Beef cattle farming potential in the coconut plantation companies lands in South Minahasa Regency, Indonesia

This study aims to determine the carrying capacity and profitability of developing beef cattle farming in the coconut land hold by coconut plantation companies. The research was conducted using a survey method on tenant farmers of coconut land that are managed by plantation companies, both state company and private companies holding land use rights (HGU) for coconut plantations. Data that are observed and measured in the field based on the results of interviews with respondents, as well as secondary data from related agencies. The analytical methods used are carrying capacity and profit predicted analysis. The results of the study were concluded as follows: (1) Potential carrying capacity of forage for cattle in coconut plantation company land has an average of 5.28 AU (Animal Unit) of cattles, while on average ownership of cattle only 2.06 AU of cattles each tenant farmer in coconut land that are managed by plantation companies, so that the number of cattle ownerships can still be increased by about 3.22 AU. Tenant farmers of coconut plantation companies land have the potential for the availability of forage on cultivated coconut land owned by coconut plantation companies, so that they can still increase the number of cattle kept.