The use of preserved colostrum for rearing replacement dairy calves: calf performance, economics and on-farm practicability in Kenya.
A total of 133 observations on mean daily mass gains from 19 calves reared on either whole milk (control) or preserved colostrum (treatment) were estimated. The control group had a total of 104 observations computed, while the treatment group had a total of 29 observations. There was no significant difference in the overall mean daily mass gains between the treatment and control groups which were 0.2257 and 0.3607 kg, respectively (P < 0.1). Partial budgeting analysis estimated that with an annual calf crop of 80 calves, the use of preserved colostrum would result in a direct saving of an estimated US$1,800 per year for the farm.
Karioki
D I
DI
Department of Clinical Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Gitau
G K
GK
Munyua
S J
SJ
D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development*; D002417:Cattle; D003126:Colostrum; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003612:Dairying / Q000191:economics*; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde; D007630:Kenya; D008892:Milk; D011247:Pregnancy; D011309:Preservation, Biological / Q000379:methods
D005557:Formaldehyde