Optimum utilization of feed resources: model studies and farmers' practices in two villages in East Java, Indonesia

doi:10.1016/S0308-521X(02)00037-9

Agricultural Systems

Volume 76, Issue 1, April 2003, Pages 77-94

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-521X(02)00037-9 Get rights and content

Abstract

This paper presents studies on feed utilization in two Indonesian villages (Putukrejo and Kedungsalam) with large seasonal variation in availability of feeds. The model used calculates the effect of varying degrees of feed selection on the number of animals that can be fed ad libitum, the corresponding mean liveweight gain (MLWG) per animal and total liveweight production (TLWP) of the herd. Calculations assume that, if only part of the feed is used, the feeds giving the highest intake of metabolizable energy are selected first. When feeds were pooled for the whole year, 2976 AU (animal units) could be fed ad libitum in Putukrejo and 4443 in Kedungsalam, but maximum TLWP was obtained with a smaller herd size (HS; 2300 and 3800 AU, respectively), not using the poorest feeds. Without transfer of feeds from one month to another, the maximum number of AU that could be fed ad libitum each month varied from 583 to 4130 AU in Putukrejo and from 1446 to 11080 in Kedungsalam. The optimum constant HS, giving maximum TLWP for the whole year, varied with assumptions regarding transfer of feeds between seasons. With assumptions most closely reflecting farmers' practices, optimal HS was 1200 AU for Putukrejo and between 1900 and 3200 for Kedungsalam, with MLWGs of 199 and 131–159 g AU⁻¹ d⁻¹, respectively. This corresponded well with actual HS (1320 and 2985 AU, respectively) and actual MLWG (182 g animal⁻¹ d⁻¹).

Introduction

The potential for livestock production depends largely on the availability of feed. Traditional feed balance studies, comparing the amount of feed with the requirements for the actual animal production, indicate that in many regions large amounts of feed are left unutilized (Winrock, 1978). This is because many feeds are of very low quality, so that farmers must select and use only the better feeds. In a study on animal production in the province of East Java, Indonesia, Zemmelink et al. (1992) used the so-called JAVA programme to calculate the effect of varying degrees of selection, i.e. varying degrees of feed utilization on (a) the number of animals that can be fed ad libitum, (b) the corresponding production per animal and (c) the total production of the herd [combination of (a) and (b)]. They concluded, that maximum animal production was reached when only 35% of the feed dry matter was utilized. This value and also calculated values for optimum herd size and corresponding productivity of animals, corresponded well with actual data according to national statistics. In that study, the feed table (list of amounts and qualities of different feeds) for the whole province was the input for the programme. Calculations assumed that all feeds were available in the whole region and evenly distributed throughout the year. Regional differences, as well as seasonal distribution of feeds were ignored. In practice, the total amount of feed and the proportion of individual feeds vary between regions and villages, and also between seasons, depending on the distribution of rainfall and cropping patterns. Farmers try to mitigate the effects of seasonal fluctuations by carrying over feed from one season to another, but this is difficult with perishable green feeds. It is also not possible to adjust herd size from month to month, while a fixed herd size leads to shortage of feed in one season, or excess in another, or both. This paper presents model results for two villages where the total quantity of feed and the proportion of individual feeds show a large seasonal variation. The objective of the study was to arrive at quantitative estimates of (a) the effects of selective utilization of feeds, (b) the monthly variation in optimum herd size and (c) the optimum constant herd size for both villages, taking into account restrictions to the utilization of individual feeds and possible carrying over of feeds from one season to another. Results are compared with farmers' practices.

Section snippets

Study area

The two villages (Putukrejo and Kedungsalam) are in the limestone area of South Malang regency, East Java, Indonesia (see Cornelissen et al., 1997). The climate in this area is mainly determined by the tropical monsoon. The wet season usually starts in October or November and ends between April and July. Annual rainfall (measured in Pagak) varies from 1130 to 2700 mm with a 32-year average of 1900 mm. In 30% of the years there was a pronounced dry season lasting 7–11 months.

Putukrejo is in a

Feed tables, farmers' practices and livestock population

Table 1 gives the estimated amounts of individual feeds for each of the three seasons mentioned above and the average nutritive value (NV) of each feed. Amounts available per month are in Ifar (1996). Seasonal and between-village variation in the NV of individual forages was small compared with differences between forages. This was also true for grass, because farmers select, and even in the dry season most of the grass harvested is green. Therefore overall mean values per feed were used in the

Comparison of response curves and farmers' practices

The model calculations for Putukrejo indicate, that when a choice has to be made between feeding supplementary straw in May or November, priority should be given to supplementation in May. This is in agreement with farmers' practices. The calculations also suggest that a similar extra increase in TLWP could be obtained by feeding rice straw in both May and November. This was not done by farmers. There is, however, also an essential difference in the manner in which the two increases in TLWP are

Conclusions

1.
Seasonal distribution and selective utilization of feeds are important factors which must be taken into account when studying ruminant production systems and evaluating farmers' practices.
2.
Taking into account the results of model calculations for a year with average rainfall, in combination with variation in rainfall between years, it is concluded that farmers in both Putukrejo and Kedungsalam adapt feeding practices and herd size remarkably well to the resources at their disposal. The results

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