Effect of Oil Palm Frond Utilisation as Green Roughage Feed on Katjang Goat’s Body Weight

Abstract

The impact of providing various types of fodders as the primary green feed for Katjang goats was assessed.Twelve male Katjang goats were divided into three groups and randomly assigned to three experimental diets:(1) oil palm frond ad libitum (OP); (2) undergrowth ad libitum (NU); and (3) Napier grass ad libitum (NG). The results of this study indicated that the daily fresh intake of green roughage was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the undergrowth treatment group than in the OPF and Napier grass treatment groups.However, feeding green roughage from OPF is equivalent to increasing the body weight of goats compared to using undergrowth and Napier grass. OPF is the most considered because it is more cost-effective than Napier grass, which must be planted and maintained. Furthermore, OPF is a by-product of oil palm cultivation, whereas undergrowth is limited in oil palm areas. Therefore, OPF is recommended for use as green roughage feed for Katjang goat farming in oil palm agriculture.