to prolonged cultivation and unsustainable human activities, thus revealing the need for immediate land management interventions, particularly targeting croplands. In a heterogeneous environment such as the Upper Blue Nile basin, proper understanding of the interactions between land use and topographic position and their effect on SOC and TN stock is needed to design proper soil management practices.

Mammo M, Alemayehu K, Tassew A. 2017. Conformation traits of dairy cattle populations in selected Districts of Northwestern Amhara, Ethiopia. Biodiversitas 18: 1669-1679. The study was conducted in three selected districts of northwestern Amhara. The objective was to quantify the characteristics of conformation traits of dairy cattle populations at smallholder farmers' level. 279 cattle keepers were selected for measurement of conformation traits. About 105 indigenous cattle from each district and 42 crossbred female cattle were considered for measurement. SPSS (2007) was used to analyze qualitative data and SAS (2014) for quantitative data. The results revealed that the conformation trait measurements (cm) of indigenous cattle had significant variation (P< 0.001) on neck length for dairy type (54.07 ± 4.80) and meat type (51.96 ± 4.05) traits. The width at the point of the shoulder was 7.72 ±1.96, 6.60 ± 1.68 and 5.35 ± 1.61 for meat type, dual type and for dairy type cattle, respectively. A male cattle had significant variation over female except neck length. All qualitative traits were laid intermediate levels (4-6 point) except crossbred which was 63.64 %. About 30% of dairy type cattle had high rear udder depth and 43.33% dairy type cattle had strong central ligament. Crossbred cattle had 42.1% sickled rear leg. In general, about 57.5% dairy type cattle and 95.2% crossbred cattle have very angular shape as 75% of meat type cattle lack angularity. From this research, it could be concluded that there were significant differences of conformation traits between dairy type and beef type cattle from the cattle population considered in the study for developing specialized dairy or beef breed types. As well as indigenous dairy type cattle are comparable to other known dairy cattle breeds like Kanan, Fogera and Barka. However, farmers did not exercise in developing product specific and specialized breeds with their corresponding production system than multipurpose. Thus, selection and appropriate planed breeding program is crucial for future dairy cattle genetic improvement to match genotype and environment and meet producers’ production objectives. Hence, conformation traits can be a vital tool to make decisions on cattle selection and breed improvement.

The study was conducted in three purposively selected districts of South Wollo Zone, Tehulederie, Kalu and Dessie Zuria, intended to analyze the physicochemical properties of beeswax produced in 2015/6. Twenty-six beeswax samples were collected being sourced from honey extract, ‘Tej sefef’, old combs and purchased beeswax blocks and analyzed at Sekota Dry land Agricultural Research Center laboratory according to the standard protocols of Ethiopian Beeswax specifi cation ET-1203-2005 developed by Quality Standard Authority of Ethiopia in 2005.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.

Tassew A, Alemayehu G, Sölkner J, Wurzinger M. 2019. Future of beekeeping in Northwestern Ethiopia: Scenarios, local adaptation measures and its implications for farmers’ livelihoods. Biodiversitas 20: 1633-1643. For this study, a participatory scenario planning approach was used to understand the driving forces, generate the plausible future scenarios of beekeeping, explore local adaptation measures and its implications for farmers’ livelihoods in Northwestern Ethiopia. Data were collected from three watersheds representing different agro-ecological zones. To identify the driving forces, different methods including key informant interviews, focus group discussions, workshops, researchers observations and literature search were applied. The data were analyzed by ranking followed by controllability, cross-impact and consistency analysis. The results show that nineteen driving forces were identified that are contributes to changes in beekeeping. Out of nineteen six most relevant and locally controllable driving forces (watershed development, deforestation, agrochemicals use, government emphasis for beekeeping development, technical support, and farmers' awareness) were selected to develop different plausible and contrasting scenarios. The three plausible and contrasting scenarios for beekeeping in 2025 are: ‘‘repressive'', ‘‘beekeeping advance'' and ‘‘beekeeping on the margins''. The results show that beekeeping significantly contributes to the livelihoods of farmers to 2025 under ‘‘beekeeping advance'' scenario. In the ‘‘beekeeping on the margins'' scenario, beekeeping has low contribution to the livelihoods of farmers. But the beekeeping is in a system of involution in ‘‘repressive'' scenario and has very low contribution to the livelihoods of farmers. The stakeholders were checked the plausibility of the scenarios and selected the ‘‘repressive’’ scenario as the worst, the ‘‘beekeeping advance’’ scenario as the best, and the ‘‘beekeeping on the margins’’ scenario as the business as usual and intervention strategies were developed to transform the current beekeeping into ‘‘beekeeping advance'' scenario. The study has shown that the participation of stakeholders in the scenario planning process provides knowledge relevant for understanding the dynamics and future scenarios of beekeeping. Hence, interventions to be made by concerned stakeholders to improve the beekeeping in the study areas need to focus on addressing the various and complex driving forces through a system wide and context-specific approach.

Susceptibility to lodging is a major constraint on teff production in Ethiopia, but efforts to develop lodging-resistant cultivars have not been successful. We studied the mechanical properties of teff culms and associated agro-morphological traits in field experiments with 320 teff accessions at two sites in northwestern Ethiopia during the 2018 and 2019 growing seasons. The results showed significant variability in both mechanical properties and agro-morphological traits among accessions. Traits contributing to lodging resistance, such as internode diameter, pushing resistance, and base failure moment, were significantly positively correlated with each other and with plant height. Similarly, the correlation of those traits with lodging index was significant and positive. In contrast, tiller number showed a significant negative correlation with lodging index. The peduncle&ndash, panicle length, which generally accounted for 59% of the plant height, should be a target when breeding for semi-dwarfism. Root system development, which reached a depth of more than 1 m in tall and 57 cm in dwarf teff accessions, signifies the presence of genetic variabilities for future root lodging studies in teff, and it may also explain why teff performs well in drought-prone areas of Ethiopia. Breeding programs for lodging resistance might focus on accessions with good standing ability (high base failure moment) and introgression of stem strength with a semi-dwarf phenotype. Alternatively, selection for a large internode diameter, increased pushing resistance and base failure moment, and a reduced tiller number should be considered.

The study was conducted with the objective of to evaluate the potential effects of widely used agro-chemicals on the health status of Apis mellifera scutllata in Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia. Seven different agro-chemicals (2, 4-D, Agrothoate 40% Malathion 50%, pyriban48%, Diazinon 60%, Macozeb 80% and Pallas 45 OD) were commonly applied on various crops in the study area. The acute toxicity of these agro-chemicals to honeybees was tested via feeding, contact and fumigation. The mortalities caused by individual agro-chemical were compared with positive control Agro-thoate40% (Diamethoate) and negative control (honey solution and water). Acute toxicity analysis in the laboratory indicated that all tested agro-chemicals were found significantly toxic to A.m. scuttlata compared to negative control via feeding. Agrothoate 40%, Malathion50% EC and Dianznon 60% were highly toxic with 100% of experimental bee mortality, less than an hour. All agro-chemicals were statically significant toxic to honeybee when compared (P

Livestock contribute 19% of the national GDP, 45% of agricultural GDP and 20% of the export earnings in Ethiopia. They are also contributing to people’s livelihoods as source of food, cash income, liquid asset, diversification of risk, inputs to crop production, cultural value and fuelwood. Livestock are also very important to nutritional and food security, incomes and livelihoods of people in Lake Tana Sub-basin. The livestock production systems in Lake Tana Sub-basin are mainly mixed crop-livestock. Despite the important contribution made by livestock to people’s livelihood in Lake Tana Sub-basin, the productivity of livestock is low due to various challenges. The challenges include land use change, limited access and low use of feed technology, inadequate veterinary service provision, genetic limitation of the indigenous livestock breeds, limited access and high cost of improved breeds, market inefficiency/failure, inadequate research/technology generation, weak linkages among stakeholders, limited access to credit, and climate change are main once. On the other hand, livestock products demand is increasing. This could be due to human population growth and urbanization . This is a good opportunity for livestock keepers to increase livestock products. There have to be policies support, extension services and research to enhance the complementarities between crop and livestock production and integration with watershed management activities. For peri-urban and urban livestock production systems, access to land, access to credit, establishment of milk processing plant, and veterinary service have to be improved. Rural-peri-urban-urban linkages should also be enhanced.

This study was conducted to assess processing, utilization and marketing of traditional dairy products produced in Bahir Dar Zuria and Mecha districts in Northwestern Ethiopia. A single-visit-multiple-subject formal survey was conducted to collect data. A total of 150 households (75 households from each district) were individually interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The major dairy products produced in the study area include butter, ghee, Ayib, Arera (defatted sour milk), Ergo (naturally fermented sour milk), Zure and Metata Ayib. Among these, two of the traditional dairy products, Zure and Metata Ayib, are unique to the area and have never been reported before. The respondents interviewed claim that these products are of high nutritional values and have therapeutic properties. Many aspects of Zure and Metata Ayib such as physico-chemical properties, microbiological and sensory qualities are unknown. Thus, detailed scientific investigation needs to be conducted in order to verify the claimed nutritional and medicinal properties of these products.

This study was carried out to evaluate microbial quality of raw cow’s milk taken at different sampling points from farmers and dairy cooperatives in Bahir Dar Zuria and Mecha district. The overall mean total bacterial count, coliform count and percent lactic acid of milk produced in the study area were 7.58  0.09 log10 cfu/ml, 4.49  0.11 log10 cfu/ml and 0.23%  0.01, respectively. The hygienic quality of raw cow’s milk of the dairy cooperatives was poor with an overall mean total bacteria count, coliform count and percent lactic acid of 8.12 log cfu/ml, 4.94 log cfu/ml and 28 percent, respectively. The overall mean of the predicted probabilities of clot-on-boiling and alcohol tests were 0.23  0.12 and 0.51  0.11, respectively. While, most of the milk samples collected from the dairy cooperatives were likely to clot both by clot-on-boiling and alcohol tests as compared to the samples collected from individual farmers. All the indirect tests and the actual bacterial counts indicated that the microbiological quality of milk produced by farmers and collected by the dairy cooperatives in the study area was poor and this call for scrupulous hygienic measures during production and handling of milk.

A study on incidence of foot and mouth disease (FMD) was conducted at Andassa Government Dairy Farm during July to August 2008 with the objective of determining the incidence rate and to evaluate the effect of the disease on milk yield. The overall incidence of foot and mouth disease in dairy cattle of the farm was 14.55%. The incidence rate in Fogera cattle (15.52%) was significantly (p > 0.05) higher than that of Holstein-Friesian cross cattle (2.50%). The average milk yield ahead of 10 days of FMD infection (1182.86±32.13) was found significantly (p