Reproductive performance of dairy cows on smallholder dairy farms in Kiambu district, Kenya: design, methodology and development considerations

Abstract

A study on 92 randomly sampled smallholder dairy farms from selected dairy societies and society member farms in Central Kenya was conducted to estimate reproductive indices to assess their associations with husbandry and management practices. Data on farm characteristics of interest were collected by a survey questionnaire and reproductive examination of individual cows conducted monthly. An overall average herd calving interval was 633 days with marked variability (308-1256 days). This was much higher than previously reported in another study in Kenya but consistent with other studies in Africa. Calving interval for dairy societies was 8.7% and dairy member farms 11.1%. Variability between dairy societies was due to only one dairy society in Limuru, Kiambu district whose farms had on average herd calving interval of 481 days. This was the only society among those sampled which provided AI, veterinary support, feeds on credit and other services to it's members. Moderate variability among farms indicate that farm management probably has a moderate influence on reproductive performance. Late oestrus detection was a particular problem on many farms as evidenced by the long average calving to first oestrus interval of 279 days