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1st Int. Transborder Conf. of the Timor Island: Timor %u2013 Science without borderDili, 7-8 May 202575The Effect of Substitution of Kume Grass Hay with Hydroponic Corn Fodder Hay on Energy Utilization of Kacang GoatsSirena Udu, Imanuel Benu*, Gusti Ayu Y. Lestari and I Gusti Ngurah JelantikDepartment of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Animal Science, Fishery and Marine Science, Kupang, Indonesia, 85001*Corresponding author: imanuelbenu@staf.undana.ac.idAbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of replacing Kume grass hay with hydroponic maize fodder hay on energy utilization in Kacang goats. A change-over design was employed over two periods, using four dietary treatments with two replications. The treatment diets were as follows: DMF0 (70% Kume grass hay + 30% concentrate), DMF1 (52.5% Kume grass hay + 17.5% hydroponic maize fodder hay + 30% concentrate), DMF2 (35% Kume grass hay + 35% hydroponic maize fodder hay + 30% concentrate), and DMF3 (17.5% Kume grass hay + 52.5% hydroponic maize fodder hay + 30% concentrate). Parameters measured included energy intake, energy digestibility, digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), nitrogen excretion, and methane emissions. The results showed that increasing the proportion of hydroponic maize fodder hay significantly (P < 0.05) improved energy intake, energy digestibility, DE, ME, and nitrogen utilization efficiency. However, higher substitution levels also led to increased nitrogen excretion and methane production. In conclusion, replacing Kume grass hay with increasing levels of hydroponic maize fodder hay enhances energy utilization in Kacang goats. Hydroponic maize fodder hay offers a promising alternative forage to improve nutritional performance and metabolic efficiency. Nonetheless, its inclusion should be carefully managed to ensure nutrient balance and minimize potential environmental impacts.Key words: Digestible energy; hydroponic maize fodder; Kacang goats; kume grass hay, metabolizable energy