Characterization of Natural Production Environment of Ogaden Cattle Breed in Wabeshebele zone of Somali Regional State in Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to characterize natural production environment of Ogaden cattle breed. Questionnaire used for the study was designed using the general information developed by FAO (2012). 3 districts and 6 kebeles were purposely and 126 cattle keepers were randomly selected for data collection. The studied variables were farming, cattle breeding practice, purpose of keeping, selection criteria, feeding, health care and veterinary service, income and non-income function, and cattle production constraints. SAS version 9.2, 2008 software was used for data analysis. 30.16% were pastoral while 69.84% were agro-pastoral. Significant difference seen between districts in crop land holding, but no significant difference between districts in forage land holding. Cattle keepers prefer to keep local Ogaden cattle breed and were practicing pure breeding. Majority of them do not produce adequate pasture. They treat diseased animals by traditional method (57.94%). Male cattle were kept for socio-cultural purpose whilst female cattle were kept for milk production. None of the agro-pastoral respondents have recalled that they use draught power and manure of cattle. Cow milk in the study area has taken the first line consumed by the livestock owners and generating daily income for their family need among other livestock products making cattle the most important livestock species. Prolonged feed shortage was the first cattle production constraint. The cattle keeping society in the studied area appeared to have distinct culture and tradition of keeping and utilization cattle.