Nutrient Adequacy Evaluation of Aceh Cattle Fed with Concentrate for Forage Substitution and Performance Improvement

Abstract This study aims to evaluate nutrient adequacy based on the nutrient requirement and intake of Aceh cattle fed by concentrate as a substitution for forage to improve their performance and productivity. The study was conducted from May to July 2018 at Livestock Breeding and Forage Center for Excellence (BPTU-HPT) of Indrapuri, Aceh. Twenty heads of selected male and healthy Aceh cattle aged 1.5-2.5 yo with a weight of ±160 kg were divided into four treatment groups based on different forage and commercial concentrate feed levels, i.e. T1 as a control (fed with 25 kg of forage without any additional concentrate feed), T2 (fed with 20 kg of forage plus 1 kg of concentrate feed), T3 (fed with 15 kg of forage plus 2 kg of concentrate feed), and T4 (fed with 10 kg of forage plus 3 kg of concentrate feed). The data observed were ADG, feed consumption, and nutrient intake, requirement, and balance. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and continued by DMRT. The difference in the amount of forage consumption was very significant (P <0.05), directly proportional to the amount of forage provided. Dry matter intake significantly increased with provision of concentrate (P <0.05). Increases in DM, CP, and TDN intakes were 0.75, 0.16, 0.40 kg/d, respectively. A negative balance was found in almost all nutrients and treatment groups, and there was only one positive balance, i.e. protein in T4 group. T3 group had met the DM requirement, but did not meet protein and TDN requirements, and also had the highest ADG (P <0.05) compared to the other groups. This study concludes that the use of concentrate as a substitute for forage improves nutrient intake of male Aceh cattle. Feeding of 2 kg of concentrate and 15 kg of forage can meet nutrient requirements of dry matter and provide the highest ADG.