Mixed Grazing Between Bali Cattle and Kacang Goats on Native Pastures

ABSTRACT: An experiment to study the carrying capacity of native pasture for continuous grazing of growing cattle and goats grazed concurrently was conducted in Gowa Sub Research Institute for Animal Production, South Sulawesi. Twenty four Bali steers (1.5 -2 years) were divided randomly into :.six groups %%here each group was kept continuously tit a 4-ha paddock of native pasture (1 animalfha). lato three of the paddocks. 15 male Kacang kids (4 -6 months) were also grazed for 8 hours/day. During one year observation covering the rain and dry sasens. pasture forage production in the paddocks fluctuated along with changuig of rainfalls in the :area Daily forage dry matter production was in the range of 28.2 - 42.7 kg/ha, averaging 40.9 kipha and 29.2 kg/ha, respectively, for the rainy and dry season. Grazing inuna.gentents (cattle alone or cattle with goats) did not affect (P>0.05) the average daily gain (ADG) of cattle, averaging 239 g and 64 g. respectively, for the rainy and dry season. The ADC5 of goats were 52 g in the rainy season and 17 g the dry season. It is concluded that carrying capacity of native pasture for continuous grazing of growing cattle with stocking rate of I animaliha may he increased with addition of goats at �75 headtha. 'l'o maintain the optimum growth of the animals, feed supplementation is suggested in the dry season. Key Words: Cattle. Coats. Mixed Grazing, Native Pasture, Carrying Capacit