Substitution of Concentrate with Mulberry Leave on Rice Straw Based Ration in Ongole Crossbred Cattle

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to study the ability of mulberry leave to substitute concentrate in rice straw based ration of Ongole Crossbred Cattle. This experiment used a completely randomized design, with 3 treatments and 4 replications. Treatments consisted of P1 (rice straw 50% + concentrate 50%), P2 (rice straw 50% + concentrate 25% + mulberry leave 25%), P3 (rice straw 50% + mulberry leave 50%). The experiment was conducted for 62 days with the adaptation periods for 2 weeks. Variables observed were feed consumption, daily body weight gain, feed efficiency, Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC) and Revenue Cost Ratio. The data were analyzed by Analysis of Variance, and differences among treatments were tested with Duncan Multiple Range Test. The results showed that the substitution of concentrate with mulberry leave did not significantly (P>0.05) affect daily body weight gain, feed efficiency and Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC), but significantly increased(P<0.05) feed consumption in P2 compared to control (7.01 vs 6.27 kg/day) and Revenue Cost Ratio in P3 compared to control (1.78 vs 1.44). It is concluded that mulberry leave are able to substitute the concentrate and could reduce the feed cost in cattle.

Jerami padi merupakan limbah pertanian yang memiliki potensi cukup besar sebagai pakan ternak ruminansia, namun jerami padi memiliki faktor pembatas yakni rendahnya kadar protein, kalsium dan fosfor, serta tingginya kandungan serat kasar. Karena itu, pemanfaatan jerami padi dalam ransum harus diimbangi dengan penambahan konsentrat untuk mencukupi kebutuhan nutrisi pakan. Ketersediaan bahan penyusun konsentrat saat ini terbatas akibat harga yang tinggi serta persaingannya dengan kebutuhan lain. Oleh sebab itu, perlu dicari bahan pakan alternatif yang dapat menggantikan konsentrat, dimana bahan pengganti tersebut harus berkualitas dan mempunyai produktivitas yang tinggi. Salah satu bahan yang memenuhi kriteria tersebut adalah daun murbei. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengkaji kemampuan tepung daun murbei mensubstitusi konsentrat bila dikombinasikan dengan jerami padi sebagai pakan alternatif yang murah, berkualitas, mudah disediakan serta dapat meningkatkan produktivitas sapi potong.