Feasibility of Introducing Feeding Technology on Beef Cattle Fattening in Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara

Abstract

This activity was part of the acceleration programs in order to support the improvement of beef cattle beef self-sufficiency in East Nusa Tenggara which was held in South Central Timor in the period of 2010-2014. The materials used in the assessment were natural grasses, herbaceous legume, and concentrates derived from agricultural byproduct such as bran, cassava fractions, skin pod green beans, corn, husks and cobs of corn, pith of Corypha elata robx, and Gliricidia sepium leaves. The study purpose was to know the feasibility of feeding technology made from herbaceous legume and concentrates which created based on local ingredients. Financial Analysis results showed that this feeding technology gave additional revenue compared the existed technology in nominal value (Rp 9,504,600; Rp 9,303,200; and Rp 3,875,400) and R/C (1.84; 1.23; and 1.17) point of view. The quantity, quality and continuity of forage is still a major obstacle until now. This is due to availability depends on the season, while many alternative technologies that can be applied by farmer, one of which is herbaceous legumes and concentrates derived from local raw materials. In conclusion, concentrate feeding technology was highly feasible to be developed as a low cost alternative feeding as well as utilizing crop byproduct.