Studies on Crude Nutrient and Macro Mineral Composition of Forages and the Use of Local Mineral Formulas as Supplemented Feed for Beef Cattle

The objective of the present research was to study the diversity of crude nutrient and mineral contents of forages from different sources and to evaluate the beneficial effect of supplementation of beef cattle with mineral formulated by using Bukit Kamangs’ limestone mixed with other locally available materials on their performances. The research was initiated by sampling and analyzing the nutrient and mineral contents of forages from different sources to study diversity of forages quality. Forage samples were collected from 4 different locations, i.e. pasture, palm oil estate, teak wood plantation and idle lands. Samples were then analyzed for crude nutrient (CP, CF, ash and DM) and macro mineral content of Ca, P, Mg, K, Na and S. Feeding trial was then conducted to evaluate the beneficial effect of supplementation of local mineral formulas (LMF) produced by using locally available materials of Bukit Kamang’s limestone meal, fresh oyster shell meal, rice bran and cane sugar on the performances of cattle. The feeding trial was conducted for 6 weeks by using 9 Cross-Simmentals heifers subjected to 3 treatments, i.e. P1: only grass without supplementation, P2: grass + LMF and P3: grass + concentrates. Parameters measured included: body weight gain, feed intake, FCR, feed cost and net return. Results showed that the available forages contained relatively high fiber and low DM, CP and minerals. Nutrient content of CP, CF and ash varied widely, from 10.4 to 18.2%, 30.2 to 45.5% and 8.8 to 12.1%, respectively. Minerals of Na, K, Mg and Ca were varied from 11-18 g/kg, 8-13 g/kg, 8-10 g/kg and 7-8 g/kg DM, respectively, while P were found the lowest, varied from 0.5 to 1.3 g.kg DM. Heifers supplemented with LMF (P2) showed higher body weight gain, FCR and net return than those of fed only grass (P1). The best biological performances were shown by heifers supplemented with concentrates (P3), but the most profitable feeding strategy was by supplementation of heifers with local mineral formulas. Key Words: Forage quality, Local mineral, Ruminant nutrition