Genetic Polymorphisms of the Coding Region (Exon 6) of Calpastatin in Indonesian Sheep

Calpastatin (CAST) is an indigenous inhibitor of calpain that involved in regulation of protein turn over and growth. The objective of this research was to identify genetic polymorphisms in the entire exon 6 of calpastatin gene in Indonesian local sheep. A PCR-SSCP method was carried out to identify genetic variation of CAST gene. In total 258 heads of local sheep from 8 populations were investigated, three groups of samples were Thin Tail Sheep (TTS) from Sukabumi, Jonggol, and Kissar. The rest samples were Priangan sheep (PS) from Margawati (Garut meat type) and Wanaraja (Garut fighting type) and Fat Tail Sheep (FTS) from Donggala, Sumbawa, and Rote islands. SSCP analysis revealed that three different SSCP patterns corresponded to three different alleles in the CAST locus (CAST-1, 2, and 3 allele) with five different genotypes. Genetic variation between local sheep populations were calculated based on genotypic and allelic frequencies. Most populations studied were polymorphic, with genotype frequencies of CAST-11, CAST-12, CAST-22, CAST-32, and CAST-33 were 0.286, 0.395, 0.263, 0.046, and 0.007 respectively. CAST-1 and 2 alleles were most commonly found in all populations with total frequency was 0.970, while CAST-3 was a rare allele 0.030 and only found in TTS population. Variation in the CAST gene could be used for the next research as genetic diversity study or to find any association between CAST polymorphism with birth weight, growth trait and carcass quality in Indonesian local sheep

Factors Affecting the Adoption of Agricultural By-Products as Feed by Beef Cattle Farmers in Maros Regency of South Sulawesi, Indonesia

The utilization of crop residue as a feed is very important because the arable land area is relatively limited. The study was aimed to examine the influence of adoption of crop-residue product as a feed. The research was conducted in Maros District by using survey methods from March to August 2015. The number of respondents was 96 farmers scattered throughout the Districts of Bantimurung and Camba as centers of rice, corn plant, and cattle productions. Questionnaires were used to collect data conducted by a trained enumerator. Survey was arranged using a logistic regression model to identify socio economic factors influencing the adoption of crop residue as a feed. Work perception (X2), contact with extension workers (X4), rice cultivated areas (X5), the number of livestock (X6), subjective norm (X7), and difficulty (X8) were socio-economic variables influencing the adoption of crop residue as a feed. However, the variables age (X1), farmer experiences (X3), and the number of family members (X9) had no effect on the adoption of this technology. In conclusion, extension workers play an important role in increasing the adoption of technology by using rice and corn straws as a feed. Likewise, not only the number of livestocks, but also the good perception of the farmers increased along with the increase of feed availability, such as utilization of rice and corn straws

Keragaman dan Kebutuhan Teknologi Pakan Peternak Sapi Perah di Kabupaten Enrekang

An appropriate understanding towards preference of small-scale dairy producers can improve technology adoption. The objective of this study was to understand potential, problem and need of small-scale dairy producers including farmer and his wife. The method used was modification of participatory rural appraisal (PRA) like participatory mapping to detect potential, and Preference ranking to understand problem and need priority. PRA applications were six times during April-September 2009 at central area and non-central area in Enrekang regency. Preference of farmer and his wife toward potential and problem were not different. Only feed technology need was different. Forage sources at central area were more diverse than non-central area but concentrate sources at non-central area were more than central area. Lack of knowledge for feed and concentrate formulation and nutritional requirements, less known of feed use, and low feed quality at dry season were the main problems at central area. At non-central area, lack of knowledge for preserving feed, lack of labour, and feed shortage at dry season were main problem faced by farmers. Knowledge improvement for local feed and complete-feed formulation are priority technology at central area. At non-central area, agricultural waste and forage preserving and complete-feed are needed by farmer

Genetic Diversity of Bali Cattle in Barru Regency Based on Phenotype Characteristics and Microsatelite DNA Identifier

Sapi Bali is one of Indonesia germplasm, which has great potential to be developed as a national meat suppliers. Barru regency, South Sulawesi province is one of the purification center of Bali cattle in Indonesia. This study aimed to determine the genetic characteristics of Bali cattle in Barru regency based on identification of phenotype qualitative (horn shape and color of feathers) and quantitative traits (body size), as well as the identifier of microsatellite DNA diversity, in particular HEL9 and INRA035loci. Bali cattle phenotype characterization was done by identifying the typical qualitative properties owned by Bali cattle, as well as a quantitative trait such as body weight, body length, chest circumference and height. Blood samples were collected from about 80 heads of Bali cattle (35 males and 45 females). Extraction of genomic DNA using a DNA extraction kit (GeneJet Genomic DNA Extraction). PCR technique was then used to amplify DNA in microsatellite HEL9 and INRA035loci. Genetic diversity was calculated based on the frequency of alleles and genotypes, observed heterozygosity (Ho), expectated heterozygosity (He) and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The results showed that the predominant form of horns in males were silak bajeg while the females were silak manggulgangsa, while the percentage of normal color pattern (typical of Bali cattle) was 92.5% and the color pattern deviates ie. 7.5%. In HEL9 locus, alleles found were A and B with only AB genotype(100%). While at the INRA035 locus,were found three alleles ie. A (0.4813), B (0.50) and C (0.0187), with the most common genotype were AB (0.96). Based on shape horn and feather color, the phenotype characteristic  of Bali cattle in the Barru regency were quite diverse, but the genetic diversity of DNA microsatellite observed quite low with only found two alleles (A and B) at HEL9 and 3 alleles (A, B and C ) at the INRA035 locus