Potency and Carrying Capacity of Rice Straw for Beef Cattle Feed in East Kalimantan

Abstract

Rice straw is a very potential feedstuff to meet livestock needs during lack of green forage in dry season. Some treatments can be adjusted to deal with the characteristics of rice straw i.e. low nutrient content and bulky. Optimum utilization of rice straw indicates zero waste production conceptsin accordance with low external input sustainable agriculture (LEISA). This research was conducted in two steps: 1) survey based on purposive sampling technique to determine the potency of rice straw quantity in three regencies; and 2) laboratory experiment to determine the nutrient quality of rice straw. Survey was carried out to collect data related with wet paddy field harvested area and beef cattle population to determine the carrying capacity of rice straw used for beef cattle’s feed. In laboratory experiment, rice straw samples were chopped and dried and then followed by analyzing the dry matter content and conducted proximate analysis. Result showed that the average production of rice straw in last five years found in research locations were +9.799; +8.302; +7.079; +8.714; and +6.432 tons. The average populations reached up to 1,264 AU; 1,616 AU; 1,842 AU; 1,683 AU and 1,919 AU. The average demand of beef cattle per year was 44.609 tons/y; 23.719 tons/y; 20.225 tons/y; 24.897 tons/y and 18.377 tons/y. The average carrying capacity was 54.07 AU/y; 78.91 AU/y; 20.16 AU/y; 65.91 AU/y; and 16.58 AU/y. The nutrient contents of rice straw based on proximate analysis was DM=87.85%; CP=4.86%; CFa=0.91%; CFi=41.07%; NFE=36.98%; and TDN=46.65%. According to the result, it is concluded that the quantity and quality of rice strawis potential to meet the needs of beef cattle on feed in North Penajam Paser, Kutai Kartanegara and Berau Regency.