FORAGE PRODUCTION ESTIMATION AND LAND CARRYING CAPACITY OF FORAGE PLOTS AT UNIVERSITAS ISLAM KUANTAN SINGINGI, RIAU, INDONESIA

Abstract

Forage availability is a major determinant of sustainable ruminant production, particularly in tropical production systems where livestock depend heavily on fresh forage. This study aimed to estimate fresh forage production and determine the carrying capacity of forage plots at Universitas Islam Kuantan Singings (UNIKS), Riau, Indonesia. The research was conducted in the UNIKS forage field using a quadrat sampling approach. Three sample plots were established across the field, and all fresh forage within each plot was harvested and weighed. The observed fresh forage weights were then used to estimate production per hectare and annual production, while carrying capacity was estimated based on standard livestock feed requirements. The results showed substantial variation among sampling points. Sample 1 produced 353 g of fresh forage and had the highest estimated annual production of 470.7 t ha−1 year−1. Sample 2 produced 64.5 g and had the lowest estimated production of 86.0 t ha−1 year−1, while Sample 3 produced 254 g and had an estimated production of 338.7 t ha−1 year−1. The estimated carrying capacity was 15 heads for the highest-producing plot, 2 heads for the lowest-producing plot, and 11 heads for the moderate plot, with an average of 9 heads per study unit. The variation was associated with differences in soil fertility, sunlight intensity, soil moisture, plant density, and weed competition. The findings indicate that UNIKS forage land has considerable potential as a feed resource, but improved land management and additional sampling are needed to obtain more robust estimates and improve forage productivity.