Factors Associated with Body Weight Attainment in Calves on Smallholder Dairy Farms in Tanzania

Jelly Senyangwa Chang'A,Robinson H Mdegela,Torleiv Løken,Olav Reksen

doi:10.4236/ojvm.2012.22011

Jelly Senyangwa Chang'A, Robinson H Mdegela + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4236/ojvm.2012.22011

Copy DOI

Abstract

In order to investigate associations between individual calf parameters and/or herd management practices and dairy calf body weight (BW) attainment in smallholder farms in Tanzania, a prospective study was carried out at 121 farms in Mvomero and Njombe districts and included 156 crossbred dairy calves. Information on management factors and sources of calf drinking water were collected by personal observation and interview during four visits. At each visit, BW assessments were conducted by the same veterinarian and blood samples collected. The blood samples were analyzed for hematological parameters, total blood protein, glucose, and serum phosphorus and urea. Low BW was associated with smaller amount of milk fed to calves, early weaning, birth during the wet season, and well/tap water as the main water source (P < 0.05). Low blood total protein, high urea, low phosphorus and low hemoglobin concentrations were also associated with retarded growth. These findings identified and quantified some critical factors that can guide farmers in improving calf performance on smallholder dairy farms in Tanzania. To improve calf BW, the protein and mineral fraction of the roughage should be increased and water supply should be improved. In conclusion, appropriate changes in milk feeding routines and breeding management would also be expected to improve productivity.

Highlights

A sustainable dairy production system depends on good herd management
These findings identified and quantified some critical factors that can guide farmers in improving calf performance on smallholder dairy farms in Tanzania
Infectious diseases seem unlikely to be the primary reason for impaired growth of smallholder dairy calves in Tanzania [2], and inadequate feeding is probably the major reason for retarded calf growth

Summary

Introduction

A sustainable dairy production system depends on good herd management. It is important to understand reasons for growth impairment in calves because growth influences the time of first breeding, as well as age and body weight (BW) at first calving. Infectious diseases seem unlikely to be the primary reason for impaired growth of smallholder dairy calves in Tanzania [2], and inadequate feeding is probably the major reason for retarded calf growth. Nutrition of young dairy calves is critical for their future productivity. Adequate amounts of high quality colostrum at birth, sufficient quantities of milk, appropriate weaning management, sufficient intake of dry feed and water, and good disease control strategies are all of great importance for the overall well-being and growth of young calves [5,6,7]. These, in turn, result in subnormal growth that is associated with a wide range of conditions including anorexia, fever or lymphadenopathy [8]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion