Forage Resources for Bali Cattle (Bos javanicus) in Small Holder Farming Systems in South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Bali cattle (Bos javanicus) are a vital component of Indonesia’s crop-livestock farming systems. A research has been conducted to analyze the resources of cattle forage and it’s use on the systems of small holder farming in Bone regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The research particularly conducted on the centre of “Bali cattle” development at Libureng district, Bone regency aiming to optimize the use of available forage and introducing the new forage. Research conducted on 4 (four) controlled villages namely Mattirowalie village, Bune village, Tappale villageand Laburasseng village. The determination ofselected farmers or called as “best bet farmers” conducted through selection towards the farmers to each village. The results of selection of “best bet farmers” obtained 5 (five) persons in each village so total farmer were 20 persons “best betfarmers expected to be the example case study farmer or the pioneer farmer for the other farmers in conducting the innovative technology of improving cattle forage. The results of research showed that the forage resources of cattle were varied.The system of feed giving the combined foragebetween shepherd system and cut-carry system.If compared with the forage resources condition of cattle after this project implemented, there were the significant influence where farmers have been familiar to plant the forage in form of grasses and legumesthen remain rice and peanut crop residues conservation for their cattle, while before they only focused on Native pasture or field grasses mixture and a little plants straw or crop residues.