Analysis of potential feed samples for the Indonesian feedlot industry and for inclusion in nutrition models for Indonesian cattle feeding systems

Summary

The Indonesian feedlot industry is a major destination of beef cattle exported from northern Australia. The industry is expanding but increasing pressure on available land for staple food production means the availability of traditional cattle feed sources is decreasing. In contrast, new industries are emerging which may potentially provide alternative cattle feed sources which were not previously available. Indonesian feedlot industry stakeholders indicated to MLA that a range of potential, novel feedstuffs may be available for inclusion in feedlot rations for cattle imported from Australia of which little or no nutritional information exists. The purpose of this project was for the University of Queensland (UQ) to co-ordinate the collection and analysis of feed samples collected by Indonesian feedlot industry stakeholders. Results and interpretation of analyses would then be reported to MLA and the Indonesian feedlot industry stakeholders. It was anticipated that UQ would provide the stakeholders and MLA with information on the potential inclusion of novel feed sources in the feedlot rations of cattle imported from Australia. MLA promoted the service amongst stakeholders and UQ prepared kits for feed sample collection and processing, which were distributed by MLA, and organised USA Government import approval for analysis in the Dairy One Laboratory, USA. However, there were no subsequent requests by stakeholders to submit samples for analysis, hence no feed analysis was conducted and no reports were prepared. The reason for the poor uptake of this service by the stakeholders is unknown but warrants follow-up to facilitate better uptake if future similar projects are envisaged by MLA.