UB Innovation Grant Team Develops Silage Technology for High-Water Content Odot Grass

Malang, November 11, 2024 – The Universitas Brawijaya (UB) Innovation Grant Team, led by Dr. Hermanto and supported by members Prof. Ifar Subagiyo, Dr. Asri Nurul Huda, Rizki Prafitri, Ph.D., Onni Meirezaldi, MM, and Poespitasari Hazanah Ndaru, MP, collaborated with PT. Greenfields Indonesia to develop an innovative solution for producing silage from odot grass. This activity was held at the Sumber Sekar Field Laboratory, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya.
Dr. Hermanto explained that post-harvest odot grass has a high water content, exceeding 80%, which makes it challenging to process without prolonged drying. For effective silage production, the raw material needs a moisture content of around 65-70%. To achieve this, the team explored the use of various absorbent materials to reduce the moisture content efficiently, eventually identifying the best option for application.
Heru Prabowo, Head of Dairy Farm Development and Sustainability at PT. Greenfields Indonesia, highlighted the need for this innovation to address the challenges of high moisture levels in odot grass, especially in collaboration with UB’s Innovation Grant Program. “This collaboration aims to provide a solution not only for the moisture issue but also to address the surplus odot grass harvested during the rainy season,” Heru stated.
The silage innovation is expected to help manage surplus odot grass by preserving it for use in the dry season when forage availability is low. Storing odot grass as silage also allows for quality control, preventing it from being harvested at an overly mature stage, which could reduce its nutritional value.
This initiative marks the beginning of a productive partnership between UB and PT. Greenfields Indonesia, with future collaborations anticipated in the area of dairy cattle feed innovation. mtn