Tulang sapi yang merupakan limbah hasil ikutan yang kurang dimanfaatkan oleh masyarakat masih sangat melimpah. Padahal jika diolah dengan baik, maka akan menghasilkan produk yang berkualitas dan benilai ekonomis yang tinggi. Sapi lokal (Sapi Bali) dengan pemberian pakan khusus lamtoro taramba menjadi produk pakan sapi andalan dari Fakultas Peternakan Universitas Mataram karena dengan pemberian pakan lamtoro pada sapi bali memiliki pertambahan berat badan yang meningkat dan menghasilkan daging yang empuk. Khusus tulang dari sapi lokal tersebut belum dimanfaatkan bahkan menjadi limbah, padahal jika diolah dengan baik akan menjadi produk bernilai ekonomis dan berguna bagi kesehatan. Salah satu produk dari tulang sapi lokal pada penelitian kali ini dapat diolah menjadi gelatin. Penelitiian yang dilakukan pembuatan gelatin dengan pretreatmen asam asetat (CH3COOH) 2; 4 dan 6% pada tulang sapi lokal diulang sebanyak 4 kali. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah eksperimental laboratoris. Analisa data menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL). Data diolah menggunakan program SPPS versi 21 dan jika terdapat perbedaa maka diolah menggunakan uji DUNCAN. Adapun parameter yang diamati adalah Rendemen, pH, dan viskositas. Hasil menunjukkan konsentrasi asam asetat (CH3COOH) berpengaruh sangat nyata (P<0,01) terhadap rendemen, pH dan viskositas gelatin tulang sapi yang diberi pakan lamtoro. Kesimpulan Semakin tinggi konsentrasi pretreatment asam asetat (CH3COOH) menunjukkan karakteristis gelatin tulang sapi yang diberi pakan lamporo semakin baik hal ini ditandai dengan semakin tingginya nilai rendemen, kenetralan pH dan viskositas.

The increase in Bali cattle bone waste due to increased slaughter has become a severe societal problem because it will pollute the environment. If Bali cattle bone waste is appropriately processed, it will produce products with high nutritional and economic value, including gelatin. This research aimed to compare the yield, viscosity, and degree of acidity (pH) of bone gelatin from Bali cattle fed with lamtoro at different extraction temperatures. The gelatin from Bali cattle bone was produced under the influence of different extraction temperatures of 50; 60; and 70o C and each was repeated 4 times. The research method used was laboratory experimental. Data were analyzed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The parameters observed were yield, pH, and viscosity. The results show that different extraction temperatures (50, 60, 70o C) had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on viscosity while a very significant effect (P < 0.01) on the degree of acidity (pH) and no significant effect (P > 0.05) to the yield. It can be concluded that a higher extraction temperature (70o C) will be accompanied by an increase in gelatin yield, but the extraction temperature of 60o C showed the maximum viscosity and acidity (pH) values

Objective:The study was conducted to determine the effect of Leucaena at different proportions and doses of molasses on the nutritional quality, silage fermentation characteristic, and in vitro digestibility of corn stover silage. Materials and Methods:The study was designed in a completely randomized factorial design 3*3 pattern. The first factor was the proportion addition of Leucaena, i.e., L0 (0%), L15 (15%), L30 (30%), and L45 (45%) of inclusion of Leucaena on the dry matter (DM) basis of corn stover. The second factor was the dose of inclusion of molasses, i.e., M2 (2%), M4 (4%), and M6 (6%) on the fed basis of silage. Each treatment had five replications. The variables observed included chemical composition [DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), hemicellulose, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber], silage fermentation characteristics (pH and NH3-N), DM digestibility (DMD), and OM digestibility (OMD) under in vitro conditions. Results:The result shows that the inclusion of Leucaena in the proportion of 30%-45% is very effective in increasing and improving the chemical composition of corn stover silage, significantly suppresses the content of CF, and increases the CP content of the silage. Likewise, the inclusion of molasses at a dose of 4% also positively contributed to the quality of the resulting silage, especially its effect in suppressing the buffer capacity of proteins resulting in low pH values and NH3-N concentrations in silage. Conclusions:It was concluded that the inclusion of Leucaena in 30%-45% and the inclusion of molasses at a dose of 4% is very effective in increasing and improving the chemical composition, silage fermentability characteristics, and rumen degradation of corn stover silage.

Penelitian ini bertujuan menganalisis usaha pembibitan lamtoro Cv. Taramba, tanaman jenis leguminosa, guna dijadikan pakan sapi penggemukan oleh sebagian peternak di Pulau Sumbawa, Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Barat. Penelitian ini mengalkulasi biaya dan pendapatan yang diperoleh pengusaha pembibitan lamtoro yang mengerjakan usaha tersebut empat tahun terakhir di Desa Batu Tering, Kecamatan Moyo Hilir, Kabupaten Sumbawa, PROVINSI NTB. Data penelitian diperoleh dari hasil wawancara mendalam dengan satu-satunya pelaku usaha pembibitan lamtoro taramba. Data yang terhimpun ditelaah menggunakan analisis pendapatan dan analisis B/C ratio. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan, usaha pembibitan dan penjualan bibit tanaman lamtoro taramba memberikan pendapatan relatif besar yakni Rp 22.102.900 per periode (4-6 bulan). Nilai B/C ratio usaha perbibitan lamtoro adalah 7,52 (nilai ini lebih besar dari 1). Artinya, secara teknis, usaha perbibitan lamtoro di Batu Tering, Sumbawa, layak dilanjutkan karena menguntungkan.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui komposisi botani, persentase, dan kualitas tanaman pakan yang diberikan pada sapi. Penelitian telah dilaksanakan di Kabupaten Sumbawa Barat, dengan metode survey atau pengamatan langsung di lapangan dengan tehnik pengambilan sampel secara purposive sampling sebanyak 50 sampel peternak di pulau Sumbawa yang memiliki sapi. Metode yang digunakan dengan cara menimbang berat segar keseluruhan pakan sapi yang diberikan. Tanaman pakan diamati dengan memisahkan tanaman berdasarkan jenisnya. selanjutnya diidentifikasi masing-masing jenis tanaman pakan yang telah dipisahkan menggunakan bantuan aplikasi Plant Net dan dilanjutkan dengan analisis proksimat. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa komposisi botani terdiri dari 19 jenis tanaman pakan hijauan yakni 6 jenis legume, 4 jenis rerumputan, 2 jenis limbah pertanian, dan 7 jenis gulma. Persentase pakan hijauan berturut-turut yaitu legume (53%), rerumputan (43%), limbah pertanian (3%), dan lain-lain (1%). Pakan leguminosa didominasi oleh lamtoro (46,16%) dan legume lainnya (6,37%). Kualitas pakan yang diberikan pada sapi tergolong berkualitas baik yang disebabkan oleh dominasi hijauan legum dalam pakan dengan kandungan protein kasar 16,06%.

As an effort to improve the knowledge and skills of farmers in rural areas, service activities have been carried out with the topic "Training on Bali Cattle Feed Making Techniques in the Patut Patuh Patju Farmer Group, South Ampenan Village, Ampenan Sub-district, Mataram City". This service activity was held on the grounds that farmers in Ampenan Selatan Village often have difficulty meeting the needs of their livestock for forage, especially during the dry season, so this sometimes has an unwanted negative impact such as the occurrence of cases of death and disease in livestock as a result of declining livestock conditions. This is due to the ignorance of the farmers in an effort to overcome the shortage of forage during the dry season. This community service activity will be carried out with three methods, namely the lecture, written and demonstration methods. With the lecture method delivered on the understanding and explanation of silage and Ammoniation Fermentation (Amofer). Through the written method, it was delivered by giving a brochure containing how to make silage and make Amofer rice straw. Meanwhile, with the demonstration method, the farmers immediately practiced the preservation and processing method with Silage and Amofer technology. Based on the results of monitoring during the activity, the results of the questions and answers and the enthusiasm of the participants, it was seen that the farmers had just realized the importance of the role of nutrition for livestock, were willing to apply feed preservation and processing technology, and it could also be seen that they had no difficulty in adopting the material provided. So overall this activity can be said to be quite successful. Recognizing the limitations of breeders in terms of conservation and feed processing which is an alternative for providing feed in the dry season, the service team suggests that this kind of activity should be continued so that the expected livestock production can be achieved.

The purpose of this study was to determine the potential development of feed ingredients and the carrying capacity of land to support the cattle feed industry, what feeds can be applied in West Nusa Tenggara Province based on the potential of cattle feed ingredients and to determine the relationship between the area, type and breadth of feed sources, the number and area of grazing fields, population, amount of feed, types of feed sources, capacity, livestock population and livestock institutions in Sumbawa and East Lombok Regencies. Determination of the research location is done purposively. This study uses a survey approach combined with secondary data analysis. The results of the study show that the cattle feed ingredients industry in the two regions is quite potential to be developed. In addition, the available feed factor is relatively adequate, supported by the community's experience in raising livestock, making this business prospective to be developed. Institutionally, as many as 30 livestock farmer groups in Sumbawa Regency and East Lombok Regency with land ownership of 218 hectares in both regencies have the potential to support the development of the cattle feed industry in these two areas.

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan kombinasi optimal pemberian lamtoro dan jerami jagung fermentasi pada tingkat pemberian kulit ubi kayu yang tetap dalam ransum sapi Bali jantan. Sebanyak 20 ekor sapi Bali jantan berusia 1,5-1,8 tahun (190 ± 12,34 kg) dibagi menjadi empat kelompok perlakuan. Pada setiap kelompok perlakuan, sapi jantan diberi pakan empat tingkat jerami jagung fermentasi (10%, 30%, 40% dan 60%) dengan tingkat penurunan lamtoro yang sesuai (70%, 50%, 40% dan 20%) dan tingkat kulit singkong yang tetap (20%). Pemberian jerami jagung fermentasi sebanyak 10% dengan 70% lamtoro memberikan pertambahan bobot hidup tertinggi (Pertambahan bobot badan; 0,41 kg/hari). Terdapat hubungan linier dan kuadrat antara pertambahan bobot badan terhadap pemberian jerami jagung fermentasi. Pertambahan bobot badan kemungkinan besar terkait dengan tingkat konsumsi bahan kering (20 – 21 g/kg BB) dan ketersediaan protein dalam ransum. Hubungan antara konsumsi jerami jagung fermantasi dan pertambahan bobot badan dapat digunakan untuk menentukan kombinasi optimal antara pemberian lamtoro dengan jerami jagung fermentasi dan kulit singkong dalam ransum. Peningkatan penambahan pemberian jerami jagung fermentasi hingga 35% dan penurunan pemberian lamtoro sampai 45% dalam ransum hanya menghasilkan sedikit perubahan pertambahan bobot badan, hal ini memberikan ruang yang lebih besar terhadap penggunaan jerami jagung fermentasi pada sistem penggemukan dengan ketersediaan lamtoro yang terbatas.

The objectives of the research were to evaluate the Breeding Soundness Examination and Sexual Dimorphism of young Bali bulls.  There were 33 healthy, under normal condition and 25 heads had reddish-brown and 8 had dark chestnut brown skin color. The data collected were body weight (kg), scrotal circumference (cm), libido (score 1-3), semen volume (ml), color of semen, motility (%), concentration of sperm (×107/ml), live spermatozoa (%) and testosterone levels (ng/ml). The data were analyzed descriptively with a T-test for statistical analysis. The results Breeding soundness examination showed that bodyweight of 214 ± 25.2 (160-252) kg, Scrotal circumference was 20.96 ± 1.19 (19-24) cm, libido (score 1-3) of 1.12 ± 1.19 (0-3), semen volume of 2.15 ± 1.02 (1-4) ml, motility of 51.25± 9.54 (40-65) %, concentration of sperm of 668.51 ± 216.39 (340-952) x 107/ml, live spermatozoa of 52.51 ± 8.86 (40-60) % and testosterone level of 6.64 ± 0.28 (4.93-7.51) ng/ml. Results of the evaluation of sexual dimorphism of reddish yellow and dark chestnut brown skin color consist body weight, scrotal circumference, and testosterone levels were found nor significantly different (P>0.05) those values were 224.71±25.85(n=25) and 210.8±24.69kg (n=8), scrotal circumference were 20.75±1.28(n=25) and 21.04 ±1.18 cm(n=8), 6.41±0.78 (n=25) and 6.72±0.56 ng/ml (n=8) respectively. It can be concluded that breeding soundness examination in young Bali bulls can be used to evaluate phenotype variations. There was no effect of sexual dimorphism on body weight, scrotal circumference, and testosterone levels  Bali bull age of 1,5 to 2 years.

Penelitian berjudul Evaluasi Kecukupan Nutrisi sapi Bali dara yang dipelihara di BPT-HMT Serading Kabupaten Sumbawa ini telah dilaksanakan selama 3 bulan dari bulan April hingga Juni 2019 di BPT-HMT Serading. Penelitian menggunakan 10 ekor sapi dara dengan bobot badan rata-rata 146,86 ± 4,2 kg yang ditempatkan dalam sistem kandang kolektif yang dilengkapi bak pakan dan air minum. Pengambilan data untuk produksi hijauan menggunakan metode survey serta pengukuran dan pengamatan langsung dilapangan dengan menggunakan quadran dengan ukuran 1 m x 1 m. Penempatan quadran pada padang rumput dilakukan dengan cara acak sistematis sedangkan komposisi botani dilakukan, dengan metode pengukuran Summed Dominance Ratio (SDR) berdasarkan frekuensi (keseringan), berdasarkan density (kepadatan), berdasarkan area cover (penutupan tanah). Variabel yang diamati dalam penelitian ini meliputi pengamatan sistem pemeliharaan, jumlah dan jenis pakan yang diberikan, Produksi hijauan dan komposisi botani di padang penggembalaan dan pertambahan bobot badan ternak. Data yang diperoleh dalam penelitian ini dianalisis secara deskriptif (Mean dan Standart Deviasi). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sistem pemeliharaan sapi dara bali yang dipelihara di HMT Serading adalah sistem semi intensif, pakan yang diberikan dalam kandang adalah rumput raja (50,6%), lamtoro (16,3%), jerami padi (22,6%), dan jerami jagung (10,5%). Pakan yang tersedia dipadang penggembalaan adalah rumput bintang, rumput para dan ilalang dan termasuk dalam komposisi botani padang penggembalaan yang kurang baik dengan kapasitas daya tampung 0,4 UT/Ha/Tahun.

: Currently, the Lamtoro plant has become the prima donna of forage for ruminants in NTB Province. This plant is able to grow in relatively dry land and can be a source of protein for ruminants, maintenance and maintenance is relatively easy because it does not require a lot of water. On the other hand, the use of lamtoro as a source of protein for ruminant feed is an efficient step in meeting animal feed needs. Through the utilization of lamtoro, the use of less productive land can be utilized as well as a reforestation tree to prevent erosion, on the other hand, the use of lamtoro can increase farmers' income because the cost of foraging for food in the dry season can be minimized, the quality of feed given to livestock is maintained so that livestock productivity is maintained. The dry season remains high, therefore the Maju Bersama Group in the Filter Village of North Moyo District as one of the livestock groups in North Moyo District where the population does a lot of raising ruminant livestock, it is deemed necessary to carry out community empowerment service activities through counseling on “Lamtoro Cultivation As a Protein Source Feed Bank in North Moyo District, Sumbawa Regency. " Providing counseling in the form of demonstrations, speeches (lectures and questions and answers), and distribution of leaflets attended by 20 participants including members of farmer groups and local residents. The results of the counseling were considered very useful. This could be seen from the enthusiasm of the extension participants who attended both the question and answer session and the demonstration session. The output of this counseling result is an ISSN service journal and a brochure

Farmers are not used to giving leucaena leaves to the cattle they keep. This is because lack of information about benefits of leucaena is not widely known. Whereas leucaena leaves have high nutritional value and palatable. Cattle body weight can grow well, so farmers get an advantage when using leucaena as feed.Extension activity was conducted in Kelompok Tani Ternak Aik Kolong, Mura Village, District of Brang Ene, West Sumbawa Regency. Selection of places at the request of community leaders from this place. After the extension activities, farmers have begun to understand and realize that the maintenance cattle for fattening efforts absolutely need quality feed intake. Farmers will seed and a plant leucaena seed given in the cage area, yard, or in their fields after the rainy season arrives. This was conveyed in discussions (Q&A) events that developed during extension activities and technical guidance conducted in a simulation. In the end of activities, the farmers still hope that this kind of activity is more often done, so that their skills and knowledge on how to raise cattle fattening can be applied in the Group in particular and in Mura Village-Brang Ene, West Sumbawa Regency generally.

Profitable beef production is a pathway out of poverty for smallholder cattle farmers. Current systems of production are often not profitable and growth rates of bulls under village production systems are low with low income over food costs (IOFC). An analysis of daily IOFC of several production systems suggests that growth rates can be increased and a system for formulating rations to supply a certain amount of nutrients or target a specific growth rate on a least-cost basis would increase IOFC. Growth rate can only increase if metabolisable energy (ME) intake of the ration can be increased. A least-cost ration (LCR) formulation system provides a way of formulating rations to increase the ME content at the least cost and can modify rations based on the local availability and prices of ingredients. Such an approach has been shown to increase IOFC. The choice of breed is also important. Potential for growth declines from EuroxOngole to Ongole to Bali cattle but the IOFC for bulls of different breeds may not differ very much. The bigger breeds may not be able to express their potential for growth if inadequately fed and IOFC is reduced. A LCR process which accommodates feed price fluctuations can be used to formulate rations which promote high growth rates to increase IOFC. Examples are given of the approach and the application of the LCR system to devise new feeding systems.

Feed is still a major problem in the development of the livestock sub-sector. So far, farmers are still relying on animal feed needs from natural grass which causes low livestock productivity and limited livestock rearing capacity. To overcome these problems, the purpose of this community service activity is to provide training and assistance to female breeders to make complete feed and implement the use of complete feed for livestock. This training activity was carried out in Wanasaba Lauk Village, East Lombok Regency. Participants in the training activity were 15 female breeders under the Ridho Ilahi Center for Animal Husbandry. The method used in this study is the delivery of materials and the practice of making complete feeds. The training activity was carried out for 2 days and assistance for the application of complete feed technology was carried out for 3 months. The result of this training is that female farmers gain knowledge and skills in producing complete feed and in terms of capacity calculations, breeders are able to maintain a minimum of 5 heads of livestock which previously was only a maximum of 2 heads. Then in terms of productivity, average daily gain (ADG) of livestock reached 0.42 Kg/day.

Indigofera zollingeriana is a leguminous plant that has high protein content and dry matter digestibility and therefore a potential forage to support more productive ruminants. Effective development and distribution of this nutritious forage is using seeds as planting materials. The objective of this study is to identify types of pests mostly attack on Indigofera seeds that inhibit its propagation, and to evaluate the effectiveness of chemical and biological agents as pest control. Identification on pest types was done by trapping the pests, and then observed its type at the zoology laboratory of LIPI Bogor. Test of pest control was conducted in vitro at the Laboratory of Goat Research Station, using completely randomized design consisting of four pest control treatments and five replications. namely: (a) Chemical treatment (active ingredient Deltamethrin), (b) Biological treatment ( Beauvaria bassiana fungus), (c) Biological treatment ( Metarizium anisopliae fungus), and (d) Water treatment (control). Pests were put in the jars (three heads/jar) and carried out five replicates. Mortality rate was measured for five consecutive days. The results showed that Nezara viridula , Halyomorpha nr halys , and Tineidae sp. are the most common pests that attacked Indigofera zollingeriana seeds. The highest pest mortality rate (91.67-100%) was due to the chemical treatment on the first day of observation, and the treatment effect on pest mortality was significant. The biological treatment caused more than 50% seed mortality on day three and 100% mortality on the day five. It is concluded that chemical treatment on Indigofera zollingeriana seed is more effective to control pests compared to the biological or water treatments.

The aim of the study was to evaluate Bali cattle pre-weaning calf death in Central Lombok. Sick calves were examined their condition, followed by physiology examination. Then feces and blood samples were collected and examined for internal parasites and hematology. The results showed that the newborn calf was 57,2% (61), while calves sick was 16.5% (101) consisted of 7,2% (57) death calves and 9,3% still alive. Calves examination showed that 21, 05 % (12) was under weak conditions, 38.5% (22) with high temperature, 73, 5% (42) calves were found diarrhea. This diarrhea calves consisted of 50,8% (29) diarrhea, 3, 5% (2) diarrhea with blood stain, and 19, 2% (11) diarrhea with high temperature. The results of coproscopy showed that 14.03% (8) calves diarrhea were infected with parasites, such as protozoa (Eimeria sp), liver fluke (Fasciola sp) and gastro intestine worm (Trichuris sp, Trichostrongilus sp, and Bunostonum sp). Following evaluation of hematocrit, it was found that 33.3% (19) calves higher while 3.50% (2) lower. Following examination of Red Blood Cell, it was found that 98.2% (56) calves showed anemia hypochromic, 28.07% (16) showed anemia microcytic, 15,7% (9) macrocytic anemia, 5.2% (3) anemia hypochromic, 3.5% (2 calves) showed erythropenia. Leucocytes examinations showed that 35.08% (20 calves) showed by lymphocytosis, 7.01% (4 calves) leucocytosis, 1.75% (1 calf) leucopenia and 1.75% (1 calf) lymphocytopenia. It can be concluded that from the ill calves in the middle of the rainy season showed diarrhea with protozoa, liver fluke, and worms infestations. Hematology examination the sick calves indicated that there were anemia, lymphocytosis, dehydration, low content of blood corpuscular. Finally, the sick calves may be infected with parasites, protozoa’s, bacteria’s and viruses.

The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of dietary supplementation with a source ofbypass protein (cottonseed meal, CSM) on the performance of growing crossbred wethers fed lowdigestibility roughage at high ambient temperature. Sixteen unshorn Border Leicester x Merino lambsaged 6 months and weighing 24.90.37 kg were allocated into a 2x2 factorial design (2 diets and 2ambient temperatures). Each group was fed either wheaten chaff + 2% urea ad libitum or wheaten chaff +1% urea ad libitum + 100g/d cottonseed meal. The results show that respiration rate and rectal temperaturewere significantly affected by ambient temperature (P<0.01), but not by diet. Total dry matter intake wassignificantly higher (P<0.01) at lower temperature than at high temperature, and significantly higher(P=0.04) on the supplemented diet than on the control diet. Water intake tended (P=0.06) to be higher onthe CSM+ diet than on the control diet, and was significantly at greater (P<0.01) high ambient temperaturethan at low temperature. The concentration of NH3-N in the rumen fluid (ranged from 310±17 to 413±20mg N/L) did not differ significantly either between diets or ambient temperatures. Blood plasma ureanitrogen concentration was significantly higher in sheep on the control diet than in those on thesupplemented diet, and at low than high temperature. The organic matter digestibility was not significantlyaffected by temperature and diet. The rate of live weight gain was significantly (P<0.01) reduced by highambient temperature and the interaction between diet and temperature was significant (P<0.01). At lowtemperature, lambs on the supplemented diet grew significantly faster than those on the control diet, butnot at high temperature. In conclusion, high ambient temperature increases respiration rate, rectaltemperature and water intake but reduces dry matter intake and live weight gain. Supplementation with100 g/d of cottonseed meal could not outweigh the depressing effects of constant high ambienttemperature and humidity imposed in this experiment.

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Leucaena has been fed to cattle by the Balinese community in Sumbawa and West Sumbawa districts on Sumbawa Island since the 1980s. However, prior to 2011, this practice was not adopted by the local Sumbawanese farmers. Since then, a model leucaena-based cattle fattening system was developed in Sumbawa and West Sumbawa districts in a collaborative research project between the Assessment Institute for Agricultural Technology (BPTP), University of Mataram and The University of Queensland (UQ) funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), followed by a scaling-out project involving collaboration between the University of Mataram and CSIRO (Applied Research and Innovation Systems in Agriculture - ARISA project) funded by DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) promoting public-private partnerships. Further promotion of leucaena-based fattening systems occurred in Dompu, Sumbawa, through a project with the University of Mataram and Massey University funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). By the end of October 2018, more than 2,500 farmers on Sumbawa Island were practicing leucaena-based cattle fattening. The main drivers of adoption of cattle fattening with leucaena were: (1) The high growth rates achieved (0.4–0.6 kg/d for bulls fed 100% leucaena and 0.66 kg/d when maize grain was added to the leucaena basal diet) compared with 0.16 kg/d for the traditional system, combined with high profitability; (2) the needs of farmers being met in terms of relevance and cultural appropriateness; (3) field extension staff being well trained and mentored, and respected by the farmers; (4) the local government being highly supportive of leucaena-based cattle fattening; and (5) additional benefits being increased dressing percentage and high carcass quality. The rapid increase in the use of leucaena for cattle fattening in eastern Indonesia is expected to have a significant positive impact on household incomes as well as on regional economic growth.

Keynote paper presented at the International Leucaena Conference, 1‒3 November 2018, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.Research and government agencies in eastern Indonesia have identified 2 systems with potential to increase productivity and incomes of small-holder cattle producers: improved cattle feeding practices through forage tree legumes (FTL); and the development of more efficient and specialized cattle-fattening systems. Extensive research has been conducted on production and technical aspects of FTL-fattening systems, but there is a gap in research on economic incentives for households to adopt the systems. This paper provides an economic analysis of a leucaena-fattening system in a village in West Timor. It draws on trial data from associated technical research projects and detailed semi-structured interviews with farmers and other stakeholders to populate a bio-economic model built for the research. Under all measures of profitability, leucaena-fattening systems in representative households are profitable in the wet season. Importantly, ’returns to person days’ are higher than off-farm incomes. The activity generates cash income, increasingly required to meet cash expenses in modern rural Indonesian society. However, returns vary considerably between households, are considerably lower in the dry season and, as would be expected, are sensitive to relative prices of feeder and finished cattle.