Page 231 - Agriculture_Form_Three

Agriculture for Secondary Schools

animal. A successfully bred and managed animal will conceive and carry pregnancy
for the whole gestation period. Proper care and management of cows will give
healthy calves and more milk yield in the successive lactations. Two months before
calving, feed the cow with sufficient good quality feed (steaming up) to meet the
requirements for the rapid growth of the foetus. It is also necessary for the mammary
development and to recoup body reserves necessary for better milk production in the
coming lactation. This is achieved through drying off and steaming up.

Drying off: It is a gradual stopping from milking a cow 45 - 60 days before parturition.
This is after ten 10 months of milking or 7 months of pregnancy. The importance of
drying off include the following:
(a) Allows repair and maintenance of the mammary gland.
(b) Allows body maintenance of the dam and the growing foetus.
(c) Gives time for the synthesis of colostrum for the expected calf.
(d) Increases milk production in the successive lactations.
(e) The calf is born vigorous and healthy.

Steaming up: It is a process of providing extra nutritious feeds over and above the
maintenance need during the last two months of pregnancy. This is done as follows:
(a) Provide extra concentrates of about 1 - 2 kg twice a day with good quality
leguminous fodder. Keep the cow not too fat nor too thin.
(b) Provide the cow with enough clean water and protect it against heat stress.
(c) Allow moderate exercise to keep the cow fit.

Management of pregnant cow just before calving

Two weeks before calving, separate the cow from the general herd and keep in a
calving pen. Calving pen should be well cleaned and disinfected against disease

causing agents. Heifers should be introduced to the milking parlour and be trained
to get accustomed to milking by often taking them to the milking parlour. Massage
the udder gently.
(a) Provide comfortable bedding for the pregnant cow.
(b) Avoid transportation of heavily pregnant animals. Pregnant animals which are
more than 8 months should not be allowed to move long distances.
(c) Avoid slippery floors and prevent injury to the udder as it distends near calving.

Management during parturition
Pregnant animals should be watched closely during parturition. You will know that
the cow is about to calve when the belly has increased in size, especially on the
right flank of the cow, the udder is filling up and the teats are stiffening, the vulva

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AGRICULTURE FORM 3 9.11.2022.indd 220 10/01/2025 12:32