Effects of Suppelementing Concentrates Varying in Ingredients on Blood Urea and Glucose Concentrations in Limousin Crossbred fed cassava leaf and tuber silage as Basal Diet Poespitasari Hazanah Ndaru, Ifar Subagiyo, Mashudi, and Kusmartono
Animal Science Departement, Faculty of Animal Science, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia 51611
Abstract
The cassava plant is considered a high-potential feed source for beef cattle due to its nutritional profile. Cassava leaves are characterized by high crude protein (CP) content, whereas cassava tubers serve as a valuable energy source. Using cassava leaf and tuber silage has been demonstrated to be an effective dietary strategy for beef cattle. This study aims to evaluate the effects of cassava leaf and tuber silage supplementation on blood urea concentration and blood glucose levels in Limousin crossbred. The in vivo experiment was conducted at the Sumber Sekar Field Laboratory using 20 Limousin crossbred cattle. The treatments consisted of varying inclusion levels of cassava leaf and tuber silage: 10% (P1), 15% (P2), 20% (P3), 25% (P4), and 30% (P5). Blood urea concentration and blood glucose levels were measured as response variables. The results showed that cassava leaf and tuber silage supplementation had a highly significant effect (P<0.01) on blood urea concentration but did not significantly affect blood glucose levels (P>0.05). It can be concluded that blood urea concentration and blood glucose levels in Limousin crossbred were within the upper threshold of normal ranges for ruminant livestock. Thus, blood glucose levels in this study can serve as a reliable indicator of the metabolic status and health of Limousin crossbred cattle supplemented with cassava leaf and tuber silage.
