Abstract
Some of the recommended calf management related techniques were evaluated under field conditions of Toba
Tek Singh with the support of Endowment Fund Secretariat University of Agriculture Faisalabad.The objective
was technology transfer through trials as adoption trend of techniques boost through this way. For this purpose,
three trials were conducted and in each trial recommended technique was compared with the traditional practice
that was on going. In first trial, ten calves were fed colostrum within an hour post milking and other ten calves
after dam placenta expulsion. Data related to calf health, dam health, time of placenta expulsion was recorded.
Study results indicated that up to 90% calves remained healthy due to timely colostrum feeding but 50% calves in
second group showed the symptoms of white scour and bloat frequently up to two months age and 30% calves
died. Time of placenta expulsion decreased to a large extent due to in time colostrum feeding as 90 % dams
expel placenta with in 2 hour post calving. However, time of placenta expulsion increase due to delayed colostrum
feeding as 50 % dams expel placenta at 12 hours, 30 % at 3 hours post calving and 20 % showed the problem of
retained placenta. Delayed placenta expulsions lead to mastitis (30 %), metritis (20 %) and pro laps (20%) during
a study period of 2 months. In second trial, 16 calves were selected and divided into two groups. One group was
fed the milk through artificial mean (bottle) and other group as farmer's routine (direct suckling). Data regarding
body condition of calf and dam udder / teat status was recorded up to 2 months. Direct suckling was found
injurious both for calf and dam. About 70% calves remained underfed and others overfed. Fifty % calves
damaged the teats of dams by teeth and 30 % dams showed the symptoms of mastitis. However, feeding the
calves through artificial means get the exact quantity of milk (10% of body weight) and remained healthy (87.5 %)
and in good condition. In third trial, effect of naval cord care was determined on calves' health. For this purpose,
the naval cord of eight calves was properly cut and sprayed and other group kept as such (no naval cord cut and
care as farmer's routine). These calves remained under observation up to 2 months age. Trial results indicated
that naval cord care kept all the calves safe from omphalitis. However, in untreated group 50% calves showed the
symptoms of omphalitis and 25 % died due to septicemia.
