Use of palm kernel expeller and empty fruit bunches in beef cattle feed pellets in Malaysia

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of an oil palm by-product-based (OPB) feed pellet on beef cattle growth and feed intake. A total of 42 beef cattle were assigned to two groups and fed either the OPB or a commercial (COM) feed pellet at 1% of body weight (BW) over a 90-day trial, with ad libitum supply of oil palm fronds daily. Daily feed intake and monthly BW changes were recorded. Proximate analysis showed that the OPB feed pellet was isonitrogenous and isocaloric to the COM pellet. At the end of the feeding trial, a similar BW increment was observed, from 165 kg to 222 kg and 159 kg to 212 kg for OPB and COM, respectively. The average daily gain (ADG) of the OPB group was slightly higher than that of the COM group with 0.63 kg day^-1 and 0.59 kg day^-1, respectively. Similarly, feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the OPB group was slightly better at 9.59 as compared to the COM group with 9.98. Additionally, meat from cattle on the OPB diet showed higher redness and yellowness values (p < 0.05), indicating improved meat appearance. In conclusion, the oil palm-based feed pellet provides complete nutrition for beef cattle and is comparable to commercial feed pellets in supporting growth performance.