Indonesia Australia Red Meat Cattle Partnership:

Summary

This video explains the integrated palm oil and cattle farming model (SISKA) implemented at PT Buana Karya Bakti and PT Fast Force Development in South Kalimantan. The model combines livestock management and pasture systems with palm oil plantations, optimizing land use and improving cattle breeding, fattening, and grazing. Key practices include livestock selection, breeding, grazing management, pasture improvement, and synchronized agricultural activities. The model aims to boost business prospects by utilizing underutilized land for cattle feed while ensuring sustainable and profitable operations in palm oil and cattle farming.

Takeaways

• 😀 The company operates in the plantation and livestock sector, with a total plantation area of 15,000 hectares, divided into 7,000 hectares of core plantations and 9,000 hectares of plasma plantations.
• 😀 The palm oil plantation integrates livestock farming, with an area of 7,342 hectares of nursery and 5,135 hectares for grazing.
• 😀 The integration of palm oil and cattle farming includes three main types of cattle: breeding, growing, and fattening.
• 😀 Weeds in the palm oil plantation are used as a cheap source of forage for cattle through a grazing system, which has proven profitable in the company's operations.
• 😀 The cattle management process involves several steps, including animal selection, grouping, breeding, and health monitoring using tools like cattle crush and ear tagging.
• 😀 Cattle are grouped based on physiological status, including lactating, pregnant, or fattening stages, and each group is managed in designated grazing areas.
• 😀 Cattle are moved between paddocks daily to ensure effective grazing, with health checks and deworming carried out during these moves.
• 😀 Reproductive management involves natural breeding, selecting appropriate males, and managing birthing processes in the grazing areas.
• 😀 Pasture management includes grazing, improving pasture quality through planting better forage species, and ensuring proper nutrition through supplementing feed and water.
• 😀 Successful integration requires collaboration between plantation management and livestock management, ensuring synchronization of activities like pruning and pesticide application to avoid poisoning cattle.
• 😀 The key to effective management is having skilled stockmen who embody values such as integrity, independence, and innovation, and who are responsible for both animal and pasture care.

Q & A

What is the main business model being implemented at PT Buana Karya Bakti and PT Fast Force Development?

The main business model is the integration of palm oil plantations and cattle farming, also known as the Siska system, which involves using palm oil plantation areas as grazing land for cattle, while managing both the palm oil and livestock sectors concurrently.

What are the two main types of land used in the integration system?

The two main types of land used in the integration system are nursery land (7342 hectares) and grazing land (5135 hectares), which are integrated with cattle farming to enhance efficiency and productivity.

How is cattle breeding managed within the system?

Cattle breeding within the system involves several activities including the selection and grouping of cattle, managing the breeding process, monitoring cattle health, and maintaining records for analysis and decision-making.

What are the different cattle groups within the integration system?

The cattle are grouped into several categories, including lactating and pregnant cows, calves, non-pregnant cows ready for breeding, and cattle ready for fattening, among others, with each group receiving specific care and management.

How is cattle movement managed within the integration system?

Cattle movement between paddocks is managed by stockmen who guide the cattle from one area to another, ensuring proper health checks and treatments during the transfer, including parasite control and other veterinary procedures.

What role does pasture management play in the system?

Pasture management is critical for ensuring cattle have access to sufficient, nutritious grazing areas. It includes activities such as pasture surveys, pasture improvement through planting high-quality grass and legumes, and controlling the quality and quantity of available feed.

What are the activities involved in pasture improvement?

Pasture improvement activities involve planting high-yielding grass and legumes, creating cover crops, and introducing nutrient-rich plants to boost the quality of feed for the cattle, especially in areas beneath the palm trees where cattle graze.

How are cattle health and nutrition monitored in the grazing area?

Cattle health and nutrition are monitored through regular health checks by stockmen, the provision of mineral supplements, and ensuring access to clean drinking water. Nutrient deficiencies are addressed through supplementary feed and silage production.

What is the significance of synchronization between palm oil plantation activities and cattle farming?

Synchronization ensures that agricultural activities, such as pruning and chemical treatments, do not negatively affect the cattle. For example, pruning is done a day before the cattle are moved to grazing areas to increase the availability of nutritious feed from palm leaves.

What skills are necessary for stockmen to effectively manage cattle in the Siska system?

Stockmen need skills in animal health management, cattle behavior, and grazing techniques. They must also possess strong knowledge in identifying sick cattle, administering treatments, and handling cattle during movement, all while ensuring the safety and productivity of the system.