Kinerja Pengolahan dan Karakteristik Fisikomia Total Mixed Ration (TMR) dengan Metode Pengawetan Hijauan Berbeda

Processing Performance and Physicochemical Characteristics of Total Mixed Ration with Different Forage Preservation Methods

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the processing performance and physicochemical characteristics of total mixed ration (TMR) prepared using napier grass with different preservation methods. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three treatments and four blocks based on production time was employed, consisting of P1 = fresh napier grass, P2 = napier grass silage, and P3 = napier grass hay. The forage was processed using a chopper to obtain a particle size distribution consisting of 30% particles at 5 cm and 70% particles at 3 cm, and subsequently formulated into TMR containing 30% forage and 70% concentrate on a dry matter basis. The results showed that chopping particle size had a highly significant effect on forage loss during the chopping process (p<0.01). Different forage preservation methods had highly significant effects on dry matter content and TMR cost (p<0.01), and significant effects on the particle size distribution of forage and TMR and forage texture (p<0.05). The calculated nutrient composition of TMR varied among preservation methods, with ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) contents ranging from 7.95%–9.54%, 16.79%–17.85%, 3.31%–3.58%, 22.79%–25.19%, and 45.65%–47.66%, respectively, on a dry matter basis. These findings indicate that forage preservation methods influenced the processing performance, physical characteristics, and chemical composition-related attributes of TMR. It can be comcluded that the selection of an appropriate forage preservation method is important for achieving efficient TMR processing, desirable physicochemical characteristics, adequate nutrient composition, and economical TMR production.