Evaluation of calf starter meals for raising dairy calves in Botswana

Abstract

In dairy, calves are the future replacement stock and need special attention including a good feed management system to attain better conversion efficiency and desired liveweight gains. The Department of Agricultural Research developed a calf starter meal (NEW) from locally available feed resources. The NEW meal was compared with existing meals: SBL and VAN during an on-station trial and, Deo Volente and Derust during an on-farm trial. Thirty-three and 25 pre-weaned Friesian calves with an average initial weight of 38.3 ± 2.5kg and 37.3 ± 1.9kg were randomly allocated to the different diets during the on-station and on-farm trials, respectively. Consumption of the NEW calf meal was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than that of SBL and VAN diets, significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that of Derust diet and comparable to Deo Volente diet (p > 0.05). The feed conversion ratio of the NEW diet was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than diets for the on-station trial and comparable to diets for the on-farm trials (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in body weight gains across the diets. The NEW diet had a lower cost per body weight gain of a calf and a better efficiency of feed utilization compared to all the other diets. The attributes of the NEW diet were rated highly during the on-farm trials. In conclusion, the NEW meal compared relatively well with the other commercial diets used by dairy farmers. The NEW diet is made of locally available resources; cheaper and hence, it can be used to feed dairy calves.