BUFFALO CALVES. Calves eventually serve as the productive unit of the herd and need to be protected, managed, and fed properly for their population to grow economically at an optimum rate. Underfeeding significantly reduces growth rates to 50% during the rearing phase which may cause delayed puberty. Castillo et al. (2023) studied the effects of hydroponic corn fodder on the growth performance of buffalo calves. Supplementing buffalo calves’ diets with hydroponic corn fodder could have a beneficial effect on their growth performance and economic viability. Overall, hydroponic corn production has a great potential as a sustainable source of fodder for ruminants to support the nutritional requirements.
{Photograph courtesy of Mikee A. Antonio, Philippine Carabao Center at Central Luzon State University, Science City of Nueva Ecija}
