Graduate Student Asssociation (HMP) of Faculty of Animal Science (FAS) UGM trains the Ngudi Mulyo Livestock Group, Prambanan, to make mineral blocks on Sunday (2/9). This training is based on the complaints of farmers that their livestock are difficult to fat and require artificial insemination for several times to get pregnant.
“In general, farmers still use commercial minerals that are given only at certain times. The use of commercial minerals is less efficient because of its smooth and light shape, so it is easily carried away by the wind,” Ir. Nafiatul Umami, S.Pt., MP., Ph.D., IPM said as the supervisor of the community service program.
Nafiatul added, mineral deficiencies in livestock can cause reduced appetite, decreased body weight, impaired reproduction, and paralysis. “By giving mineral blocks, cattles here can consume minerals at any time,” she added.
In addition to training in making mineral blocks, HMP of FAS UGM also explained the optimization of animal feed forages by introducing new types of forage, namely odot grass. “This grass has a higher nutrient value, short production time, is preferred by cattle, and is easily cultivated,” Nafiatul explained.
The head of HMP of FAS UGM, Slamet Widodo, said that this community service activity was the second year program which was a continuation of the program in 2017. “There are several materials that will be delivered this year, including answering issues about reproduction, marketing of compost and disease management,” he said.
Meanwhile, the head of the Ngudi Mulyo Livestock Group, Sumarjo, welcomed the event and hoped that additional knowledge from the FAS UGM students could make the group better. (Nadia)