Now,formula milk for calves

Dairy Development Board of Punjab is promoting milk substitute for better growth of calves

That mothers milk is best for newborns holds true not only for human beings,but also for animals. A newborn cow or buffalo calf needs mothers milk for at least three months,but it has been by and large seen that newborn calves are not paid adequate attention at dairy farms in the country.

But things may soon change in Punjab. The calves deprived of mothers milk will have an equally nutritious substitute that will be available in powder form and can be given to them in feeding bottles. The Dairy Development Board of Punjab is busy promoting the substitute milk from Holland by conducting seminars across the state.

Says Dr Inderjeet Singh,Director,Diary Development: This milk substitute is very popular in Holland the country that has done wonders in dairy industry. Taking lessons from them,we are also trying to promote this milk among the dairy farmers here. I have observed dairy farmers are not taking good care of newborn calves because rearing them is a costly proportion. Once the milk substitute is introduced,the calf can be switched over to this after five days of compulsory mothers feed.

According to the department,the powder milk will cost Rs 12-13 a kg. Dr Inderjeet claims the formula milk has all essential vitamins and proteins. Besides,he says,this can ensure controlled feeding. Moreover,the results in Holland have shown better growth of the animals through the milk replacers, he claims.

According to the department,the overall cost of rearing a calf to a cow in a normal manner comes out to nearly Rs 75,000. But after buying a cow for nearly Rs 60,000 from the open market,dairy owners are usually not interested in spending so much on raising a calf,or even keeping it with them.

Admitting this,D S Oberoi,president of Tajpur Road Dairy Association,says: Because of lack of space within the dairies and the high cost involved in rearing the calves,dairy farmers normally dont keep the young animals with them.

But Dr Inderjeet says if the calves are given the milk substitute,their rearing cost can be reduced because the dairy farmers will be able to sell more quantity of milk by saving the amount consumed by the calves.

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Farmers are,however,not much convinced with the idea. We have not yet seen the results. The department needs to show us results. For a farmer,it is more like the dabbe wala doodh packed milk powder available for humans in the market. Though the projected results are attractive,we want to see something in practical, says Oberoi,giving the feedback of dairy farmers.

The Dairy Development Board says they will conduct extensive seminars in the state in the coming six months and show trials to the farmers. Dr Inderjeet claims that once it is well accepted,a Holland-based company will start a manufacturing plant of the milk powder in Punjab to reduce the cost.

Calf hostel

Dairy farmers are demanding setting up of calves hostels in different parts of the state where farmers can take sheds on rent or on lease and take care of the calves. At present,because of congested dairies in most cities,the calves are not being taken care of. The project has been submitted by the Ludhiana Dairy Association to the Dairy Development Board.