Effect of Using Different Levels of Cassava Meal on Nutrient Intake, Fiber Digestibility and Body Condition Score in Crossbreed Limousin Bulls

Abstract

Abstract An experiment was conducted in Malang, East Java-Indonesia to evaluate the effect of using cassava meal in the diet at levels of 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 % on feed intake, fiber digestibility and profit margin in crossbreed Limousin bulls. In this trial, thirty crossbred Limousin bulls were allocated to a completely randomized block design with 6 blocks based on initial body weight and 5 treatments based on cassava meal level in the diet. The result of this research shows that the level of cassava meal significantly affected (P<0.05) on nutrient intake, fiber digestibility and body condition score (BCS). Treatment with 40% cassava meal had the highest nutrient intake, fiber digestibility and profit margin. The treatment with 70% cassava meal level had the lowest nutrient intake, fiber digestibility and BCS. It was concluded that a high level (>40%) of cassava meal in the diet reduced nutrient intake, fiber digestibilty and causing low BCS.