Assessment of Beef Cattle Husbandry Practices in North Shoa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

The study was conducted with the objectives of assessment of beef cattle husbandry practice in North Shoa Zone, Amhara Regional State. The data were collected through semi structured questionnaire, group discussions and field observation. A total of 490 households were randomly selected and interviewed by using pre-tested questioner. Statistical package for social science (SPSS 16) were used to analyze the collected data. Majority of respondents 70.0% 73.9% and 61.9% provide supplementary feed for their calves, manage their calves together with other animal and fatten exotic breeds respectively. Based on the respondent's response 87.6% practice culling and the main reasons of culling animals were aging (52.2%), Infertility (10.3%), unhealthy (22.8%), deformed conformation (6.2%) and unwanted color (0.3%). Modern treatment (85%) and government clinics were more preferred by the farmers and 89.4% of farmers vaccinate their animal. Most farmers 57.7% and 67.9% have their own grazing land and conserve both hey and straw respectively. Concentrate or industrial by product utilization was limited wheat bran utilization was zero in Basonaworana and Ankober woreda and oilseed cake also zero in Minjarshenkora, Efratanagidim and Ankober Woredas. 60.8% of the respondents provide separate house for their cattle. The intervention which will be done in the future should consider the existing traditional management and herding practices.