Effect of Substitution of Corn (<em>Zea mays</em>) Fodder with Sorghum (<em>Sorghum bicolor</em> var. Numbu) Fodder on Nutrient Digestibility and Daily Weight Gain of Beef Cattle

Abstract

Purpose:  Corn fodder is often used for fattening beef cattle, which compete for feeding other livestock. However, Sorghum fodder has a nutritional value equivalent to corn fodder. This study aims to determine the effect of substituting of corn fodder with sorghum fodder on the body weight gain of cattle and also the digestibility of nutrients.Research method: Nine local beef cattle with weights ranging from 139-239 kg were allocated in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments given were: R0 = basal ration (30% corn fodder + 70% concentrate); R1 =15% corn fodder +15% sorghum fodder +70% concentrate; and R2 = 30% sorghum fodder + 70% concentrate. The data were analyzed using covariance analysis. Body weight gain; digestibility of dry matter, digestibility of organic matter, digestibility of crude protein, and digestibility of crude fibre were measured.Findings: Based on the analysis of covariance, the study showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between substituted sorghum fodder and ration consumption, body weight gain, ration conversion, and digestibility of feed substances (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and crude fibre) in beef cattle. The results showed that body weight gain ranged from 0.63-1.18 kg/head/day, feed conversion ratio ranged from 5.12-9.66, and digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and crude fibre, 76.29%-79.10%; 79.16%-82.16%; 72.47%-76.13%; and 45.46%-46.70% respectively. This study revealed that Tebon corn can be completely (100%) substituted by fodder sorghum in beef cattle rations.Research limitations: This research was conducted at the farmer level, which causes the diversity of cattle used as experimental material to be quite high. Therefore, in analyzing the data, we used covariance analysis.Originality/Value: This research informs that the use of forage sorghum can replace corn fodder up to a limit of 100%.