Evaluation of feed quality for sustainable production and quality of buffalo milk in Siborong-Borong farm

Abstract

Buffalo is one of the livestock that produces milk with good quality protein and fat contents. The production and quality of milk produced by livestock are influenced by several factors, one of which is the quality of feed. The purpose of this study was to analyze the quality of feed in Siborong-Borong farms. The animals are using in this research are six buffalo. The variables in this research were nutrient contents of feed (crude protein, crude fibre, crude fat, and dry matter contents), milk production, milk quality (pH, protein, fat, and contamination of Escherichia coli), and buffalo body weight. The result shows that the quality of feed is still low, especially the quality of the forage. It has low protein (6.34%) and high fibre (49.56%). High ratio of concentrate in the ration also affects to the quality of milk. The milk production is 4.68 ± 0.17 L/head/day, and protein and fat contents in buffaloes milk are 3.72 ± 0.68 and 3.54 ±1.15 respectively. The low milk production is caused by the quality of forage and month lactation. Escherichia coli contamination of milk up to 8.7 APM/mL. It is caused by low hygiene during milking.