Nutritive Value of Grower Pig Ration Using Local Feeds in West Manokwari District, Manokwari

Abstract

A study was carried out to observe the nutritive value of grower pig ration using local feeds applied by farmers in West Manokwari district, Manokwari, Indonesia. Thirty-five pig farmers from 3 different places at West Manokwari district were used as respondents. Descriptive method with technical survey was used to know the followings: 1. Information on flock size of grower pigs owned by farmer, 2. Identification of local feeds used to formulate a ration, 3. Information on the quantity of each local feed used in the ration, and 4. Information on the frequency of grower pig feeding in a day. In addition, the chemical analysis of each local feed was applied. Data obtained was used to calculate the nutritive value (protein and energy contents) of the rations. Supporting data obtained were education background, age, and job preference of the farmer. Results showed that 80% of the grower pig rations using local feeds applied by the farmers in West Manokwari district had achieved the standard of protein requirement, but had not achieved the standard of energy requirement suggested by NRC. The majority of the farmers (49%) only had a high school education background. Approximately 86% of the farmer was in productive age, and about 63% said that pig farming was their primary job. In conclusion, local feeds were potential to be used as basic ingredient for the grower pig ration in West Manokwari district, however due to less knowledge of the farmer about feed formulation therefore the nutritive value (energy content) of the rations still below the nutritive standard suggested by the NRC.