Maximizing utilization of locally available feed resources for livestock production in Malaysia

Feed generally comprises 60-70% of the total cost of livestock production. Over 87% of the ingredients used in compound feeds for non-ruminants (poultry, swine and aquaculture) are imported, the major items being corn, soya bean meal and fish meal. Limitations in the supply of these ingredients worldwide have significantly contributed to increased cost which justifies the need for substitution with local feed resources. In the ruminant sub-sector, the emphasis is towards maximizing use of local agro-industrial by-products from oil pal and rice industries, apart from extensive use of improved grasses, native grasses, and leguminous forages. Oil palm fronds (OPF), oil palm trunks (OPT), palm press fiber (PPF), empty fruit bunches (EFB), palm kernel cake (PKC) and palm oil mill effluent (POME) are the main by-products from oil palm industry; while rice straw and rice husk are the main by-products from rice industries. OPF and PKC have been used extensively in the ration formulations for several livestock species