ANN 121: Applied Animal Nutrition-I (2+1)

UREA MOLASSES MINERAL BLOCK

• Urea can be fed in several forms. It may be included in solid blocks which also provides vitamin and mineral supplementation and contains a readily available source of energy, usually starch.

Specifications for Urea Molasses Mineral Blocks

• The National Dairy Development board (NDDB), Anand has developed Urea molasses mineral blocks which contain molasses 45%, Urea 15%, Mineral mixture 15%, Salt 8%, Calcite powder 4%, bentonite 3% and cotton seed meal 10% with the following specifications.

Characterisitcs	Requirement
Moisture (%), Max	3.5
Crude Protein (%), Min	58.0
Crude Fibre (%), Max	2.0
Total Ash (%), Max	34.0
Acid Insoluble ash (%), Max	3.0
Calcium (%), Max	4.0
Phosphorus (%), Min	1.5
Sulphur (%), Min	1.0
Urea (%), Max	15.0

Note: The values for characteristcs 2 to 9 are on moisture free basis.

• Animals are allowed free access to the blocks. Intake being restricted by the blocks having to be licked and by their high salt content.

• If there is some danger of excessive urea intakes, remove the block crumble or there be readily available source of water allowing the animal to cope with the high salt intakes.

Advantages of  Urea Molasses Mineral Blocks (UMMB)

• Ingredients are easliy available in almost all parts of  Indian and its preparation is very easy and cheaper than conventional sources of protein (Oil cakes)
• Density of UMMB is much higher than the ingredients, which facilitates long distance transportation, at a cheaper rate.
• UMMB blocks are suitable for supplementing dry fodder based diets for sustainability of ruminants during droughts and floods.
• UMMB licks are hard enough to control gradual intake limited to about 700 g in adult bovines and 800 -1000 g in growing bovines of about 200 kg body weights.

Precaution to be followed while feeding UMMB

• UMMB should not have more than 10% moisture and should be stored at a dry place protected from rodents. It should be offered to the animal in the dry manger and wetting should be prevented. Under moisture conditions it may become soft to facilitate swallowing.