Some of the breeds that are bred specifically for beef include Boran, Sahiwal (and its crosses) and Fleckvieh. In Kenya, the majority of small-scale farmers keep these breeds under zero-grazing or semi-zero grazing units. Dairy cattle breeds like Friesian, Aryshire and Jersey are usually reared for milk in intensive systems. Usually, farmers keep cattle either for milk or beef, or both. In situations where forage quality is poor late in the grazing season, creep feeding is a management tool to keep bull calves growing, and can be a weaning management tool. “Bulls can be started on creep feed immediately but creep feed intake will vary among calves. Creep feeding then becomes an option based on cowherd goals, forage type and availability and marketing. Should you creep feed bull calves?īull calves, like all calves, need timely, high-quality colostrum at birth which is critical to future health and performance. Beef farming is a profitable venture because of the huge demand for beef which is currently not being met through local production.įarmers can raise or buy calves or weaners, then feed and fatten them for slaughter. The enterprise is particularly suitable for the dry mid-altitude and dry transitional zones like Machakos, Makueni, Kitui, Taita Taveta, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties. A number of readers have asked if it is possible to start a beef enterprise using bull calves from dairy farms.
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