Corn and Cattle Integration to Support NTB’s One Million Cattle Program in Lombok Island

Abstract

Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) has launched competitive program called PIJAR (ab. Cattle, Corn and Seaweed). Corn development program will not only improve its main production but also its by-products such as leaves, stems, cobs and husks. On the other hand, its by-products are limitedly used for livestock feeding while farmers have difficulty in getting feeds during dry season. Several studies on corn and cattle integration have been conducted, especially outside NTB, but no one has provided data on their contribution to livestock productivity and farmer income with group systems. The research findings in year 1 were, (1) The daily weight gain of fattening cattle with fresh rice straw mixed ration fed 12.5 kg with bran 2.5 kg/head/day for 49 days was an average of 0.37 kg per head per day, (2) The production of fresh corn straw, harvested at the age of about 80 days was 47,67 kg per ha or in dried form 9,53 kg or 20% of fresh straw weight, (3) With harvested area of 76,447 ha, the production of fresh corn straw in NTB could reach 3,643,999 tons and 1,267,656 tons in Lombok island, (4) With fresh corn straw of 13 kg and additional feed of 2.5 kg per head per day each hectare of corn planted land can accommodate about 10 cattle, and (5) Farmers have not implemented a model of optimal integration of corn and cattle farming. The results of the second year research were: (1) farmer group-livestock management was not optimal yet, livestock farming was still conducted traditionally, (2) livestock breeders were relatively more responsive to technological innovation, (3) feed technology had crucial role in development group, (4) giving of silage as much as 22 kg per day to the weighted average cow 167 kg could produce daily weight gain 0,42 kg; (5) cattle with an average body weight of 191.5 kg produce wet dirt 11.43 kg per day and become dried manure 2.61 kg per day. The research concludes that corn crops in NTB have the potential to accommodate around 700,000 heads of cattle and in Lombok around 267,156 heads. In addition, group system can further improve productivity and hence farmers’ income.