did not have a significant effect

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 140 views

Introduction

Utilization of local resources is crucial in improving livestock efficiency. One of the ways to achieve this is by using the remaining harvest of banana plants as an alternative to grass in sheep feed. This study aimed to determine the effect of giving the remnant pellets of banana crops as a substitute for grass to feed consumption, increase in body weight, and conversion of feed in local male sheep.

Methodology

This study was conducted at the Animal Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra from July to November 2013. A total of 20 local sheep with a body weight range of 8.63 ± 2.06 kg were involved in the study. The livestock were divided into four treatment groups with five replications, using a Complete Randomized Design (RAL). The treatment given was:

P0: Pellets with a composition of 60% grass + 40% other feed
P1: Pellets with a composition of 20% residual banana crop harvest + 40% grass + 40% Other feed
P2: Pellets with a composition of 40% residual banana crop harvest + 20% grass + 40% Other feed
P3: Pellets with a composition of 60% residual banana crop harvest + 40% other feed

Results

The results showed that the use of banana crop residual pellets as a substitute for grass did not have a significant effect on feed consumption (325.32; 369.24; 369.91; 345.36 g/head/day), weight gain bodies (39.45; 51.24; 59.70; 55.32 g/head/day), and feed conversion (11.74; 7.63; 6,32; 7,11) in local sheep.

Discussion

Although the results did not show significant differences in the measured parameters, the study indicates the potential to use the remaining banana crop harvest as an alternative food source for sheep. This is important because the remaining harvest of banana plants is an abundant and easy to obtain resource, so as to reduce feed costs and increase the efficiency of livestock production.

Conclusion

The remaining pellets of banana crop harvests can be given to local male sheep and can be used as a substitute for grass up to 60%. This study provides valuable information on the potential use of local resources in improving livestock efficiency.

Further Analysis

Further research needs to be done to optimize the utilization of the residual crops of banana plants as sheep feed. Some aspects that need to be examined further include:

Pellet Composition: Research can be done to determine the optimal composition of the remaining banana crop harvest in pellets that can improve sheep performance.
Addition of Supplements: Research can be done to determine the effect of adding certain supplements on feed that contains residual crops of banana plants.
Long-term Effects: Long-term research is needed to see the long-term effects of the use of banana crop residues as sheep feed.

Benefits

Utilization of the remaining harvest of banana plants as alternative feed has several benefits, including:

Increasing Efficiency: The remaining banana crop harvest is an abundant local resource and can be obtained at a relatively low cost, so as to reduce feed costs and increase animal husbandry efficiency.
Increasing Sustainability: Utilization of the remaining harvest of banana plants can reduce agricultural waste and support a more sustainable livestock system.
Increasing Food Security: Utilization of the remaining harvest of banana plants can support food security through increasing livestock production.

Conclusion

Utilization of the remaining harvest of banana plants as sheep feed is a positive step to improve the efficiency and sustainability of animal husbandry in Indonesia. Further research is needed to optimize the use of local resources and support sustainable livestock development.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Further Research: Further research is needed to optimize the utilization of the residual crops of banana plants as sheep feed.
Development of New Feed Formulations: New feed formulations that incorporate the remaining banana crop harvest can be developed to improve sheep performance.
Promotion of Sustainable Livestock Production: The use of local resources such as the remaining banana crop harvest can be promoted as a sustainable livestock production practice.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small Sample Size: The sample size of this study was small, which may have limited the generalizability of the findings.
Short Study Period: The study period was short, which may have limited the ability to observe long-term effects.
Limited Treatment Groups: The study only included four treatment groups, which may have limited the ability to observe significant differences between treatments.

Future Directions

Future studies can build on the findings of this study by:

Increasing Sample Size: Increasing the sample size to improve the generalizability of the findings.
Extending Study Period: Extending the study period to observe long-term effects.
Incorporating Additional Treatments: Incorporating additional treatments to improve the ability to observe significant differences between treatments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides valuable information on the potential use of local resources in improving livestock efficiency. The findings of this study indicate that the remaining harvest of banana plants can be used as a substitute for grass in sheep feed. Further research is needed to optimize the utilization of the residual crops of banana plants as sheep feed.

Q1: What is the purpose of this study?

A1: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of giving the remnant pellets of banana crops as a substitute for grass to feed consumption, increase in body weight, and conversion of feed in local male sheep.

Q2: What were the treatment groups in this study?

A2: The treatment groups in this study were:

P0: Pellets with a composition of 60% grass + 40% other feed
P1: Pellets with a composition of 20% residual banana crop harvest + 40% grass + 40% Other feed
P2: Pellets with a composition of 40% residual banana crop harvest + 20% grass + 40% Other feed
P3: Pellets with a composition of 60% residual banana crop harvest + 40% other feed

Q3: What were the results of this study?

A3: The results of this study showed that the use of banana crop residual pellets as a substitute for grass did not have a significant effect on feed consumption, weight gain bodies, and feed conversion in local sheep.

Q4: What are the benefits of utilizing the remaining harvest of banana plants as alternative feed?

A4: The benefits of utilizing the remaining harvest of banana plants as alternative feed include:

Increasing Efficiency: The remaining banana crop harvest is an abundant local resource and can be obtained at a relatively low cost, so as to reduce feed costs and increase animal husbandry efficiency.
Increasing Sustainability: Utilization of the remaining harvest of banana plants can reduce agricultural waste and support a more sustainable livestock system.
Increasing Food Security: Utilization of the remaining harvest of banana plants can support food security through increasing livestock production.

Q5: What are the limitations of this study?

A5: The limitations of this study include:

Small Sample Size: The sample size of this study was small, which may have limited the generalizability of the findings.
Short Study Period: The study period was short, which may have limited the ability to observe long-term effects.
Limited Treatment Groups: The study only included four treatment groups, which may have limited the ability to observe significant differences between treatments.

Q6: What are the future directions for this study?

A6: Future studies can build on the findings of this study by:

Increasing Sample Size: Increasing the sample size to improve the generalizability of the findings.
Extending Study Period: Extending the study period to observe long-term effects.
Incorporating Additional Treatments: Incorporating additional treatments to improve the ability to observe significant differences between treatments.

Q7: Can the remaining harvest of banana plants be used as a substitute for grass in sheep feed?

A7: Yes, the remaining harvest of banana plants can be used as a substitute for grass in sheep feed, but further research is needed to optimize the utilization of the residual crops of banana plants as sheep feed.

Q8: What are the potential applications of this study?

A8: The potential applications of this study include:

Development of New Feed Formulations: New feed formulations that incorporate the remaining banana crop harvest can be developed to improve sheep performance.
Promotion of Sustainable Livestock Production: The use of local resources such as the remaining banana crop harvest can be promoted as a sustainable livestock production practice.
Improvement of Animal Husbandry Efficiency: The use of the remaining harvest of banana plants as alternative feed can improve animal husbandry efficiency by reducing feed costs and increasing livestock production.

Q9: What are the implications of this study for animal husbandry?

A9: The implications of this study for animal husbandry are:

Increased Efficiency: The use of local resources such as the remaining banana crop harvest can improve animal husbandry efficiency by reducing feed costs and increasing livestock production.
Increased Sustainability: Utilization of the remaining harvest of banana plants can reduce agricultural waste and support a more sustainable livestock system.
Increased Food Security: Utilization of the remaining harvest of banana plants can support food security through increasing livestock production.

Q10: What are the next steps for this study?

A10: The next steps for this study include:

Further Research: Further research is needed to optimize the utilization of the residual crops of banana plants as sheep feed.
Development of New Feed Formulations: New feed formulations that incorporate the remaining banana crop harvest can be developed to improve sheep performance.
Promotion of Sustainable Livestock Production: The use of local resources such as the remaining banana crop harvest can be promoted as a sustainable livestock production practice.