Cattle farming practices, trait preferences and breeding failures in smallholder cattle farming in Hambantota, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Cattle productivity can be significantly enhanced through breed improvement, but farmers’ trait preferences must be considered when improving the genetic make-up of local cattle breeds. This study investigated the breeding practices, trait preferences, and factors contributing to breeding failures among cattle farmers in the Hambantota district, Sri Lanka. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire administered to 200 randomly selected smallholder cattle farmers from all the veterinary regions in the Hambantota district. The analysis revealed that 52%, 34% and 14% of the farmers had an extensive, semi-intensive or an intensive farming system, respectively. All the famers (99.5%) practised crossbreeding system while natural service was the predominant breeding method. Traits i.e., milk yield, body size, calf survival, heat tolerance, disease and tick resistance, and calving interval affected (p<0.001) the selection of a cattle breed with the highest mean ranking value for milk yield. Feed shortage, harsh environmental conditions, improper application of artificial insemination, inadequate housing, predator attacks, poor veterinary services, limited knowledge in breeding and heat sign detection contributed to breeding failures (p<0.001). In the extensive and semi-intensive systems, feed scarcity, harsh environmental conditions, and predator attacks contributing to breeding failures are inherent in rural smallholder cattle production in Hambantota district. The study recommends that future cattle breeding programmes need to prioritise milk yield without compromising body size, calf survival, heat tolerance, disease and tick resistance, and calving interval. Regular and expanded veterinary services also need to be prioritised.