Cattle Breeding Model caled SISKA BREEDLOT

Summary

The Siska model integrates cattle breeding with palm oil plantations, offering significant benefits to both industries. Cattle help manage weeds and fertilize the palm trees, while improving breeding efficiency and health management. PT Superindo Utamajaya has successfully implemented this system on 2,600 hectares in Lampung, achieving high breeding success rates and reduced mortality. The system also cuts costs in both cattle care and weed control. With plans for expansion, including new barns and additional cattle, the Siska model demonstrates a sustainable approach for enhancing productivity in both palm oil and livestock farming.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Siska (Sistem Integrasi Sapi Kelapa Sawit) model integrates cattle breeding with palm oil plantations to provide mutual benefits for both the crops and livestock.
• 😀 Cattle graze on grass and weeds in palm oil plantations, while their urine and manure serve as natural fertilizer for the palm oil crops, reducing costs for plantation management.
• 😀 The Siska model offers cost savings by replacing manual weeding with grazing cattle, although its effectiveness may vary in plantations with limited land or high rainfall.
• 😀 For more controlled breeding, the Siska Freeport model is used, which involves keeping cattle in pens for more intensive care, particularly during pregnancy and after giving birth.
• 😀 In the Siska Freeport model, the mortality rate of calves is reduced due to better management and health monitoring in pens compared to open pasture.
• 😀 The model helps improve the recovery of pregnant cattle post-birth and shortens the interval between births to 13-15 months, leading to more frequent calving.
• 😀 Siska Freeport integrates rotational grazing, where cattle are allowed to graze in different sections of the plantation for three months before being brought into the pens for health checks and other treatments.
• 😀 The system encourages systematic data recording for each breeding cow and its offspring, ensuring effective monitoring of breeding productivity and minimizing errors in management.
• 😀 Within 12 months of implementing the Siska model, PT Superindo Utamajaya achieved a 90% conception rate and 78% calf birth rate, while reducing costs for weed control on the plantation.
• 😀 The commercial potential of the Siska model is evident, with PT Superindo Utamajaya starting with 247 cattle in 2017 and expanding to nearly 900 cattle, with plans to continue growth by building new facilities for better livestock management.

Q & A

What is the Siska model, and how does it integrate cattle with palm oil plantations?

The Siska model, or 'Sistem Integrasi Sapi Kelapa Sawit,' integrates cattle breeding with palm oil plantations. Cattle are allowed to graze on weeds and grass in the plantations, providing natural weed control while benefiting from the abundant forage. In turn, the manure from the cattle acts as fertilizer for the palm oil plants.

What are the key benefits of the Siska model for both cattle and palm oil plants?

The Siska model benefits both cattle and palm oil plants by reducing costs. Cattle provide weed control and fertilize the plantation with their manure. For the cattle, they receive free grazing land and benefit from the improved soil. Additionally, the system reduces the need for manual weeding and fertilization.

How does the Siska Freeport model differ from the Siska Bread Cloud model?

The Siska Freeport model allows cattle to roam and graze freely across the plantation, rotating between grazing zones every three months. In contrast, the Siska Bread Cloud model involves raising cattle in barns where they receive more intensive care, especially pregnant or sick cows, leading to better management of health and breeding.

What are the main advantages of using barns in the Siska Bread Cloud model?

Barns provide a controlled environment for cattle, reducing mortality rates and improving health management. Cattle in barns receive more frequent health checks, weight monitoring, and attention to breeding, which leads to faster recovery for cows after calving and improved productivity.

What role does rotation play in the Siska Freeport grazing system?

Rotation plays a crucial role in the Siska Freeport model by allowing cattle to graze in different areas of the plantation every three months. This prevents overgrazing, ensures the sustainability of the pasture, and helps maintain cattle health and productivity.

What were the observed results from implementing the Siska model at PT Superindo Utamajaya's plantation?

At PT Superindo Utamajaya, the Siska model resulted in a 90% pregnancy rate for cattle and a 78% birth rate. The system also led to significant cost savings in weed management and an efficient breeding process, with cattle health improving due to better management practices.

How does the cost of maintaining cattle compare to the savings generated from the Siska model?

The daily cost of maintaining a breeding cow is approximately IDR 15,000, while the cost for a calf is around IDR 13,000. These costs are offset by the savings in weed management and fertilizer, making the Siska model financially beneficial for plantation owners.

What are the plans for expanding the Siska model in the future?

PT Superindo Utamajaya plans to expand the Siska model by increasing the cattle population and building new barns to accommodate them. They aim to construct four new barns, each with 160 pens, to support further growth and improve the management of breeding cattle.

What are the challenges that might affect the success of the Siska model?

Challenges may include limited land availability for grazing, especially in smaller plantations, and high rainfall regions where cattle grazing can be less effective. In such conditions, the barn-based system (Siska Bread Cloud) might be a more successful alternative.

How important is record-keeping in the Siska model, and what does it track?

Record-keeping is essential in the Siska model for tracking the health, breeding status, and productivity of cattle. It helps ensure better decision-making, enables the analysis of performance, and avoids errors in breeding strategy. The data collected includes cattle weight, pregnancy status, and calving dates.