Hematocrit, Hemoglobin, and Lymphocytes Level of Friesian Holstein Dairy Cows Supplemented by Urea Multi-Nutrient Molasses Block Containing Cement Substituted by Tapioca Meal Hasbi Hasbi, Andi Mutfaidah, Renny Fatmyah Utamy, Ambo Ako, Zyahrul Ramadan, Rara Mufliha, Tasya Tasya, Andi Fitri Nurbina, Rio Saputra, I Dewa Ayu Mahayani, Utlul Ilma Navia, Andi Arif Rahman, Siti Annisa Sukri, Mohammad Mijanur Rahman
Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Hasanuddin, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Undergratuate Student of Faculty of Animal Science, University of Hasanuddin, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia Laboratories at the Laboratory of Dairy Cow, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Hasanuddin, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Graduate Student of Animal Production Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Hasanuddin, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus 17600 Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia
Abstract
Urea Molasses Multi-nutrient Block (UMMB) is a feed supplement for ruminants in compact and rich in nutrients. Generally, UMMB adhesive material is the cement that functions to keep the UMMB in shape so it doesn^t crumble. Tapioca meal has the potential as an adhesive for UMMB production because it has a high starch content. The objective of this study was to determine the level of hematocrit, hemoglobin, and lymphocytes of lactating Friesian Holstein cows that were fed UMMB substituted cement adhesive with tapioca meal. A total of 20 lactating cows was divided into 5 dietary groups in a completely randomized design and each treatment had 4 cows as replicates. The dietary treatments consisted of UMMB with 100% of cement adhesive (as A0)- 75% cement + 25% tapioca meal (A1)- 50% cement + 50% tapioca meal (A2)- 25% cement + 75% tapioca meal (A3)- and 100% tapioca meal (A4). The results revealed that the dietary treatments had a significant (P<0.05) effect on the levels of hematocrit and hemoglobin, which the substitution of tapioca meal of more than 50% caused the decreased levels of hematocrit and hemoglobin. On the other hand, the dietary treatments did not significantly (P>0.05) differ in the level of lymphocytes. The levels of hemoglobin and lymphocyte were within the threshold while the level of hematocrit was below the threshold. Therefore, it can be concluded that the substitution of cement with tapioca meal in UMMB production should not be more than 50%.
