Forages Production and Carrying Capacity of Grazing Field in the Captive Breeding Area for Timor Deer (Cervus timorensis de Blainville 1882) at Wosu Village, Central Sulawesi
M.S. Arifuddin, Damry, Najamudin, a)M. Mangun, Sirajuddin, Mirajuddin

Faculty of Animal Science and Fisheries, Tadulako University, Palu 94119, Indonesia

a)Corresponding author: mardiahmangun18[at]gmail.com

Abstract

A research has been conducted to determine the botanical types and composition and the carrying capacity of the grazing field of a captive breeding area for Timor deer (Cervus timorensis) at Wosu Village, Bungku Barat District, Morowali District, Central Sulawesi Province from April 26 to May 16, 2018. Forage samples were taken with a destructive sampling method using a pair of 1 x 1m frame. Dry matter content of the forage samples was analyzed at the Animal Nutrition and Feeding Laboratory, Tadulako University. Data were analyzed and results were presented descriptively. The results showed that the botanical composition of the was 83% grasses and 17% weeds. The grasses were dominated by Imperata cylindrica, Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus kyllingia Endl., and Paspalum conjugatum. The carrying capacity of the grazing field was about 4.14 deer/ha/year. In conclusion, the carrying capacity of the grazing field that can be kept in the breeding area (20ha) is 83 animals / year.

Keywords: Timor deer (Cervus timorensis), feed, captive breeding, botanical composition, carrying capacity

Topic: Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology