Livestock Farmers’ Characteristics of Bali Cattle Fattening in West Timor (Case Study on Farmers Group Nekmese, Usapinonot, North Central Timor, East Nusa Tenggara)

Abstract

The research aims was to study the farmers’ characteristics of Bali cattle fattening at the farm people to obtain a variety of information that can become a reference in order to increase the capacity of farmers to manage beef cattle fattening. Research was carried out from December 2014 to March 2015 which is a wet month and July until August 2015 representing a dry month, in Farmers Group Nekmese in Usapinonot Village, West Insana District, North Central Timor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province. The method used was survey and direct observations in the eld. Animal groups target were selected using purposive sampling method with the criteria having and raising livestock fattening males at least one bull. To obtain more in-depth information and interviews, discussions was conducted with the chairman and members of farmer groups using questionnaires. Measurement variables included age, gender, level of education and experience of farming. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results of research showed the age of the farmers at the level of productive age with an average 30-64 years, with a male farmers’ distribution by 47.17%, while 52.83% of women farmers. The average of level education of farmers was not school 9.431%., primary school 84.91%, junior high school 1.89% and senior high school 3.77%. Judging from the experience of farming, most farmers (30.19%) had experience in raising cattle more than 14 years, the remaining 10 -13 years experience farmers of 26.42%; 6 - 9 years 18.88%; 2 - 5 years 13.21% and less than 2 years at 9.43%. Livestock rearing was still done traditionally with low quality and quantity feed control, minimum health controls, while fattening cattle age varies and the fattening period average 7 - 9 months. It was concluded that characteristics of farmer needs to be improved, especially in the aspect of formal and non-formal education so the farmers’ capacity/ability in technology adoption and management of cattle fattening was more optimal.