Search Articles

Home / Articles

Potential of forage systems-three strata (FS-TS) management in the coconut-beef integrated farming system (Coco-Beef IFS)

. Richard E.M.F. Osak, Selvie D. Anis, Tilly F.D. Lumy and Derek J. Polakitan


Abstract

This study aims to implement the coconut and beef cattle integration system farming through planting the forage system-three strata (FS-TS) system on coconut plantations as a superior source of forage to increase the added value of cattle and coconut farming.

The research method was carried out on farmers' land (in situ), with field experiments using coconut plantations land. Forage system-three strata (FS-TS) applied: Stratum 1 is grazing grass Ruzi grass (Brachiaria ruziziensis); Stratum 2 is cut grass dwarf elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott); and Stratum 3 is tree legume Indigofera sp. (Indigofera zollingeriana). On the experimental soil, the application of cattle dung waste fertilizer for forage plants and coconut plants was carried out.

The results showed the production of forage system of natural pasture (FS-NP) before FS-TS on coconut land were 192,480 kg per year, and with a grass palatability of 31.2 pencent, it is 60,053.76 kg per year, only able to provide a carrying capacity of 4.7 AU/ha per year. Then, after the application of FS-TS, the potential capacity is 27.70 AU per hectares per year, which means an increase of 23 AU per hectare per year for the forage system - three strata (FS-TS) in coconut land.

 

Index Terms- Carrying capacity, coco-beef, fodder

Download :