3.3.2. Case 2. La Matta household, Harapan, Barru, South Sulawesi
The La Matta household has more than quadrupled the forage production area (from 0.1 ha to 0.45 ha), introduced a range of new and improved forage species, expanded gliricidia production from 10 m to 30 m and commenced improved forage management practices (e.g. fertiliser, optimum elephant grass cutting practices). Similar to the Jufri household, cattle production has shifted away from a grazing-based system to one based on kandangs and cut and carry feed. Early weaning and preferential feeding of calves is also being practiced. Over the course of the study the household has increased its cattle ownership from two head to four head. Monitoring of the cattle from 2005 to 2007 showed the liveweight gain of the cows and young males exceeded the average gains across the other non best-bet households within the village. This is attributed to the combined effect of new forage banks, better management of existing elephant grass to maximise leaf production and improved feeding management (Fig. 6).