Effect of pre and postpartum supplementation of cows with urea molasses multinutrient blocks (UMMB) on the performance of their calves

A study was conducted in a typical village to evaluate the effect of pre and postpartum supplementation (UMMB) of indigenous cows on the performance of their calves. Thirty-two cows were supplemented with UMMB from 6 months of prepartum to 6 months of postpartum period and 30 cows were fed only traditional feed (without UMMB) . The cows were milked once a day in the morning. The calves were tied up at the night and allowed to free access or suckling to the dams during the whole day. The birth weight of the calves in supplemented (UMMB) group (14.61 kg) was significantly (P0.05) higher than the control group (12.00-kg). Similarly, live weight gain of supplemented calves was also significantly (P0.01) effected by the cows supplemented with UMMB (117 g/d) than the cows without UMMB (56 g/d). The mortality was 9% in control group whereas no calf did not died during the experimental period. So, it can be concluded that supplementation to pre and postpartum cows with UMMB can have better effect on the performance of their calves.