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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 48(7)

Improving calf survival and performance by supplementation in Bali cattle

I. G. N. Jelantik A , M. L. Mullik A , C. Leo-Penu A , J. Jeremias A and R. Copland B C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A University of Nusa Cendana, Kupang, Indonesia.

B School of Animal Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: R.Copland@uq.edu.au

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48(7) 954-956 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA08038
Submitted: 15 January 2008  Accepted: 23 March 2008   Published: 20 June 2008

Abstract

An on-farm experiment was conducted in several villages in the district of Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara Province (NTT), Indonesia from June to October 2007. The experiment investigated the efficacy of a supplementation strategy to improve calf survival and performance during the dry season. A total of 258 Bali (Banteng, Bos javanicus) cow–calf pairs were used in the experiment. Calves from the 190 cow–calf pairs in the treatment groups were allocated grass hay + concentrate supplementation as follows: 1% (n = 98), 2% (n = 56) and 3% (n = 42) of calf bodyweight. There were 62 cow–calf pairs in the unsupplemented control group. The supplement consisted of grass hay and concentrate (rice bran, cornmeal, leucaena leaf and fish meal) containing 18% crude protein. The supplement was introduced to calves in the morning while confined to calf pens when the dams were grazing. Calves were reunited with the cows during the night. Parameters measured were calf mortality, calf and cow daily gain, and milk production. Supplementation tended to reduce calf mortality (P = 0.094) from 6.4% in control to 0% in calves receiving 2% and 3% supplement. Levels of supplementation significantly (P < 0.001) improved calf daily weight gain. Bodyweight changes and milk production of cows were unaffected by calf supplementation. It can be concluded that supplementation at 2% calf bodyweight reduces calf mortality and improves calf weight gain.

Additional keywords: strategic supplementation, Bali calves, rice bran, liveweight, body measurements.


Acknowledgements

This research was funded by The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, project LPS/2006/005 Evaluating strategies to improve bali calf survival in West Timor villages. The research was conducted by a research team from the Centre for Cattle Research and Development, University of Nusa Cendana, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia.


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