| dc.description.abstract | A cross sectional study was conducted in Kigarama sub county Sheema district, Western Uganda to determine farmer factors affecting the use and performance of AI among dairy farms. It mainly focused on the area extension workers, AI technicians and the dairy farmers. A total of 50 farms were selected using both the sampling method and the criterion of the farm producing at least 5 litres per day. On the other, all extension workers were selected and included 2 AI technicians and 2 veterinary officers. The study was to profile the current performance of AI using conception rate alongside the associated factors and to determine the constraints faced by dairy farmers. AI use was found to be 26% and it was associated with age of a farmer, availability and use of extension services and cattle ownership (P<0.05). However, there was no relationship between use of AI with breed of the animal, education of the farmer, occupation and period of keeping animals (experience) (P>0.05). The performance of AI was at 2 SC-1 due to mainly the farmer’s ability to detect heat early, time of insemination and finally quality of AI service and semen used. A great number of farmers admitted knowing that borrowed bulls may bring in diseases to the farm but continued with the practice. It was also noted that AI technicians lacked current techniques, as they had never been retrained. | en_US |
