Ethiopia has the largest livestock population in Africa (Hussen et al. 2008; Solomon et al.
2003).The livestock subsector comprised 11 percent of national GDP and 24 percent of
agricultural GDP between the years of 1995/96 and 2005/061
, and is a source of revenue for
60–70 percent of the population (NBE 2005/06;Halderman 2004). According to Negassa and
Jabbar (2008), 80 percent of smallholder farmers own cattle, 31–38 percent own sheep, and
21–33 percent own goats. Previous research suggests that the combination of livestock
species owned by smallholders varies spatially given availability of feed, human population
density, and intended function of livestock species. In highly populated areas, smaller
livestock (sheep, goats, etc.) are preferred over large animals that require large expanses of
grazing land. In the highlands where crop production requires intensive tillage, draft animals
such as oxen or mules are necessary (Jabbar, Negassa, and Gidyelew 2007). This spatial
variation in livestock population, coupled with other factors such as population density,
grazing land availability, and access to markets has implications in grazing land
management and livestock markets. Understanding spatial variations within the livestock
economy is crucial in order to devise a feasible, more geographically targeted livestock
policy.