IPB In Cooperation with PT Holcim Implemented the Prime Grazing Season for Dwarf Elephant Grass (Odot) and Indigofera
Center for Human Resource Development (P2SDM) of the Institute for Research and Community Service of Bogor Agricultural University (LPPM IPB), in cooperation with PT. Holcim Indonesia Tbk, implemented the prime grazing season of forage crops, namely the harvest of Dwarf Elephant Grass or Mott Elephant Grass (odot) and indigofera, on 18 January 2018, in the former mining land of Nambo Village Klapanunggal Sub-district Bogor. Animal industry especially stockers needs forage as their fibre and protein resource to maintain its quality and productivity.
The Secretary of P2SDM of LPPM IPB, Warcito, SP, MM, said that the program on the agrocreative field station for the nursery of forage grasses for livestock had been started since 2016. The coaching program established by P2SDM of LPPM IPB for farmers using land areas of PT. Holcim has been to cultuvate Dwarf Elephant Grass or Mott Elephant Grass (odot) and indigofera, so the cattle and sheep breeders can easily grazing or to feed their livestock efficiently. In addition, IPB also developed business-scale of agrokreatif field development for sheep fattening in the working area of PT. Holcim Tbk.
Manager of PT. Holcim Indonesia Tbk, Edi Prayitno, in his remarks stated that the program of dwarf elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum cv. Mott) and indigofera is an effort of PT. Holcim Tbk in helping to provide animal feed for farmers around the work area of PT. Holcim Tbk. "Hope the breeders can easily find and get the fodder or feed for fattening livestock. Annual forage crops are often thought of as supplemental or emergency crops by many livestock producers. Although a high quality perennial forage should be the base forage for livestock producers, annual forages can play an important niche role in a forage system by providing forages. " he said
The expert to supervise the program who is also the faculty member of the Department of Nutrition and Feed Technology, of the Faculty of Animal Husbandry of Bogor Agricultural University (FAPET IPB), Ir. M. Agus Setiana, MS, explained that this program will be beneficial for the community, as well as for PT. Holcim. Mine reclamation land of PT. Holcim can be a source of forage feed, such as mini elephant grass (odot) and indigofera. He said, Forage Animal Feed (HPT) is very important for cattle and sheep breeders. Grazing is the most economical method for harvesting forages so well-managed pasture is a very important feed source. Sustainable livestock production is highly dependent on the availability of quality feed and forage resources, undoubtedly cattle and sheep won’t grow optimally. Therefore, a proper way to regulate the necessary HPT supplies for livestock is really required.
Meeting consumer demand for more meat, milk, eggs and other livestock products is dependent to a major extent on the availability of regular supplies of appropriate, cost-effective and safe animal feeds. Further he added, most cattle / ruminants (cattle, goats, sheep, and others) in the Indonesia have a diet that is composed of at least some forage (grass, legumes, or silage). Then for pasture-fed animals, grass is the forage that composes all or at least the great majority of their diet. Forage quality can be defined simply as the ability of the dairy cow to digest and utilize the nutrient components provided by the forage source. The higher the content and digestibility of the nutrients, the higher the quality of the forage. The highest-quality and most digestible forage is young herbage, because it contains the lowest amount of structural carbohydrates (cellulose, hemicellulose) and lignin. " Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.), variety Dwarf Elephant Grass or Mott Elephant Grass (odot) is a major tropical grass was popular among breeders as it is one of the highest yielding tropical grasses. Whereas indigofera is superior legume varieties with a very high protein content, "said Agus Setiana. (Wied)
