Waingapu, East Sumba, July 23, 2024 – The Sumba Ongole cattle, one of Indonesia’s local cattle breeds, is currently receiving significant attention for its conservation and population increase. To achieve these goals, a team of lecturers from the Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya (FAPET UB), including Prof. Trinil Susilawati and Dr. Aulia Puspita Anugra Yekti, along with Prof. Sri Rayahu from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, UB, has collaborated with the East Sumba Livestock Department to implement artificial insemination (AI) using liquid semen for the Sumba Ongole cattle in the region.
The initiative began with a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with the East Sumba Livestock Department, attended by Drh. Octavianus S.U.B. Roendi, the Head of the East Sumba Livestock Department, along with his staff, four inseminators, and Alexander Kaka, a PhD student from FAPET UB, who will participate in the AI program. Drh. Octavianus expressed his enthusiasm for this collaboration and hopes it can be extended beyond Sumba Ongole cattle to include AI sexing for local goats as well.
One of the main challenges in developing the Sumba Ongole cattle is the high rate of inbreeding due to the limited number of bulls. In response, the UB team visited the Matawai Maringu Breeding Center in Kahaungu Eti, East Sumba, to inspect the conditions of the female cattle slated for insemination.
Prof. Trinil highlighted that this program aims to increase the success rate of pregnancies in Sumba Ongole cattle and provide a solution to the issue of limited liquid nitrogen availability in the East Sumba region. “Liquid semen AI is a highly applicable technology, especially in areas with difficulties accessing liquid nitrogen, such as East Sumba,” she explained. The liquid semen will be produced using Sumba Ongole bulls with a local extender made from lontar fruit and nanoparticle technology to enhance sperm quality. The goal is to inseminate 200 Sumba Ongole cows, with the expectation that this technology will increase pregnancy rates and provide a viable AI solution in areas lacking liquid nitrogen.
This program is expected to contribute to the conservation and development of the Sumba Ongole cattle population, aligning with efforts to preserve Indonesia’s genetic livestock resources. mt
