Differences nutrition quality of forage during wet and dry seasons and their impact on milk production and quality in Barunagri village, Lembang Regency

Abstract

Availabilities of quality forages fluctuated during the year. In dry season, where plants grow slower and their qualities drop rapidly, is one of the hardest season for dairy farmer. High cattle stocking rate and limited available land hit the farmer harder. Barunagri village is one of the cattle stocking rate in Lembang Regency. The farmer experienced the difficulties of affording forage during dry season for several years. The research was aimed to studying the influence of season on availability quality forage and their impact on milk production and quality. The study have been conducted during wet and dry season (2007/2008) and observed 27 respondent from 8 different farmer groups. The study used both primary and secondary data. Parameter observed in the study included availability of quality forage, feed intake, milk production and quality. The data were described or analyzed used T-test. During dry seasons, forage qualities and availabilities as well as milk production were significantly lower in compare to wet season. However, milk fat contents were higher during dry season. Although Barunagri farmer had difficulties in affording high quality forages for their cows during dry seasons, but the farmer provided forage with lower quality and added with some agriculture by product that could maintained body weight of the animal but lowering milk production.