Study design

A survey of households from various villages was planned to provide information about the Orma pastoralists and their cattle management practices. The study also aimed to gather data on levels of milk production of their cows. Twelve villages from two locations were visited during the course of the study, 48 households from different manyattas (villages) were selected and the household heads interviewed. At the same time milk offtakes were measured in selected cows in lactation at the household.

The households were identified using purposive sampling with the help of the chief of the village. On the day of interview, milk offtake (i.e. the amount of milk collected for human consumption apart from that consumed by the calf) for both morning and evening milking was determined using a calibrated plastic measuring jar to an accuracy of 50 ml. Milk offtakes from a total of 164 cows were collected and the respective ages of calves recorded, as reported by the owner.