Do you have a problem getting enough good quality feed for your cow?
Poor feeding leads to poor health and low milk production, which means that you get less
money from the sale of produce from your cow.
Four diets for more milk have been tested by scientists and farmers in the highlands of
western Kenya.
THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN DO (STEP 1)
Think about the feeds you have on your farm and what your cow needs.
Good feed for cows must have at least 1 food from each of 3 sources: PROTEIN, ENERGY
AND MINERALS.
Food found on smallholder farms in Western Kenya
ENERGY FOODS
Like ugali for your family
* Natural grasses
* Napier grass PROTEIN SOURCES Mix d
* Reject maize
PROTEIN FOODS
Like eggs or beans you give to your children
* Bean straw
* Sweet potato vines
FOOD THAT FILLS
* Banana pseudostems
* Maize stover
STEP 2
Look at the options for improving the diet of the cows.
Extra feeds that you can give your cow to improve her health and production
ENERGY SOURCES
* Molasses
* Maize germ
* Wheat germ
PROTEIN SOURCES
* Fodder trees (Calliandra, Sesbania, Leucaena
* Desmodium
* Poultry waste
* Lucerne
* Omena
* Sunflower
MINERAL SOURCE
Dairy lick
FOOD THAT FILLS Farmers and scientists tested different diets.
Banana pseudostems The examples of balanced diets shown on this
Maize stover leaflet can guide you. They all have the right amount of energy, protein and
minerals to meet the needs of a lactating cow.
Remember to use the amounts given to Your get a balanced diet.
3. HOW TO BALANCE A DIET
EXAMPLES
DIET 1
This diet can give farmers up to 8.5 bottles of milk. It will cost KES 29 a day and gives KES 89 a day. Farmers will need a quarter of an acre of Napier grass or roadside grass to feed their cows all year round.
DIET 2
This diet can give 12 bottles of milk. It costs KES 51 a day to and gives you up to KES 120 a day.
DIET 3
This diet can give you up to 13 bottles of milk. It costs KES 52 a day and gives you up to KES 130 a day.
DIET 4
This diet can give you up to 13 bottles of milk. It costs KES 60 a day and gives you up to KES 130 a day.