IPB University Himasiter Visit Suteru Farm
The Ruminants Division of the Professional Science Bureau (Ilpro) Animal Nutrition & Feeding Student Association (Himasiter) Department of Nutrition and Feed Technology (INTP) IPB University carried out a ruminant farm visit work program to Suteru Farm Tegal Waru, Ciampea, Bogor (11/3).
Zidan, as the ruminant division staff who is also the field coordinator, said that ruminant visits are direct survey activities on ruminant farms. This is to increase knowledge about animal husbandry through discussions and interviews.
“The aim of this program is to educate and increase knowledge, insight into the world of animal husbandry, especially ruminants, to inform and explain to the wider community related to ruminant farming,” he said.
Suteru Farm is engaged in Fries Holland (FH) dairy farming. Established since 2013, now Suteru Farm has biological assets of 11 dairy cows, 4 young cows or calves with a livestock area of 11,000 m2.
The owner of Suteru Farm, Hasrul has a background as a lecturer in economics and business at Pakuan University (Unpak). The location of this farm is in the vicinity of the Tegal Waru village community housing, Ciampea District, Bogor Regency, where the average layout of the residences is far from one another, so they still have empty land for planting productive plants.
“Before the 2020 pandemic, we had 68 dairy cows, but after the pandemic there were only 16-17 cows left. Apart from the dairy farm, there is also tofu production here. The results of the waste or tofu dregs we make feed for dairy cows, “said Hasrul.
He explained that he and his family routinely provide feed, clean cages and milk milk. Cow milking activities are carried out twice a day, at 05.00 in the morning and at 16.00 in the afternoon.
“The milk production produced every day can reach 10 liters per head. The feed given is field grass. The results of milk production are sent directly to be processed milk such as yogurt,” he said.
According to Balqis, one of the ruminant visit participants said, “The ruminant visit this time is very exciting, because we can heal before the midterm exam (UTS). Many new things were obtained in the field, one of which is how to milk the cows manually.”
“Exciting visit. This is the first time we have tried milking a cow directly,” said Denisa, who was also a participant in the ruminant visit this time.
Dodi as Chair of the Himasiter also hopes that through this activity he can add insight and interest in IPB University livestock students in developing livestock businesses to be able to meet the needs of animal protein in Indonesia.
“Hopefully this ruminant visit can increase student knowledge, especially related to procedures for raising dairy cows and how to process cow’s milk, starting from the milking system to marketing its products,” concluded Dodi. (*/Rz) (IAAS/HAP)
