Study on the Impact of Season and Location on the Native Pastures’ Quality in West Timor, Indonesia

Abstract

Aims: The objective of this experiment was to investigate the monthly changes of crude protein and NDF content of forages and the in vitro organic matter digestibility of forages obtained from native pastures in West Timor. Place and Duration of Study: Native pastures were located in three districts of West Timor, Indonesia. The collected forage samples were determined for crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in the laboratory of feed chemistry, the Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Marine and Fishery. The in vitro study was also conducted in the same laboratory. The study was conducted from December 2021 to October 2022. Methodology: Pasture samples were taken from six native pastures in three districts, i.e. districts of Kupang, Timor Tengah Selatan and Timor Tengah Utara. In each pasture, as many as five 40x40 cm quadrants of forages were clipped bimonthly throughout the year at 5 cm from the soil. Forage was then dried and composited for each district and thereafter sub-sampled for chemical analyses. Forage samples were determined for crude protein and NDF content as well as in vitro organic matter digestibility. Results: Results showed forage quality fluctuated with months. The CP content and IVOMD were highest (P<.05) during the beginning of the rainy season and the lowest during the late dry season.  In contrast, forage NDF content increased (P<.05) from 64% during the early wet season to 71-77% during the late wet season and dry season. There was no significant difference (P>.05) in the nutritive quality of native pasture among different districts in Timor. Conclusion: Pasture quality fluctuates with months and its pattern is comparable among districts.