Potential and Productivity of Natural Forage as Feed for Beef Cattle under Oil Palm Plantations in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province

Abstract

The availability of feed is one of the prerequisites for the sustainability of the beef cattle development program. This study aimed to review the potential and productivity of natural forage under oil palm plantations. Data were taken in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province, from March to June 2021. The sampling was conducted on 3 hectares plantations using tools measuring 1 m x 1 m; therefore, there were 30 samples for each oil palm age. The highest and lowest biomass productivity was at 5 years-age of 11,644 kg ha-1, and 2,144.46 kg ha-1, respectively. The highest and lowest weight of dry forage matter was at 5 and 15 years-age of 2918 kg ha-1 and 699.49 kg ha-1. Musi Banyuasin's oil palm farms can supply cattle feed for 1.56 AU ha-1 and accommodate 489,845.06 AU before production. In the grazing system, one hectare of oil palm plantations can provide cattle feed for 0.37-0.47 AU ha-1 and accommodate about 117,423.57-147,925.04 AU. Therefore, oil palm plantations in Musi Banyuasin have a good potential for beef cattle development with an integrated system to preserve the environment.