Imports of Indonesian Beef Cattle: A Study of Cattle Weight Loss Based on Type of Ship and Type of Cattle

Abstract

Weight loss of imported cattle from Australia entering Indonesia is highly probable due to the long distances and journeys. This research aimed to analyze the weight loss of imported cattle from Australia entering Indonesia based on the type of ship used and the type of imported cattle. The types of ships used as the objects of observation were MV Diamantina, Barkly Pearl, and MV Gudali Ex, while the types of cattle used as the objects of observation were Brahman Cross cattle, including heifers, steers, and bulls. The observation involved 4, 238 Brahman Cross cattle. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and independent sample t-test using SPSS 26.0 software. The results revealed that the weight loss of the imported cattle on the MV Diamantina ship was 12.92 ± 5.66 kg per cattle, Barkly Pearl was 9.98 ± 5.05 kg per cattle, and MV Gudali Ex was 14.32 ± 4.20 kg per cattle, while the weight loss of Brahman Cross heifers was 12.71 ± 6.19 kg per cattle, of steers was 12.15 ± 3.86 kg per cattle, and of bulls was 15.86 ± 3.97 kg per cattle. It was concluded that the imported beef cattle from Australia with the lowest weight loss during the observation period was Brahman Cross steers transported using the Barkly Pearl ship.