Formulating diets based on whole cassava tuber (

Context Formulating rations with high energy and protein feeds such as cassava tuber gliricidia, is an important strategy to increase liveweight gain (LWG) of bulls improve profitability smallholder farmers in Indonesia. Aims Two on-farm experiments were conducted evaluate the effect increasing supplementation level a mixture (Manihot esculenta) whole root powder fresh gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) on feed intake LWG Ongole Bali given corn stover elephant grass, respectively. Methods conducted, each five treatments: basal diet (Experiment 1 for bulls) or grass 2 fed ad libitum this supplemented combination (whole including peel, sun-dried ground) fresh, chopped (1:1) estimated dry matter (DM) basis, at DM levels 0.4, 0.8, 1,2 1.6% (LW)/day. Each experiment was run 18 weeks, consisting two week adaptation 16 experimental period. Parameters measured included intake, supplement total water faecal pH, daily LWG, conversion ratio (FCR) income over cost (IOFC). Key results Increasing linearly (P < 0.05) decreased but increased both breeds. Basal reduced rate 0.43 kg/kg consumed bulls. Water pH not affected > by intake. Inclusion up LW/day, (up 3.28 3.18% bulls, respectively) (maximum 0.69 kg/day 0.46 kg/day). Daily (IOFC) significantly association Experiments 2. Using derived model without supplementation, value IOFC only IDR 7802/day 7687/day, 2, The highest achieved LW/day values 13 949/day 12 543/day Conclusions addition profit smallholders fattening Implications ration can be economically beneficial cattle systems