Feedback - Calf feeding program

A retired primary school teacher Rael Masereti from Cheptororiet village in Belgut constituency is counting her blessing after her jersey cow gave birth to twins, a heifer and a bull.PHOTO: STANDARD

EXPERT: My name is James Nderitu and I am an ardent reader of Smart Harvest. I am an animal health practitioner and have tackled various topics on small holder dairy farming on this platform. Today, I want to write about calf feeding.

The primary concern in rearing the newborn calf is to ensure it remains healthy. Feeding management should also be directed at addressing nutrient requirements and encouraging rumen development. While designing a calf feeding programme, the aim should be to reduce mortality rate while maintaining a growth rate of about 400-500g per day.