Ruminant animals, including the likes of cows, goats, and sheep, stand as vital sources of nutrition, providing two of the three primary nutrients essential for human sustenance: protein and lipids.
The ruminant animal population in Indonesia is substantial, with a projected surge in meat consumption. However, the persistent snag remains the accessibility of high-quality feed, a quandary further exacerbated by seasonal fluctuations.
The scarcity of adequate feed poses a looming threat of nutritional inadequacies, impacting animal health, productivity, reproduction, disease resistance, and even environmental factors due to heightened emission gas production.
“Abundance characterizes feed, both in quantity and quality, during the rainy season. However, come the dry season, this narrative shifts dramatically,” said Professor Irkham Widiyono of the UGM Faculty of Veterinary Medicine during his professorial lecture on Thursday (Nov. 30).
“Compounded by the escalating repurposing of land for non-agricultural activities, we confront a pressing issue of feed shortages that demand year-round attention in our country.”
Addressing the gathering, he expounded on the repercussions of feed shortages on animal health, productivity, fertility, and immunity. Given the multifaceted adverse effects stemming from feed or nutrient deficiencies, he underscored the pivotal role of vigilant monitoring.
Diminished feed intake reduces the consumption of necessary energy and protein, resulting in weight loss, diminished body condition scores (BCS), and an unfavorable energy balance.
“The most effective monitoring method involves scrutinizing the historical diet in correlation with the presenting clinical symptoms. Additionally, alternative approaches such as assessing BCS and metabolites in blood, urine, and milk can also be employed,” he added.
Professor Widiyono delved into nutritional strategies poised to mitigate the impact of feed shortages. Critical interventions include provisioning high-quality forage, supplementing forage with concentrate, and incorporating fat into the feed.
Beyond the quantitative aspect of feed intake, the forage plants’ functional potentials are paramount.
Furthermore, he highlighted certain forage plants that harbor secondary metabolites like tannins.
These compounds boast anthelmintic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties, curbing protein degradation in the rumen and amplifying protein utilization and ruminant production efficiency.
“Our overarching aspiration is to actualize precision feeding in livestock, elevating the quality and safety of products, enhancing the health and welfare of animals, and curbing environmental impact within our region,” he added.
“Safeguarding the well-being of animals is a shared responsibility, and its fulfillment ensures prosperity for humans and their surroundings.”
Author: Gloria
Photographer: Firsto