Research Results - (PDF, 101 mb) - USAID

d. Testing technologies developed using onfarm
evaluations
One of the last steps in developing new
technologies is the testing of these technologies
at the farmer level. Many technologies work
well at research units but are not adopted by the
farmer for various social, economic, or other
reasons. Testing technologies with farms is an
important step before releasing the technology,
Sei Putih
a. Supplementation of local North Sumatra
and F1 ewes and lambs grazing native pasture
under rubber trees
Research on supplementing ewes grazing
pasture was initiated in 1984. The objective
of this study was to apply and compare the
recommendations reached in the previous
North Sumatra ewe supplementation trials
(conducted with Sumatra thin-tailed ewes) to
the recently developed F1 ewes. Pregnant local
(Sumatra thin-tail) and F1 ewes received supplementation
during the last six weeks of pregnancy.
The supplementation level during early
lactation was adjusted to the number of lambs
being nursed, and continued until a predetermined
constant lamb weight. Creep feeding
was tested for half of the lambs, in an attempt to
reduce weaning stress, improve post-weaning
growth, and accelerate puberty in ewe-lambs.
Performance of local and F1 ewes was also
compared.
b. Introduction of forage species and their
establishment in new rubber plantations
Introduction and evaluation of forage
grasses and legumes for eventual use under
rubber trees began in January, 1988. More than
50 accessions from Indonesia and Australia
sources were planted in replicated plots and
their performance compared in full sunlight.
Observations were made on growth, recovery
after harvest by handcutting or grazing, persistence,
nutritional quality, and resistance to
diseases and insects. The best of these introductions
were established under new rubber trees
and evaluated by cutting and grazing.
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c. Grazing management studies of sheep
under rubber trees
Little is known about the proper management
of forages growing under rubber trees
and grazed by sheep. An existing area of native
pasture under rubber trees (approximately 17
years old) was subdivided into one-hectare
plots, using a solar-powered electric fence. The
ewe breeding flock grazed the area in a rotational
scheme, based on visual evaluation or
remaining available herbage (for removal of
animals from the plot) and forage regrowth (to
decide on the length of the rotation cycle).
Information on the botanical composition of the
area was evaluated. With this information,
better systems of grazing management can be
developed that optimize animal performance
and improve or maintain forage quality and
quantity.
d. Effect of shading on growth of introduced
forages
Pots with 25 different forages will be
placed under rubber trees (same clone) that are
0-3, 3-5, 5-7, and 15 years old. Five pots will be
set in three locations per age of tree. Growth of
forage and light intensity will be measured
under each canopy.
e. Formation and evaluation of molasses
blocks with and without minerals
Molasses blocks have been successfully
formulated and produced. Mineral deficiencies
have been reported for some areas of Indonesia.
A mineral preparation to meet potential deficiencies
(based on mineral analyses of forages)
was included or omitted from the blocks.
Growth rate and feed efficiency of lambs fed the
molasses blocks with or without the minerals
was measured.
f. Free choice molasses supplementation to
grazing ewes
The most economical source of supplementation
energy has been molasses. Free
choice molasses with 3% urea was offered to 60
ewes while 60 ewes received pasture only. Ewe