Abstract
The overall performance of cattle, return of investment, effects on oil palm production and soil properties are main concerns in cattle integration with oil palm. A study was carried out with collaboration of Far East Holding Bhd. at two adjacent oil palm estates, Ladang Sungai Gayung and Ladang Sungai Marung, in Muadzam Shah, Pahang to evaluate the performance of yellow cattle integrated with oil palm and the effect of the integration on oil palm. The project commenced in 2003 by introducing 828 yellow cattle cross imported from China and local 50 Brahman - KK cross bulls. The cattle were managed following systematic rotational grazing method in pre-demarcated paddocks using portable electric fence. The cattle were well adapted under oil palm. In the first three years, the average yearly calving rate was 74%, herd mortality 2.0% and calves survival rate 97.9%. The NPV of the project was RM717, 021 and IRR 19% respectively. There was no significant difference in FFB yield between grazing and non-grazing areas two years after the introduction of the cattle. The FFB yield was 13.51 t/ha/yr in grazing areas and 13.46 t/ha/yr in non-grazing areas. There was also no significant difference on soil compaction. After three years, the soil resistance reading was 0.92-1.23 MPa in grazing areas compared to 1.07-1.36 MPa in non-grazing areas.Incluye referencias bibliográficas.The overall performance of cattle, return of investment, effects on oil palm production and soil properties are main concerns in cattle integration with oil palm. A study was carried out with collaboration of Far East Holding Bhd. at two adjacent oil palm estates, Ladang Sungai Gayung and Ladang Sungai Marung, in Muadzam Shah, Pahang to evaluate the performance of yellow cattle integrated with oil palm and the effect of the integration on oil palm. The project commenced in 2003 by introducing 828 yellow cattle cross imported from China and local 50 Brahman - KK cross bulls. The cattle were managed following systematic rotational grazing method in pre-demarcated paddocks using portable electric fence. The cattle were well adapted under oil palm. In the first three years, the average yearly calving rate was 74%, herd mortality 2.0% and calves survival rate 97.9%. The NPV of the project was RM717, 021 and IRR 19% respectively. There was no significant difference in FFB yield between grazing and non-grazing areas two years after the introduction of the cattle. The FFB yield was 13.51 t/ha/yr in grazing areas and 13.46 t/ha/yr in non-grazing areas. There was also no significant difference on soil compaction. After three years, the soil resistance reading was 0.92-1.23 MPa in grazing areas compared to 1.07-1.36 MPa in non-grazing areas.