The Increase of Ruminant Population Based on Agricultural Waste Potential as Feed in Aceh Tamiang District

Livestock management includes the systems of maintenance, reproduction, and waste utilization. This study aims to examine the potential of feed sources for ruminants (cows and buffaloes) and efforts to maintain continuous feed availability associated with ruminant livestock development strategies. The data used were primary and secondary data of feed sources. Furthermore, the variables observed include cattle and buffalo population, agricultural waste production, digested dry matter (DDM), and carrying capacity. The results showed that Seruway sub-district had the highest population of cattle with 8,378 cows (4,933 ST) or 20.35% while Karang Baru sub-district had the highest population of 70 buffalo (34 ST) or 40.23%. Meanwhile, Manyak Payed sub-district produced the highest agricultural waste with 5,029.32 DDM tons/year while the low district was Kuala Simpang city. Moreover, the commodity that produces the highest agricultural waste is rice which is scattered in all districts with a total of 19,370.65 DDM tons/year. Although the cassava plant was not in all districts, it has the potential of producing 48,154.5 tons/year DDM. Furthermore, the sub-district with a great opportunity was Karang Baru which produces an unutilized potential of 2,718.23 tons/year and a carrying capacity of 2,384.41 (ST/year). This showed that Kejuruan Muda subdistrict has insufficient agricultural waste for cattle and buffalo, therefore, breeders in this sub-district get feed from the plantation and other wastes. Based on the results, Aceh Tamiang district has the potential to increase the ruminants population by utilizing forage feed from agricultural waste