Feed lotting Brahman Cattle in Sarawak

The Brahman or Brahma is a breed of Zebu cattle (Bos primigenius indicus), later exported from India to the rest of the world. The main breeds used were Kankrej, Gujarat, Nelore or Ongole and the Gir or Gyr cattle.

Cattle Competition During MAHA

Cattle displayed in the cattle yard during MAHA exhibition in Serdang, Malaysia recently

Cattle Exhibition MAHA 2012

Cattle were display during the exhibition. In Malaysia cattle integration with Oil Palm is a proven system for rearing cattle. The fresh fruit bunch increase by 2 tonne per ha per year.

INTEGRATION OF YELLOW CATTLE IN OIL PALM

by: KAMIL AZMI TOHIRAN; SUBOH ISMAIL; RAJA ZULKIFLI RAJA OMAR; WAHID OMAR and ZULKIFLI ABDULLAH

Optimizing land use in oil palm plantations is becoming increasingly important to maximize income from the crop. In 2000, MPOB introduced the integration of cattle in oil palm, and adoption of the practice has been good.

In 2003, to upgrade the integration model, MPOB imported Yellow Cattle from China, a breed known for its hardiness and good adaptability to tropical climates. A total of 828 Yellow Cattle cows and 50 Brahman-KK (Kedah Kelantan) bulls were intro- duced into an area of 4000 ha in Ladang Sungai Gayung and Ladang Sungai Marung in Pahang, in a system of rotational grazing.

The cattle calv- ing, mortality rates, temperament and oil palm pa- rameters were recorded. The overall performance of the breed was very promising with the cattle adapting well to the oil palm environment. The calving rate was high (>74%), and the herd and calf mortality rates low (2.0% and 2.1%, respectively). The trial showed that rearing Yellow Cattle under rotational grazing in oil palm is profitable, and the practice is, therefore, highly recommended for oil palm owners.

METHODOLOGY
As young oil palm is very susceptible to damage by livestock, cattle should not be integrated in the crop under five years old. The integration model proposed is based on smaller breeding stock size which running 100 cows with five bulls in 400 ha of oil palm, in paddocks enclosed by electric fenc- ing. This is the minimum economic size possible for this project.

Breeding Stock and Facilities
Selecting good quality breeders is essential to the success of the project. The cattle have to be screened for diseases that may affect their produc-
tivity, such as brucellosis and Johne’s disease. As a precaution, the Yellow Cattle imported were vac- cinated against foot and mouth disease (FMD), se- rotypes O, A and Asia 1. On arrival on the estates, they were treated against Helminthes and exter- nal parasites with Ivermectin Pour-On. To en- sure easy setting up of the paddocks for optimum grazing, two portable sets of electrical fences are required. Each set comprises an energizer, a wet cell battery, insulated rods and polywires. Other facilities required in the system are a water tank, portable handling yard and portable feed and wa- ter trough.
Grazing and Oil Palm Management
Before the cattle can be released into the paddock, they would need to be familiarized with the elec- tric fence.

This can be done by confining them for a day in a control yard of about 10 ha, with a perim- eter of a single line (Gauge 14) poly wire charged by a 60N 12-volt rechargeable lead battery. The plantation area is divided into several paddocks. With the cattle grazing one block, the next must already be ready for the next day’s grazing. The rotation must be sufficiently long for the grasses to have recovered before their next grazing. This would normally require 60-80 days depending on the grasses available (Figure 1). The oil palm is managed under standard estate practices. For the purpose of this study to monitor the effect of the cattle on the soil properties, soil compaction and nutrient levels were evaluated (Figure 2).

Daily Operation and Breeding Management
One worker is required to look after 100 breeding cows in daily operation. The cattle are only al- lowed to graze one paddock a day to optimize the grazing (Figure 3). Besides looking after the cattle, the worker can also do some field work. The un- grazed grasses/weeds are removed, either chemi- cally or by slashing. The bulls are allowed to run and mate freely with the cows at all times; the bull: cow ratio should be 1:20. Therefore, each herd of 100 cows would require five bulls. To avoid in- breeding in the herd, the bulls are replaced every three years. The sale of male calves at about 1.5 years old will also minimize inbreeding.

Pregnancy diagnosis is done every six months and the cows that are infertile culled. A mineral block and water must be available at all times. To evalu- ate the individual animal performance, behaviours such as feeding, mating and calving need to be monitored. All the animals are weighed every six months and tested for brucellosis, FMD, Johne’s disease, salmonellosis and tuberculosis one year after arrival in the estate.

Yellow Cattle Characteristics
The Yellow Cattle were observed to be hardy, doc- ile and easy to manage (Figure 4). The calving rate was high (>74%), and herd and calf mortality rates low (2.0% and 2.1%, respectively). There were no detrimental effects of the cattle on the oil palm growth and production, soil compaction and nu- trient levels.
BENEFITS
Figure 1. Rotational grazing map.
Figure 3. Cattle grazing in paddock enclosed by electric fence.
• Cattle dung and urine improve the soil fertility; and
• Eco-friendly approach for sustainable palm oil production.
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
CONCLUSION
The performance of Yellow Cattle under rotational grazing in oil palm is very encouraging. The breed adapted well to the oil palm area. Integration of the cattle with oil palm is economically viable. Thus, it is recommended to group smallholders and plantations. The project would increase the crop income not only by reducing the weeding cost but also from the sale of animals which would also reduce the national imports of beef.
Figure 4.Yellow cattle are hardy, docile and easy to manage.


MPOB INFORMATION SERIES • ISSN 1511-7871 • JUNE 2008
MPOB TT No. 410
Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities, Malaysia
P. O. Box 10620, 50720 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tel: 03-87694400 Website: www.mpob.gov.my Telefax: 03-89259446

Sarawak Strategies To Increase Cattle Population

Veterinary Division has formulated strategies to increase the cattle population in the state.
1. Leverage of cattle integration with oil palm.
2. Explore alternative agriculture inputs
3. Enhance R & D - Blue Ocean strategy.

How EasyWean® works in Oil Palm Estate

The use of cattle as a biological agent for weed control in oil palm plantations allows the establishment of a harmonious relationship between cattle, the undergrowth and oil palm trees. This relationship has resulted in reduction in the cost of weeding using chemicals by 40 to 70%, optimum beef production and optimal land use.

Most plantation adopt natural breeding due to nature of the cattle grazing in a vast land under oil plant. The study shows that the calving rate are lest than 50%. Therefore we are studying method on how to improve the calving rate especially when in involve Brahman cattle. One of the estate in Sarawak is using easywean method and found to be an effective management tools to improve the calving rate and reduce stress.

EasyWean® noserings provide an alternative to the stress inducing practice of separating young from their mothers during the weaning period.

Easywean® noserings allow the calf or lamb to stay with it's mother and mob whilst still being effective at weaning the animal.

The reason why EasyWean® works is twofold. Firstly the calf is less able to access the teat with a nosering flopping around in front of its mouth. Secondly the cow is made uncomfortable with the calf’s persistent attempts, with the spikes causing her to move away from the calf. As a result the lactation is supressed but the calf does not suffer the usual growth setback at weaning caused by separation and emotional stress.

Brahman Cattle Integration With Tree Crop

Brahman cattle were seen grazing freely at one of the Oil Palm estate in Sarawak using electric fencing to control the animal.

Integrating cattle into oil palm plantations utilises existing agricultural land without requiring the opening up of new areas. At present,the management by using paddock rotation so that cattle are brought to the original paddock only once in every 90 days. This rotation will ensure that enough time has elapsed for the vegetation to return to normal and for the cow dung to fully decompose, be converted to fertiliser and taken up by
the crop. Since each paddock is subjected to trampling only once in 3 months no significant damage is done to the farm in the way of soil compaction.

The initiative will be two-pronged. One is to expand cattle population to meet the national target of 1.49 million head by 2010. The other is to increase farm productivity and farm family income.

Cattle are introduced into oil palm plantations after the palms are 5 years old and can remain until the oil palm is fully mature. When the palm reaches 20 years of age, the vegetation will be reduced, so accordingly, the density of cattle should also be reduced. The recommended stocking rate is 1 cow in 4 ha of the oil palm plantation.

Organic Fertilizer

Cattle dungs for the production of organic fertilizer.

Cattle Feedlot in Serian

One of our hardcore poor eradication project using male Brahman Cross

Brahman Cattle in the Oil Palm Plantation

Brahman Cattle grazing in the Oil Palm Estate control by the electric fencing.

Murrah Buffalo In Limbang, Sarawak

Recommended fodder for feedlotting is Taiwan Napier. The protein contain up to 18% is sufficient.

Murrah Buffalo

The Murrah breed of Water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is a breed of domestic water buffalo kept for dairy production. It is originally from Punjab and Haryana states of India and Punjab province of Pakistan, but has been used to improve the milk production of dairy buffalo in other countries, such as Italy, Bulgaria and Egypt.

In Italy, it is the basis of Mozzarella cheese production, and therefore Italian Pizza. By Italian law, Mozzarella may only be made from buffalo milk, which is preferred for its very high butterfat content, up to 10% compared with 4% for European (Bos taurus) dairy breeds such as Jersey cattle and 6% for Zebu (Bos indicus) breeds such as Sahiwal.

Murrah breed of buffalo, the pride of Haryana, is a milk type animal. The home tract of Murrah buffalo is Rohtak, Jind and Hisar districts of Haryana (India). It is also found in Nabha and Patiala districts of Punjab (India) and around Delhi .

The Murrah buffalo is good milk producer, not only in India but also probably in the world. The bulls of this breed are extensively used to upgrade the non-descript buffalo stock. Graded Murrah buffaloes are also usually available in various parts of India.

How To Integrate Cattle With Oil Palm Plantation

In this blog, I will spell out one by one on how to gain maximum benefit from cattle integration with oil palm. Beside improvement on soil fertility, cost of weeding were greatly reduce up to 70%.
1. Recommended area to start with minimum of 10 ha for 10 heads of Brahman cattle if you are a smallholder oil palm planter (1 male to 10 females)
2. Age of palm minimum 5 years to avoid cattle feeding on palm frond.
3. An electric fencing for rotational grazing
4. A simple cattle shed for deworming and treatment
5. Potable water tank for providing clean water
6. Mineral lick for mineral supplement.

Cattle Integration With Oil Palm Trees

This is one of the cattle integration project undertaken by SALCRA, Sarawak in Mongkos.

According to the farm manager, a reduction of 40% on weeding cost was recorded for the past 10 years since the project started.

With the annual sales of over 100 heads of cattle per year, this project able to contribute more than RM500,000 in revenue.

Pictures below shows a herd of Brahman cattle grazing under 20 years old oil palm with electric fencing covering an area of 2 hectares as a method to control movement of animal.

1,498 heads of Australian Cattle Imported into Sarawak

Some 1,498 heads of cattle which arrived at Bintulu Port yesterday will be driven to PPES Karabungan Farm in Miri and Kuching Abattoir.

BINTULU: A total of 1,498 head of cattle arrived safely at Bintulu Port yesterday after a 10-day journey from the PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd farm in Northern Territory Australia.

Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) general manager Soedirman Aini said the shipment was mainly to support the supply of live, fresh, clean, healthy and halal beef for the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Qurban.

“With this we should be able to meet the demand for live animal and fresh beef for any festive occasion, particularly Hari Raya Qurban,” he told reporters while waiting to unload the cattle from the NV Nine Eagle which departed from Karumba Port Australia last July 14.

Also present were PPES Ternak Sdn Bhd general manager Aslansia Yahya and its senior marketing executive Artino Arshad.
He said this shipment was evidence that Sarawak had enough fresh beef supplied by SEDC to cater to various occasions.

SEDC obtained its supply of cattle for the local market from its 300,000 hectare cattle farm in Northern Territory Australia, said Soedirman.
“This farm is four times bigger than Singapore and with the capacity of 30,000 animals, the farm in Northern Territory has been the main supplier of cattle for Sarawak until now,” he said.
Soedirman assured that the price was competitive and they aim to ensure enough beef for the coming Aidilfitri and Qurban at a reasonable price.
“Three quarters of the animals will be distributed to Karabungan because we have our feedlot to fatten the animals, we have to get these animals in good shape after the long 10 days’ journey from Australia,” he added.

The cattle, comprising breeders and carling, would be distributed to PPES Karabungan Farm in Miri and Kuching Abattoir, said Aslansia Yahya.
He said booking for live animals and fresh beef could be made through PPES Ternak Kuching at 082-482015 and PPES Ternak Miri at 085-739317.
The cattle is priced from RM3,800 to RM7,220 per head based on weight.
Additionally, fresh beef can also be purchased at SEDC Sarabif outlest at Jalan Mersawa in Bintawa, Satok and Kubah Ria Complex in Kuching.

SEDC has been the main player in the livestock industry in Sarawak, after taking over the Karabungan Farm in Miri and Kuching Abattoir in Kuching from Majuternak in 1982.
SEDC has another 14,700 hectare cattle farm in Queensland Australia to supply to the Australian market.


Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07/25/shipment-of-cattle-from-australia-arrives-in-bintulu/#ixzz21zc0LqZk

Posted on July 14, 2012, Saturday

KUCHING: Sarawak may become a beef exporter and be self sufficient in beef if Sarawak SEDC took up the challenge of venturing into joint cattle farming at oil palm plantations throughout the state. Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang hoped SEDC would consider this possibility by forming smart partnership with plantation big wigs such as Salcra, Felda, Felcra and other firms, including those operated by individuals.

He said cattle could thrive and breed at oil palm plantations, and that the meat would be safe, clean and healthy if good agriculture practices were observed. “This is the time to tap this new opportunity. It has been done in Selangor, so why shouldn’t we try it in Sarawak? Through this, SEDC will not only become a supplier of beef and beef products to the state, but will also be able to export to the peninsula and abroad.

“My ministry will give its support,” said Jabu, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, at the launch of ‘Beef Fest’ at Kubah Ria Complex yesterday. Jabu told those present that Sarawak currently produced 1,170 metric tonnes of beef, but the amount of imported fresh and frozen beef is 10,000 metric tonnes. Because of the high demand for beef, he said the state government aimed to increase production of local beef to 3,920 metric tonnes by 2015.

On the Agriculture Department’s part, he said the department would implement various programmes to increase the heads of cattle from 18,000 at present to 25,000 within the next three years. “The state government hopes to achieve self sufficiency level in beef from eight percent at present to 40 percent in the very near future.”

On SEDC, he said it could be a flagship company in cattle farming not just for the state but also the entire nation. He noted that SEDC had already blazed the trail by becoming the first Malaysian agency to have two cattle farms overseas – at Rosewood Station in Northern Authority and Strathmere-Beardie Aggregation in Queensland, Australia.

Jabu also dwelled on a stigma associated with beef. He said that in reality eating fresh, clean and healthy beef in the appropriate portion was beneficial to one’s health. “Apart from protein, fresh beef also contains nutrients such as iron, zinc, vitamin B6 and B12, and omega-3 fatty acids.”

Meanwhile, SEDC chairman Datuk Talib Zulpilip, who was also present, said the corporation was mulling the possibility of buying cattle bred at Salcra’s oil palm plantations. He said SEDC, which has 30 years of experience in beef production, wanted to continue working closely with the Ministry of Modernisation of Agriculture.

On the Beef Fest, he said it was a two-day event to promote the eating of fresh beef. Various programmes, including a talk on ‘Goodness of Beef’ and cooking competitions, would be held at Kubah Ria Complex today. “We will be offering discounts from 12 per cent to 23 per cent. Our beef is certified fresh and halal, and cheaper than those at other places.”

Also present yesterday were State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar, political secretary to the chief minister Abu Seman Jahwie, Beting Maro assemblyman Razalli Gapor and SEDC general manager Soedirman Aini.

Read more: http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/07/14/theres-moo-ney-in-cattle-farming/#ixzz20bluuHpA

Senawang Cattle Abattoir

Slaughtering cattle at Senawang Abattoir, Negeri Sembilan.