Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/30837
Title: Farmers' Perceptions of Dairy Cattle Breeds, Breeding and Feeding Strategies: A Case of Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Western Kenya
Contributor(s): Lukuyu, M N (author); Gibson, J P  (author)orcid ; Savage, D B  (author); Rao, E J O (author); Ndiwa, N (author); Duncan, A J (author)
Publication Date: 2019
Early Online Version: 2019-10-14
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1080/00128325.2019.1659215
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/30837
Abstract: To understand farmers' preference and perceptions of breed attributes, breeding and feeding practices, 419 households in western Kenya were interviewed in a cross-sectional survey. Respondents scored their preference for cattle breeds, traits and breeding methods on a scale of 1 (most preferred) to 5 (least preferred). Preferences were compared using multinomial logistic regression models on weighted scores. The Ayrshire breed was most preferred followed by the Friesian. Using hardship tolerance as a reference trait, the Friesian was preferred 4.86 times more for high milk production and Ayrshire, Jersey and Guernsey breeds 4.61, 4.60 and 4.18 times (p < 0.01) more, respectively, for milk fat content. The Ayrshire was preferred 4.16 times more for its perceived low feed requirement and 1.22 times more (p < 0.01) for resistance to diseases. Friesian was the only breed preferred (3.18 times more) (p < 0.01) for high growth rate of calves. Artificial insemination (AI) was the breeding method of choice, but majority (>68%) of respondents used natural mating, because it was readily available and cheaper. The current study highlights the importance of taking into account farmers' objectives and the production environment when designing breed improvement programmes and recommends packaging of breeding together with feeding interventions.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 83(4), p. 351-367
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Place of Publication: South Africa
ISSN: 2313-450X
0012-8325
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 300305 Animal reproduction and breeding
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 100402 Dairy cattle
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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