SOME CONSIDERATIONS OF BALI CATTLE WITH ANOTHER CATTLE BREEDS IN BALI PROVINCE

Background

Bali cattle is one of the leading commodities of the Province of Bali. Bali cattle have various advantages as a type of meat, Bali cattle have a compact body conformation with a high percentage of meat against carcasses. The fundamental weakness of Bali cattle as a type of slaughter is due to slow growth so it has implications for the effect on the level of meat tenderness (Arka et al., 1979). Of course, these weaknesses can still be improved by fattening processes, management, and improvement of feed nutrition.

Cattle raising in Bali is an inseparable part of the integrated farming system that is still traditional. Cattle are raised primarily for energy, as savings, manure, prestige, ceremonial interests and foreign exchange earners for the community. Livestock and breeders must always be increased in capacity, so that the opinions of farmers can be significantly improved. Research on the improvement of beef quality has been carried out by ruminants, as well as research on ruminants' reproductions and fodder. It can be said that based on the results of previous studies the potential of Bali cattle to improve meat quality is very possible in accordance with the objectives of maintenance. The research mentioned above is all carried out with reference to the aspects of animal husbandry technology and management. Crossbred Bali cattle with other cattle nation is only done outside the island of Bali. Bali cattle breeding in Bali to date has been carried out with the pedigree system.

Bali Cattle Existence

Bali cattle (Bibos sundaicus) are native cattle of Indonesia, which are domesticated from wild bulls and take place on the island of Bali so they are called bali cattle. Bali cattle have been designated as native cattle of Indonesia, have been spread throughout Indonesia and are favored by smallholder farmers who are generally small business scale. Bali cattle easily adapt well to a variety of existing environments by displaying quite varied production performance and reproductive performance that remains high. The government policy to establish the Province of Bali as a protected area for the entry of other national cattle for the preservation of Bali cattle is very reasonable considering that Indonesia in particular Bali Island is the center of pure Bali cattle. In preserving Bali cattle, especially on the island of Bali, purification has been carried out long ago, since the days of the Dutch colonial government. The kings in Bali had compiled and implemented the statutory regulations (Cattle Regulation = Runderkeur, 25 May 1948) which prohibited the marriage of Bali cattle that were kept on the island of Bali and nearby islands) with other cattle nations. Prohibition of entering cattle from any nation, in addition to Bali cattle to Bali has also been carried out. This policy is also supported by the government of the Republic of Indonesia that Bali cattle are native cattle of Indonesia and the island of Bali is a purification area of ​​Bali cattle. Some of the advantages possessed by Bali cattle are mainly their adaptability in the environment with the availability of low-quality feed, their excellent fertility abilities and the high percentage of carcass yields compared to other local cattle nations. Another advantage of Bali cattle is having the ability as a good working cattle. The change in color of Bali bulls from brick red to black at the start of puberty becomes one of the uniqueness of Balinese cattle that are not owned by other cattle. White stocking and the presence of a white sphere on the bali cattle's bottom are very specific characteristics too. The red brick color of Bali cattle is often used as a unique symbol because it departs from local germplasm.

The results of the Djagra et al. (1979) showed that the average birth weight of bali cattle calves ranged from 15.3 to 17.8 kg. At the age of 26 weeks or 182 days calf will be weaned when the average calf weight ranges from 66.4 - 80.5 kg. Calf birth weight is directly proportional to weaning weight but inversely proportional to adult sex level. A large birth weight causes greater weaning weight and faster adult sex (earlier). Calf in the third birth has the highest birth weight, weaning weight, and Relative Growth Rate (RGR). The percentage of weight gain (PTB) and RGR from birth weight to weaning weight were 391% and 0.438% day-1, respectively. At the seventh birth, calf birth weight decreased followed by a decrease in weaning weight of PTB and RGR.

Weaning weight reflects the resultant ability of the parent (genetic factors) with environmental factors (environment). Heritability factor of weaning weight is 30% on average (when the age is 180-240 days), this means that 70% comes from other factors such as milk production, food supply and management. PTB is calculated by: (W2 - W1) / W1 x 100%, while RGR is calculated by: (W2 - W1) / (t2 - t1) W2 x 100%. Birth weight and weaning weight of bulls higher than female cattle, respectively 17.1 kg and 15.2 kg for birth weight, while 75.9 kg and 72.7 kg for cattle weight.

Veal and vealer research has been conducted by Msudana (1982) who concluded that veal and vealer can be produced from male calves that are given concentrate supplementation. Female calves are not good because the meat contains rather thick fat. Veg and vealer production does not conflict with animal husbandry policy. In order for farmers to produce veal and vealer, it is necessary to think about the price of premium so that farmers get a decent profit. Besides veal and vealer, it is also necessary to introduce Balinese specialties such as expletives and other types of dishes that have opportunities as branding in some hotels and / or restaurants in Bali.

Increasing The Quality Of Bali Beef

The discourse of the Bali Provincial Government to improve the quality of Bali beef in an effort to increase the supply of quality meat and increase farmers' income has been published in the mass media as well as in several discussion group forums. Some research to improve the quality of Bali beef through improved management has been carried out both in Bali and outside Bali. Improving the quality of Bali beef through crossing Bali cattle with other cattle including Wagyu cattle needs to get very careful attention. Regarding this matter, the following things need to be considered: Up-grading of Bali pigs by crossing native Bali pigs with purebred pigs (sadlle back pigs and others) has resulted in the scarcity of native bali pigs, it is very difficult to get native bali pigs with performance. and the specific flavor of pork roll. Crossbred Bali cattle with other national cattle have been carried out outside the island of Bali, for example Balford (bali cattle and hereford) Cymbals and Limbal, some cases were found in the results of the crossing, one of which is reproductive problems found cases of infertility. Other cases that are often found in cross between nations are the decline in livestock immunity so that the resistance to disease is low. The things mentioned above become weaknesses of the cross breed process (interbreeding). But it is also worth considering the benefits of cross-breeding. Cross breeding is one of the steps to breed to improve the genetic quality of a livestock nation. The possibility of heterosis occurs where the superior gene traits that exist in the parent will decrease in offspring. However, measures to improve genetic quality by crossbreeding must, of course, be carried out very carefully, especially in Bali cattle. The main requirement to improve genetic quality in Balinese cattle with the method of crossbreeding must be without eliminating the pure genes of Balinese cattle that become germplasm. Therefore, its implementation must be under strict supervision, carried out with appropriate scientific procedures and in accordance with applicable laws. This is only possible to be carried out by research institutes managed by the government and to prevent the contamination of pure Bali cattle genes on the island of Bali. It would be great if this program was carried out outside of Bali. Hope in the future if this step produces superior new breeds, the island of Bali will become a source of pure raw material for Bali cattle. As a source of pure genes (parent stock) will have a high value and selling price, with conditions like this, the hope of farmers to sell Bali cattle with a higher price can be achieved.

Some Considerations

1.     Increasing the quality of Bali beef through crossing Bali cattle with other breeds cannot be implemented in Bali because there are still opportunities to improve the quality of Bali beef through improving the quality of management, post-harvest and breeding technology. Improving meat quality through crossing efforts requires a long time to get good quality meat.

2.     Increasing the quality of Bali beef through crossing Bali cattle with other cattle such as Wagyu cattle with the aim of improving the welfare of breeders needs to be studied more deeply. Experience in the field shows that when the price of meat rises where farmers will benefit more from the increase in price, on the other hand market operations are carried out to reduce beef prices.

3.     The ability of breeder resources on the island of Bali to carry out management to produce meat equivalent to Wagyu needs to also be considered. Quality feed and concentrate and special maintenance management are required.

4.     The magnitude of the needs of hotels for Wagyu meat should also be considered. Do not let the needs of a little but a lot of inventory so that there is a surplus that causes a decrease in beef prices. Bali beef wagyo equivalent will be considered two-quality meat so that the price cannot compete with the original Wagyu.

5.     The need to carry out efforts to improve the management of Bali cattle to increase farmers' income, for example improving the quality of feed, processing fertilizers and others. Some research and panel tests that have been done before can produce beef that has a tendency that is very adequate for hotel needs.

6.     The acceleration of the certification program for Bali cattle breeds to increase the sale value of Bali cattle for the welfare of farmers needs to be implemented immediately.

7.     The need to try an innovative business by promoting bali beef as a culinary tour of Bali as a tourism supporting product. This requires research activities which of course require sufficient funds so that it can produce beef that is typical of Bali cattle and is in demand by consumers.