Lactowaf: Innovative Feed Wafer from IPB University Students to Increase Dairy Cow Milk Production
Students from the Nutrition and Feed Technology Study Program at IPB University have introduced Lactowaf, a feed wafer high in palmitic acid that is considered capable of increasing both the production and quality of dairy cow milk.
This Student Creativity Program team in the field of Entrepreneurship (PKM-K) was initiated by Muhammad Ligan Haikal, consisting of Muhammad Nurfadhilah, Muhammad Recky Renaldy, Salsa Birul Wahlidaini Merdekawati Apriliana, and Lise Meitner Aribah Nasution, and supervised by Prof Yuli Retnani.
Ligan, as the team leader, explained that the idea for Lactowaf came from the fact that national milk production is still far from meeting the needs of the community. “Indonesia still imports up to 74 percent of its milk needs, even though consumption continues to increase,” he explained.
He elaborated that one of the factors contributing to low milk production is the suboptimal quality of feed. “We saw an opportunity to provide wafer-shaped feed supplements with good nutrient content and protected fatty acids,” he said.
According to Ligan, palmitic acid supplementation is important because it has been proven to increase dry matter digestibility and feed efficiency. This has a positive effect on dairy cow performance. “With this technology, milk production and quality are expected to increase,” he added.
Two Advantages
Lactowaf has two main advantages. From a nutritional standpoint, this product contains protected vegetable fats that can increase the levels of unsaturated fatty acids in milk, such as oleic and linoleic acids.
In terms of form, wafers are considered more practical, durable, less prone to spillage, and easy for cows to consume, even when they have oral disorders such as foot-and-mouth disease (PMK).
In developing the business, the team has devised a multi-layered strategy. “In the short term, our focus is on sales in Bogor and its surroundings, building branding, and obtaining distribution permits. In the medium term, we will expand distribution to Central Java and East Java with a larger production scale. In the long term, we want to expand throughout Indonesia with the support of investors or large companies,” he explained.
The initial response from farmers has been very positive. They find the product practical, it increases appetite, and improves milk quality. The wafer form also reduces feed waste, which often occurs with mash or concentrate forms.
However, the team faces several challenges. “We must maintain the quality of raw materials and the nutritional consistency of the wafers. With simple equipment, the wafers can sometimes crumble easily. Another challenge is building farmers’ trust, which requires education, promotion, and direct demonstrations,” said Ligan.
Looking ahead, the team hopes Lactowaf will not stop at the PKM-K program but develop into a sustainable feed startup. “With research support, marketing networks, and collaboration with dairy cooperatives and industries, Lactowaf can help reduce dependence on milk imports and improve the welfare of local farmers,” concluded Ligan. (Fj) (IAAS/FMT)
