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The body condition and reproduction performances of Bali cattle cows

through the improved feeding in the intensive management system
To cite this article: S Baco et al 2020 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 492 012101

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The 2nd International Conference of Animal Science and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 492 (2020) 012101 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/492/1/012101

The body condition and reproduction performances of Bali

cattle cows through the improved feeding in the intensive
management system

S Baco, R Malaka, Zulkharnaim and M Hatta

Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas
Hasanuddin, Makassar 90245 South Sulawesi, Indonesia

E-mail: sudirmanbaco@gmail.com

Abstract. Bali cows are native livestock in Indonesia which are widely farmed by farmers in
eastern Indonesia, due to their high level of adaptation to the environment, but with traditional
management, performance is very low. Therefore it is necessary to improve management
through improved feed. A study was conducted to determine body condition and reproductive
performance of Bali cattle in the breeding period with an intensive management system. A total
of 15 dams of Bali cattle reared in a group pen with one head bull. The breeding system, which
was implemented in a natural mating system, where the male bull was released together in one
pen continuously. Concentrate feed was given 1.5 % of body weight of livestock and
forage/grass ad-libitum. Parameters were observed included body condition score (BCS), the
first postpartum estrus, pregnancy rate and service per conception (S/C). The results showed
that the improvement of feeding the management in the breeding period after calving: 1)
improving the body condition of the dam cows from 5.4±0.8 to 6.3±1.0 during the first 3
months with an intensive maintenance system and 6.7±0.8 during the first 6 months of
maintenance. 2) The first estrus post parturition was 64.5±31.5 days. 3) Gestation/ pregnancy
rate for 3 months in the improved feeding on the intensive rearing was 53.8% with S/C 2.2±0.5
and 100% pregnancy rates with S/C 2.5±0.8 during the first 6-months in the improved feeding
on the maintained intensive system.

1. Introduction
Bali cattle are native livestock originating from Indonesia, which are widely nourished by farmers in
South Sulawesi. These cattle have several advantages, among others, namely are not selective and able
to consume utilize low quality feed, have a high level of adaptation to the environment and can even
live and produce well on critical land compared to other cattle [1] and they have a high percentage of
carcass, meat that is slightly fat and its meat tenderness is not inferior to imported beef [2]. Thus Bali
cattle can make an important contribution in improving the welfare of the community so that Bali
cattle are used as the main commodity of South Sulawesi in the field of animal husbandry. Even, in
addition, the government of South Sulawesi was targeting a population growth in 2013 of 1 million
heads through the one million cows achievement Program to Support the Meat Self-Sufficiency
Program (PSDS) in 2019 and the Government's National Meat Capital Sufficiency Program [3].
Furthermore, the discourse carried out the movement achievement population of 2 million heads by
2018. By looking at the condition and the appearance of Bali cattle in South Sulawesi at this time by
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The 2nd International Conference of Animal Science and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 492 (2020) 012101 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/492/1/012101

some researchers have pointed out that Bali cattle have a decrease in genetic quality and productivity
[4,5]. It can be seen that it is very difficult to get a young female cow with a shoulder height greater
than 104 cm. The decrease in the performance of Bali cattle may be due to inbreeding, seed stock
factor, and the absence of superior bulls within the community livestock groups used as superior males
resulting in randomized, unattended inbreeding within the group [6,7]. In addition, the management of
the parent handling during the breeding or mating season also received poor attention. Nevertheless,
research on the analysis of genetic diversity of Bali cattle in South Sulawesi shows that genetic
diversity is still high [8]. This provides an indication that it is highly likely the improvements in the
performance and productivity of Bali cattle can be improved through genetic and environmental or
management improvements [9]. Theoretically, the determinants of productivity level and livestock
performances are genetic factors (livestock) and environment (feed, maintenance management, health,
climate and so on).
In general, the management of Bali cattle in the traditional community is very low in productivity.
The maintenance system is unable to exploit the performances potential of livestock despite the
genetically possessing high productivity potential [3,10]. Field surveys showed that cattle pregnancy
rates in smallholder farms are still low (20–40%), the age at first calving is 3-4 years, long in calving
interval of 1.5–2 years and low calf weaning weight (70–80 kg), and even the calf mortality rate is
very high (30–50%). When compared to the potential of Bali cattle, productivity is still very low [1].
According to my experience of preliminary studies at the Livestock Breeding Laboratory of the
Hasanuddin University Faculty of Animal Husbandry, the Bali cattle rearing with Semi-Intensive in
Cattle Laboratory of Hasanuddin University, the temporary result show that pregnancy rate and
calving can reach 95% [4], but the high rate of calf death was 20–30% and calf growth before weaning
was 0.1–0.2 kg per head per day [9]. The results from the management experience at the Cattle
Laboratory were: 1) with the improvement of management through Semi-Intensive maintenance
pattern by additional feeding of limited rice bran, this can increase pregnancy rate and calving rate but
not influencing calf mortality rate 2) calf growth before weaning is still low, so the weight of calf at
weaning weight is low too, thus the first time of puberty, pregnancy, and calving is delayed, the
interval of calving is long, consequently production cost is high and inefficient.
The problems mentioned above it can be assumed that one of the causes is the quality of animal
feed and the management patterns applied. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research on the effects
of improved management through improved feeding on the level of productivity and performance of
Bali cattle, if they are maintained intensively. Improvement of feeding during the breeding period, it is
expected to increase the level of cows productivity, so that the weaning accelerated with high calf
weight, It can so accelerate the age of first breeding and age of the first calving. Furthermore, the
efficiency of production costs and farmers get optimal benefits [4].

2. Research methods

2.1. Location of research

The study was conducted at the Laboratory of Cattle Livestock, Hasanuddin University, Makassar and
at the community/people's farm in Cenrana district, Maros regency, South Sulawesi. The research was
conducted at Beef Cattle Laboratory of Faculty of Animal Science, Hasanuddin University Makassar.

2.2. Materials of research

The research material was used 15 Bali cows that have given birth 1–7 times and one four years old
bull. The concentrate ingredients used local materials from agricultural and industrial waste products,
and forage feed used is elephant grass (Pennisetum purpurium) and natural grass (Cyperusrotundus).
Electronic digital scales are special weights for cattle with a capacity of 2000 kg, used to measure the
weight of livestock.

2.3. Feeding and maintenance management

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The 2nd International Conference of Animal Science and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 492 (2020) 012101 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/492/1/012101

Improved feeding was by giving concentrate feed in the breeding period as much as 1.5% of the cow
body weight. The concentrate composition can be seen in table 1. The ingredients of concentrate feed
were based on cheap, available local materials. Maintenance system was an intensive basis. The
breeding system was naturally out of four years old Bali bull. Concentrate feed is given in the morning
and afternoon, and forage feed is given two times per day ad-libitum. Cattle health management was
always in good sanitation and hygiene by good management practice (GMP) and good breeding
practice (GBP).

2.4. Research procedure

The design of this study used group design. The group of 15 productive cow cattle was maintained
with one 4 years old bull for 6 months. The dam cows which have calf keep on breastfeeding her calf
during treatment. Observation of lust was done at any time while the body measurement and body
condition score of dams were evaluated at every 3 months for 3 times (beginning of the study (awal),
first 3 months of research (P1) and end of study/6 month (P2)).

Table 1. Material composition of feed concentrate.

No. Materials Composition (%)
1. Rice bran 42.5
2. Tumpi corn 42.5
3. Coconut pulp 7.0
4. Molasses 5.0
5. Minerals 1.0
6. Urea 0.5
7. Salt 1.0
8. Probiotics 0.5

2.5. Research parameters

The research parameters were body condition score (BCS), the body weight of dams after
birth/breeding period, first estrus after calving (post-partum estrus), pregnancy rate and service per
conception (S/C). BCS is measured based on a quantitative score of the value one (very thin) to nine
(very fat/obesity) [11]. The level of pregnancy is determined if the dams do not return estrus.
Furthermore, pregnancy monitoring was evaluated until calving.

2.6. Data analysis

The Data were analyzed by parametric and non-parametric analysis methods, where interval, ratio, and
nominal quantitative data were analyzed using the t-test. The qualitative data are analyzed by
descriptive analysis. The data obtained were also compared with data obtained from previous research.
Data processing used computer package program SPSS version 12 for Windows [12].

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Body condition score (BCS) and body weight (BW)

The Body energy reserves can be assessed by visual assessment methods known as body condition
score (BCS). Relative scores obtained from the BCS can be used by farmers to predict the level of
muscle and body fat reserves of each cattle. BCS is essential for improving the reproduction
management of cattle. Some studies show that BCS at the time of calving and early in the breeding
season is the most important indicator of reproductive performance [13]. Body condition scores at the
time of calving had the greatest effect on pregnancy rates [14]. In this study, body condition score
(BCS) of dams of Bali cattle was measured after calving and medicine treatment period with feed
improvement in breeding period with an intensive rearing system (figure 1). In the graph, it can be
seen that BCS tends to increase in gradual pattern from 5.4 to 6.3 during the first 3 months of rearing

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The 2nd International Conference of Animal Science and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 492 (2020) 012101 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/492/1/012101

with improved feeding and 6.7 for six months of rearing type. These results indicated that
improvements in the management of Bali's dam and in the intensive system can improve the condition
of the dam after calving. This condition informs that the management with improved feeding in which
cattle breeding in these conditions is very feasible and ideal for mating and safe for gestation.
The figure 1 shows that the increase in body weight was similarly to the increase of BCS. Figure 2
It shows that the average body weight of dam cows Bali cattle increased from 192.3 kg to 200.3 kg
(increased of 4%) during 6 months of rearing with improved management/feed in the cattle yard. This
increase is likely due to the improvement of the dam conditions after calving or due to the early
growth of the embryo during the period of gestation. This is a good indication of early pregnancy in
breeding [15].

9
8
7
Body condition score

6
5
(BCS)

4 6.3 6.7
5.4
± ±
3
± 1.0 0.8
2 0.8
1
0
Awal P-1 P-2

Figure 1. Body condition score (Awal: early BCS of study/after calving,

P-1: three months of rearing and P-2: six months of rearing).
250

200
Body weight

150
(kg)

192,3 196,7 200,3

100 ± ± ±
16,0 19,8 19,3
50

0
Awal P-1 P-2

Figure 2. Body weight of dams of Bali cattle during the rearing period
(Awal: after calving, P-1: Evaluated of 3 months of rearing and P-2: 6
months of rearing).

3.2. Post-partum estrus and gestation rate

Post-partum estrus (PPE) is a very strategic reproductive trait in beef cattle to enhance the annual calf
reproduction. The post-partum estrus is determined if the cow cattle show the first estrus after birth.
The longer the first estrus time after partum increases the birth interval. Long birth interval results in
low livestock production efficiency [15]. Ideally, the post-partum estrus of cows is about 40 days after
calving. In figure 3, the mean of post-partum estrus of the cow with intensive and semi-intensive
rearing systems was 64.5 to 31.5 days and 47.1±12.7 days respectively. The values were both higher
than ideal values but shorter than Peranakan Onggole (PO) cattle with PPE 97–115.9 days with early

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The 2nd International Conference of Animal Science and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 492 (2020) 012101 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/492/1/012101

weaning on community farms [16] and 145.3–168.2 days in the parent grouped [17]. Post-partum
estrus of Bali cattle with intensive rearing system is significantly longer in its time compared to semi-
intensive rearing system and has a high degree of variation in the intensive system. This may be due to
the maintenance management system with the intensively, livestock was feed in the cage which allows
the cattle to experience stress and competition to grab the feed inside the cage.
100

75
Post-partus estrus

50
(day)

64,5
25 47,1

0
Intensive Semi-Intensive

Figure 3. Post-partum estrus first after partum by feed in

the intensive and semi-intensive rearing system.
Table 2. Gestational levels of Bali cattle dams, estrus frequency, and service per conception (S/C)
No Status Frequency (%) Freq-estrus S/C
Three months of Rearing of Breeding
1. Pregnant 53.8 2–3 2.2±0.5
2. Non-pregnant 46.2 1–2
Six months of Rearing management
1. Pregnant 100 2–4 2.5±0.8
2. Non-pregnant - -
The pregnancy rate is a measure of the success of a bull after mating with a female or the size of
fertility in a beef cattle farm. The level of gestation is a very important reproduction of livestock to
increase livestock productivity in the population. The parent pregnancy rate is expected to be at least
80% of the females who are ready to mate at one season or within a year [4].
Table 2 shows the pregnancy or gestation rate of Bali cow breeder, oestrus frequency and service
per conception (S/C) which received an improvement treatment with feed improvement in breeding
period. The pregnancy rate reached 53.8% of the mated females. The pregnancy rate was obtained
from 2–3 oestrus cycles or S/C of 2.2 cycles during the first 3 months of maintenance in the improved
feed in breeding period. While mean of the Bali cattle is still returned oestrus as much as 46.2% with
oestrus 1–2 times. The pregnancy rate of 100% cattle was achieved during the 6 month rearing in
cages with S/C 2.5 or oestrus frequencies between 2–4 times. This indicates that the rearing with
intensive systems in the cage despite being fed 1.5% concentrate from body weight, S/C in the
intensive was higher than the semi-intensive system (S/C 2.1). The increasing of S/C in the intensive
system indicates that there was an increase in the frequency of oestrus before pregnancy. Dams which
are experiencing return oestrus generally have a low BCS condition (below 4). Therefore, improving
the condition of livestock after calving becomes important to do, especially at the beginning of the
breeding season. The pregnancy rates obtained from this study were higher than those of Bali cattle
found in traditional farming communities with a 37% pregnancy rate [15] and Peranakan Onggole
cows of 40–66% [13,18].

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The 2nd International Conference of Animal Science and Technology IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 492 (2020) 012101 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/492/1/012101

4. Conclusion
Management improvements through improved feed in the intensive rearing system in the group cages
during the breeding period tend to slow down in the improving body condition score and weight gain
of Bali cattle after calving. The tendency for first oestrus delay to occur after calving and gestation rate
was slowing down in S/C by 2.2. The gestation rate reaches 100% with S/C 2.5 within 6 months of the
rearing period with improved feeding.

Acknowledgment
The author would like to thanks the Government of the Republic of Indonesia through the DP2M of
High Education Directorate of Ministry of Research, Technology and High Education, LP2M
Hasanuddin University that has given trust and supporting funds to conduct research through the
Higher Education Excellent Research Program. Research Team work would like to thank for their
cooperation in assisting the implementation of this research, namely starting from preparation until
finishing research reports.

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 492 (2020) 012101 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/492/1/012101

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