The objective of this research was to study the effects of different energy and protein ratio towards sheep's nutrient intake and digestibility. Twenty four male sheep's, 6-7 months old with initial average live weight 13+1.56 kg, coefficient variant11.78%) were used in this research. The complete feed ration which consisted of King Grass (Pennisetum purpureum), soybean powder, rice bran, dried cassava and molasses was used in this research. Protein content on each component was 10, 12 and 14% and total digestible nutrients (TDN) 60 and 65%, respectively. Dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) intake, DM and OM digestibility were studied in this research. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to analyze the data. Test of Small Difference (P<0.05) was then carried out if significant different occurred. The research results showed that Dry matter and OM ration intake showed significant different among treatments (P<0.05). The highest DM intake was obtained at crude protein (CP) 14% and TDN 65% i.e. 695.54 g while the lowest value was CP 14% and TDN 65% i.e. 462.11 g. Thus different DM and OM intake were caused by different ration ingredients composition. Dry matter and OM ration digestibility were not show different (P>0.05) among crude protein and TDN treatments. Different energy and protein ration treatments caused different DM and OM intake but were not cause different in DM and OM digestibility. Based on the research results, a study on the effects of different ration's energy and protein ratio towards N efficiency should be conducted in order to increase cattle productivity.

Background and Aim: Grass is often scarce for ruminants during the dry season in Indonesia; thus agricultural by-products are widely used as a substitute for grass. This study aimed to determine the effect of replacing Napier grass (NG) with agricultural by-products on the productivity and carcass characteristics of lambs. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four 3-month-old male lambs with initial body weights of 13.26±1.29 kg (coefficient of variation=9.73%) were allocated into a completely randomized design with four treatments and six replications. The treatments included: NG=100% NG; corn cobs (CCs)=50% NG and 50% CCs; bagasse (BG)=50% NG and 50% BG; and peanut shells (PSs)=50% NG and 50% PSs. All treatment diets were pelleted and consisted of 40% fibrous feed and 60% concentrate feed, and contained 10.36-11.65% crude protein and 55.47-57.31% total digestible nutrients. Parameters observed included dry matter intake (DMI), dry matter digestibility, body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed cost per gain (FC/G), and carcass characteristics. Results: Lambs fed the PSs diet had the highest (p<0.05) DMI (781 g/d), digestibility, and body weight gain (92.5 g/d; p<0.05). The FCR of the PSs diet (9.13) was similar to NG. The FC/G of the PSs diet (IDR 23,541/kg) was the lowest of all diets. The BG diet had the lowest (p<0.05) digestibility, body weight gain (54.4 g/d), and the highest (13.53) FCR. No significant differences (p>0.05) were found in the carcass or meat characteristics of any diets. The averages of slaughter weight, carcass weight, and carcass percentage were 20.03 kg, 8.02 kg, and 40.0%, respectively. The average meat bone ratio was 3.67. Conclusion: It was concluded that agricultural wastes could be used as an alternative to NG at the level of 50% in the diet of lambs without a negative effect on production performance and carcass traits.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different proportions of forage and concentrate in diet on carcass productions, commercial cuts and edible portion of carcass in young and mature Kejobong goats. Sixteen heads of Kejobong goats were grouped into two different ages (young: 5 months old; initial body weight (BW) of 14.03 kg ±1.46 kg and mature: 9 months old; initial BW of 22.32±1.99 kg). Each group was fed pelleted ration containing different proportions of forage and concentrate (T1 = 70:30% and T2 = 30:70%) about 4% of BW in dry matter (DM) basis. All goats were slaughtered after 4 months of feeding, then carcass, commercial cuts and edible portion were separated and weighed, also yield grade value and rib eye muscle area were weighed. Data were analyzed by nested design using F-test. The results showed that carcassses, commercial cuts and edible portion of mature goats were higher than those of young Kejobong, except for yield grade and rib-eye muscle area. Goats fed T2 produced higher (P<0.05) carcass production, commercial cuts (excluded neck), edible portion of carcass, and rib-eye muscle area than those fed T1. It can be concluded that 70% of concentrate for young and mature Kejobong goats can increase the carcass production, commercial cuts, edible portion of carcass, and rib-eye muscle area.

This study assessed protein utilization in Thin-Tailed lambs. A total of 20 lambs (13.03 ± 2.30 kg) were allotted using 2×2 factorial arrangement. The first factor was protein levels of the ration (13 and 15%); whereas second factor was source of the protein ration (fishmeal and soybean meal). All lambs were kept in individual compartments. Increasing blood glucose occurs up to 8 hours after feeding and the peak of urea nitrogen levels were found on 4 hours after feeding. An interaction occurred (P<0.05) between protein level and source on blood glucose levels at 6 hours and nitrogen urea at 2 hours after feeding. Protein levels affected (P<0.05) glucose blood at 4 hours and affected nitrogen level at 2 and 4 hours. Lambs fed 13% has lower blood glucose and urea nitrogen than 15%. Protein sources affected (P<0.05) blood glucose at 4 and 8 hours and nitrogen at 0, 2, 4 and 8 hours. Lambs fed soybean meal has lower blood glucose and higher urea nitrogen than fishmeal. It was concluded that 13% protein levels with fishmeal was more efficient in the digestive system as indicated by blood glucose and urea nirogen.