GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF YOUNG BALI CATTLE UNDER VARIOUS FEEDING MANAGEMENT

Abstract

Bali cattle is one of Indonesian native breed which has been spread out by the
government across the country for decades. About 30% of the total cattle population in Indonesia is Bali cattle. As native breed, Bali cattle has many superiority in some aspects such high efficiency to use low quality diet, high reproductive perfonnance, an ideal animal to work in the field and the ability to adapt in a harsh environment. Bali cattle are mainly kept by small holder farmers for biological, social and economic roles. The feeding system is mostly based on natural grazing or cut and carry systems. These phenomenon in fact influence the growth performance of Bali cattle. Although some observation indicated a variation data in growth rate, generally under natural grazing management, Bali cattle showed low average daily gain (ADG) (0.20 kg/d). However, when additional feed (high quality feed) was given, Bali cattle could grow at higher rate (which up to maximum 0.87 kg/d). It is thus concluded that although genetically Bali cattle has low growth rates, a better feed can result in increasing ADG.