Effect of Using Different Levels of Cassava Meal on Nutrient Intake, Fiber Digestibility and Body Condition Score in Crossbreed Limousin Bulls

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in Malang, East Java-Indonesia to evaluate the effect of using cassava meal in the diet at levels of 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 % on feed intake, fiber digestibility and profit margin in crossbreed Limousin bulls. In this trial, thirty crossbred Limousin bulls were allocated to a completely randomized block design with 6 blocks based on initial body weight and 5 treatments based on cassava meal level in the diet. The result of this research shows that the level of cassava meal significantly affected (P<0.05) on nutrient intake, fiber digestibility and body condition score (BCS). Treatment with 40% cassava meal had the highest nutrient intake, fiber digestibility and profit margin. The treatment with 70% cassava meal level had the lowest nutrient intake, fiber digestibility and BCS. It was concluded that a high level (>40%) of cassava meal in the diet reduced nutrient intake, fiber digestibilty and causing low BCS.