CROSSBRED CALF MORTALITY AND MANAGEMENTAL PRACTICES IN OPERATIONAL AREA OF DAIRY VIGYAN KENDRA

The study objective is to know the prevailing crossbred calf mortality & managemental practices in the operational area of Dairy Vigyan Kendra (DVK), Vejalpur, Gujarat, India. A total of 300 crossbred cattle owners from 30 villages of 10 talukas were selected using the simple random sampling method for the study from August to December 2022. The data were collected based on the pre-tested structured interview schedule. Overall crossbred calf mortality was observed 33.70 per cent in the study area. There was a higher mortality rate in male calves (56.78%) than in female crossbred calves (16.98%) due to limited attention towards the male calf. The mortality rate was recorded higher during the first three months of age (70.78%) and during the monsoon (39.72%). The primary reason for calf mortality was malnutrition/ male calf negligence. Farmers urgently need extension services on scientific calf rearing practices such as providing concentrate feed, cutting navel cord with the sterilized object, providing milk as per body weight, on-time colostrum feeding, provision of milk replacer, calf starter, salt, mineral mixture, deworming, and vaccinations against diseases.