Effect of integrated technology for fattening beef cattle in the livestock zone of North Sulawesi

Abstract

This on-farm study aims to increase beef cattle productivity by utilizing integrated technology packages for local cattle fattening with a target of at least 800g/head daily gain. This study was carried out in the Minahasa Selatan district from August to October 2018. The integrated technology package for the fattening business pattern included: (1) complete feed, (2) intensive maintenance in multi-purpose cages, and (3) eradication of complete parasites. A complete feed is formulated in a balanced feed consisting of ammoniated rice straw and concentrate locally. The amount of dry matter concentrate was given per head is 1.5% of body weight (50% total consumption), while the ammoniated straw was ad libitum. For multipurpose cages, the upper part is equipped with a multipurpose tower as a barn while simultaneously serving straw, ad libitum, and continuous. Complete eradication of parasites using broad-spectrum anti-parasites to eradicate endoparasites that attack digestive tissues and other internal organs and ectoparasites to control the skin worms and eyeworms, cattle grubs, mange mites, sucking lice, sand tampans, and ticks. This study used fifteen local PO bulls fattened with an initial body weight of an average of 278.4 kg (± 54.34) with an observation period of 12 weeks. The observations showed that the average daily gain was 1,158 g/head, feed consumption 8,358 kg DM/head/day, and feed conversion ratio of 7.56. In contrast, the results of the business feasibility analysis showed a BCR coefficient of 1.69. The results of statistical analysis showed that the average weight gain increased significantly (p <0.01) after utilizing integrated fattening technology (308.8vs278.4 kg). It was concluded that the use of integrated technology for cattle fattening in beef cattle could increase productivity significantly and economically feasible.