UGM students participating in the Community Service Program – Community Empowerment Learning (KKN-PPM) under the Windusari Unit organized an educational program on dairy farming and feed management for residents of Ngemplak Village, Windusari District, Magelang Regency, on January 15. Held at the Ngemplak Village Hall, the program was conducted in collaboration with the Magelang Regency Livestock and Fisheries Office (Dispeterikan) to introduce the government’s Dairy Cattle Program and promote proper livestock feed management. The initiative aims to improve the quality and productivity of dairy milk production. By optimizing feed management practices, the program also supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.
The keynote speaker, Prasetyo Nugroho, Head of the Animal Health Center (Puskeswan) of Magelang Regency, explained that the Dairy Cattle Program will introduce imported dairy cows from Australia, which possess superior genetic traits and significantly higher milk production potential than local breeds.
“The best local dairy cows produce around 18 liters of milk per day, while imported dairy cows can produce at least 25 liters per day,” he explained.
The program is expected to contribute to the availability of high-quality milk as an important source of nutrition for the community while also improving the livelihoods and income of dairy farmers in Ngemplak Village.
Prasetyo Nugroho also presented best practices in dairy feed management and discussed the future of livestock modernization through the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). He explained that providing nutritionally balanced, high-quality feed directly influences not only the volume of milk produced but also its fat and protein content. Furthermore, AI-based monitoring technologies, such as activity sensors, enable farmers to detect cows’ reproductive cycles more accurately and at the appropriate time. This technology can improve breeding success rates while increasing the efficiency of herd management. These innovations are expected to enhance the nutritional quality and market competitiveness of dairy products.
Another speaker, Windiyanto from MyTernak Indonesia, provided practical guidance on forage management for dairy cattle. He emphasized the importance of preparing forage correctly before feeding.
“The forage should be chopped into pieces of 5–10 centimeters and then allowed to wilt before being fed. For example, if it is harvested in the morning, it should be given in the afternoon, and vice versa. If fresh forage is fed immediately to cattle that are not accustomed to it, the animals may suffer from severe bloating, which can be fatal within hours,” he explained.
The educational program provided local residents with a comprehensive understanding of the importance of proper feed management and the potential of AI-based technologies to improve dairy farming. More importantly, the initiative is expected to go beyond theoretical knowledge by encouraging farmers to adopt these practices sustainably, thereby improving productivity and increasing their economic opportunities.
This program was implemented through the active collaboration of the UGM KKN-PPM Windusari Unit under the supervision of Dr. Ir. Endy Triyannanto, S.Pt., M.Eng., IPM., ASEAN Eng., together with academics, village officials, the Magelang Regency Livestock and Fisheries Office, and MyTernak Indonesia. This collaborative effort supports the achievement of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by strengthening cooperation among universities, government institutions, local communities, and the private sector in promoting sustainable development. Through strong partnerships, food security and the welfare of dairy farmers can become achievable goals rather than aspirations.
Article Source: Madafa Tirta
Editors: Dn Halimah & Ainun
Source/Photos: UGM KKN-PPM Ngemplak Unit Team, Windusari, Magelang, Central Java (2025)