Rice Straw Waste to Increase Beef Cattle Productivity

Malang Regency has abundant rice straw availability and is considered waste. In fact, with proper processing, rice straw can be used as feed for beef cattle.

Observing these conditions, Lecturers of the Faculty of Animal Science Universitas Brawijaya (Fapet UB) conducted socialization and training on processing rice straw agricultural waste to the Karyo Makmur livestock group in Wonokerto Village, Bantur District – Malang Regency, Wednesday (8/09/2021).

The service team who are members of a study group called Red Meat Producers consists of Dr. Ir. Mashudi, M.Agr.Sc., IPM, ASEAN Eng., Prof. Dr. Ir. Siti Chuzaemi, MS., IPU., ASEAN Eng, Prof. Dr. Ir. Hartutik, MP., IPU, ASEAN Eng., Dr. Ir. Hermanto, MP., Asri Nurul Huda, S.Pt., MP., M,Sc., and Poespitasari Hazanah Ndaru, S.Pt., MP.

The activity was carried out offline by following the health protocol and was attended by 15 beef cattle farmers. Representatives of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health of Malang Regency were also present to assist farmer groups.

According to the team leader, Dr. Mashudi, rice straw is processed into ammoniated urea straw, straw tape, and fermented straw to make animal feed. The nutrients in it can be utilized to increase livestock productivity.

“Unprocessed straw has a high lignin content so that it becomes a limiting factor for the nutritional quality in it,” explained Mashudi

Farmers seemed enthusiastic about participating in the training, considering the abundance of straw during the rice harvest and the affordable price. Besides, the processing method is straightforward. They hope that by consuming processed rice straw, cattle will increase productivity, body weight, and other aspects, including reproduction.

Prof. Siti Chuzaemi said that if farmers improve the quality of feed and increase productivity, they can also increase livestock ownership as a form of livestock business efficiency. (dta)