Abstract:

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the calf rearing practices of cattle farmers in Askale district of Erzurum province. Materials and Methods: For this purpose, data were obtained by conducting a face-to-face survey with 221 farms in the center and villages of Aşkale district. Results: According to the findings obtained in the study, colostrum is given to calves for 3 days in 72.8% of the farms. It was also determined that the calves were fed colostrum by suckling their dams in majority of the farms (82.2%), the calves were separated from their dams immediately after birth (24.6%) or 1 day (28.0%) after birth. Dry hay (73.8%) took the first place in the roughage sources used in the farms, followed by straw (48.4%) and alfalfa (34.8%). Calf feed is mostly preferred as concentrate feed in the farms. It was found out that the applications of septicemia serum (25.8%) and umbilical cord care (31.7%) were performed at minority of the farms. As a result of this, the rate of the farms had at least one calf death in a year (96.1%) was found to be quite high in the district. It was also determined that 87.6% of calf deaths were caused by diarrhea. Moreover, 15.0% of the farms were determined to be practicing dehorning. The relationships between the number of calves dying per year, septicemia serum and dehorning process practices and the farm size were found to be significant. However, relationships between farm size and calf feeding practices are insignificant. Conclusion: It was determined that the farm in Aşkale district have deficiencies in calf health, feeding and raising. In order to reduce the calf deaths awareness of the farm owners about the vaccination and other preventive health should be increased in the district. Cattle farm owners in the district should be included in training programs on animal health, feeding and breeding. In addition, intensification of agricultural extension services in rural areas will be beneficial for cattle farmers in the district.

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