Urea Molasses Blocks (UMB) as a Promising Feed for Sheep and Goats
Why supplement with Urea Molasses Blocks? Sheep and goat diets in India are based on fibrous feeds like mature grass and crop residues. These feeds are deficient in protein, minerals and vitamins and are poorly digestible.Both these characteristics keep intake and productivity low. Supplementation with Urea Molasses Blocks (UMB) can increase digestibility of fibrous feeds by up to 20%, increase the nutrients the animal receives and can increase feed intake by 25 to 30%. If another good quality protein source such as cottonseed cake is added to the block, the animal will grow faster. Animals also benefit if other feedstuffs such as vitamins, minerals, medicines, etc. are added to the block. Blocks are a convenient way to make and store molasses and urea and also feed to animals. They can easily be made and used in villages. A person may make and sell blocks to farmers as a source of income. The high cost of conventional concentrate feeds prohibits their wide-scale use, especially by small farmers. Therefore, it is necessary to seek alternative supplements to improve the nutrition and thus the productivity of small ruminants. Sustainable and cost-effective nutrition is a critical aspect of small ruminant farming, particularly for sheep and goats. Urea Molasses Blocks (UMB) have emerged as a promising and innovative feed supplement that addresses the nutritional needs of these animals. This article explores the composition, benefits, and potential applications of Urea Molasses Blocks in enhancing the health and productivity of sheep and goats.
ROLE OF UREA FEEDING IN RUMINANTS:
Urea is a non-protein nitrogen compound. Urea contains about 46% nitrogen, and protein contains 16% nitrogen. Therefore, when urea is converted to protein, the crude protein equivalent value of urea is about 281%. The nitrogen portion of urea is used as the building block for the production of protein by rumen microbes. Urea contains no other useful feed components such as energy, minerals, or vitamins. Cattle and other ruminants convert urea to protein through the production of ammonia and carbon dioxide. The ammonia that is released from urea either be used for production of microbial protein, or it is detoxified and excreted in the urine. Urea has been used extensively for the feeding of ruminants under experimental conditions. When it is fed as such to a ruminant, it is hydrolyzed instantly in the rumen and the ammonia released is not utilized efficiently for microbial protein synthesis. In order to slow down the release of various complexes of urea with starch, molasses or as ammoniated crop residues have been reported (Deycec et al., 1968; Nolan and Leng, 1972; Chopra et al., 1974; Gupta et al., 1988). However, adequate supply of nitrogen, energy and minerals in the diet of ruminants is essential for maintaining optimum ruminal activity. A consistent and continuous supply of both nitrogen and energy has been necessary for maintaining optimum microbial activity in rumen. In India, urea has been fed to cows and buffaloes in the form of uromol, urea molasses liquid supplement and urea-treated straw.
MOLASSES AS A SOURCE OF ENERGY:
Molasses is noted for its sugar content and sugars usually contribute 60-65% of the solids in sugarcane molasses. Increasing the rate of carbohydrate fermentation could result in more effective capture of rumen degradable protein and improved supply of metabolizable protein to the dairy animals. Sugars were more rapidly fermented in the rumen than starch (Chamberlain et al., 1993). The organisms that ferment soluble sugars could contribute approximately 18% more microbial protein than the organisms that ferment starches in high moisture corn. Molasses, in dry or liquid form, is a practical source of dietary sugars for feeding to dairy cows.
Composition of Urea Molasses Blocks
- Urea:
- Urea is a rich source of non-protein nitrogen, providing a readily available nitrogen source for microbial protein synthesis in the rumen.
- Molasses:
- Molasses serves as an energy-dense component, offering sugars and carbohydrates essential for microbial fermentation and overall energy balance in the rumen.
- Minerals and Trace Elements:
- UMB can be fortified with essential minerals and trace elements, such as phosphorus, calcium, sulfur, and various micronutrients, addressing potential deficiencies in the diet.
- Protein Sources:
- Some formulations include protein-rich ingredients like oilseed cakes or meals to supplement the microbial protein produced in the rumen.
- Binders:
- Binders like salt or clay are added to improve block durability and prevent disintegration during handling and consumption.
Benefits of Urea Molasses Blocks for Sheep and Goats
- Improved Nutrient Utilization:
- UMB enhances the efficiency of nutrient utilization by promoting microbial protein synthesis in the rumen, leading to improved digestion and absorption of nutrients.
- Enhanced Microbial Activity:
- The combination of urea and molasses stimulates microbial activity in the rumen, resulting in increased production of microbial protein, which serves as a high-quality protein source for the animals.
- Balanced Energy and Protein Supply:
- Molasses provides a readily available energy source, while urea contributes non-protein nitrogen, ensuring a balanced energy and protein supply for optimal growth and production.
- Mineral Supplementation:
- Fortifying UMB with minerals and trace elements helps address specific mineral deficiencies, promoting overall health and preventing mineral-related disorders.
- Cost-Effective Supplement:
- Urea and molasses are relatively inexpensive ingredients, making UMB a cost-effective supplement for small ruminant farmers, especially in regions where traditional feed resources may be limited.
- Convenient Feeding Method:
- UMB provides a convenient and practical feeding method. The blocks are easy to handle, transport, and place in the feeding areas, minimizing labor and management efforts.
Potential Applications in Sheep and Goat Farming
- Growth and Development:
- UMB can be utilized to support the growth and development of lambs and kids, providing essential nutrients during critical phases of their life cycle.
- Breeding and Reproduction:
- During breeding and reproduction seasons, UMB supplementation can enhance the reproductive performance of ewes and does, ensuring optimal conditions for conception and fetal development.
- Milk Production:
- Lactating ewes and does can benefit from UMB supplementation, supporting milk production and improving the overall health of the nursing offspring.
- Seasonal Feed Scarcity:
- In regions experiencing seasonal feed scarcity, UMB can serve as a strategic supplement to bridge nutritional gaps and maintain the health and productivity of the flock.
- Weaning Transition:
- UMB can be employed during the weaning transition to provide a consistent nutrient supply, easing the stress associated with separation from dams.
Constituents of UMB (for 10 kg mixture):
Sl. No.—- Ingredients ——Percentage %—– Amount (kg)
1 Molasses 39 3.9
2 Wheat bran 20 2.0
3 Rice polish 20 2.0
4 Urea 10 1.0
5 Lime 06 0.6
6 Salt 05 0.5
Total 100 10
Molasses is used to induce animals to eat the block due to its sweet taste. Molasses provides energy and some other nutrients and minerals like sulphur. The block should not contain more than 40 to 50% molasses or it will break too easily and take too long to dry. Urea known to farmers as fertilizer for crop production is used to make the blocks. It is advisable that the amount of urea be limited to 10% to avoid poisoning. Urea is essential in improving digestibility and providing protein. Cereal bran is the most common fibrous feed used. The bran provides protein and helps hold the block together. Salt in the range of 5 to 10% is added to the blocks to supply minerals and to control the rate of consumption. Calcium carbonate and dicalcium phosphate can be added to provide additional calcium and phosphorus.Cement is used to make the block hard. About 10 to 15% is sufficient. Higher levels make the blocks too hard. Cement also provides calcium. Clay such as that used in brick making can be mixed with cement to improve block hardness and reduce drying time. It can reduce cost of the block.
Procedure for making 10 kg. UMB in rural level at least cost:
1.At first 3.9kg molasses is weighed and put in a large bowl. 2. 500g common salt and 1 kg of urea is added and admixture well manually. 3. This mixture is kept for one night or at least 12 hours. 4. After 12 hours, the mixture in the bowl is again mixed well by hand. 5. Then wheat bran, rice polish, and lime, which were previously kept into separate bowls, are added with this mixture and also mixed well. 6. Now, this mixture is placed in a 9″ long, 5″ wide and 5″ height wooden forma or dise, and then pressure is applied by wooden cover to give it block shape, block so prepared usually weighs 2.5 kg. 7. The block is now displaced from the dise and kept for 15 hours for hardening and ready for animal consumption. 8. Besides, the above procedures, the mixture can be pressed in the bowl that results the bowl shaped block. This bowl shaped block with bowl can be supplied in front of an animal and offer gradually.
Characteristics of good urea molasses blocks
A block is considered to be good when it fulfills the following criteria:
· Ingredients are well – distributed throughout the block · It does not have lumps of urea and lime · It is hard enough not to be squashed between our fingers and should be resistant enough not to break when a person steps on it. Our hands should feel the sticky molasses when we hold the block. The amount of molasses needs to be increased the next time we make a block if it doesn’t feel sticky.
Feeding and Intake of Urea Molasses Blocks
Blocks should be fed as a lick so that only the top surface is accessible to the animals. This prevents animals from pushing the blocks around, breaking them up and consuming large chunks that could cause urea toxicity. Blocks should be introduced to animals slowly and should be fed after animals have consumed adequate forage. This prevents animals from consuming too much at any one time. Urea Molasses Blocks should never form the main diet. They are meant to be a supplement to a basal diet of forage. It is advisable to give access to sheep and goats for one hour during the first week of adaptation, two hours during the second week and free access after the third week. Some animals may need to be forced to be accustomed to UMB consumption by preventing access to lush feed other than dry roughage during the period of adaptation. Block hardness will affect its rate of intake. If too soft, it is consumed too rapidly and there is the risk of toxicity. If too hard, intake may be too little. Urea at high levels is unpalatable. High levels of urea in Urea Molasses Blocks may reduce intake of the block as well as of straw due to the bitter taste. High levels or imbalances in minerals may result in excessive consumption in a short time also leading to urea poisoning. Precautions should be taken to avoid this problem of over-consumption in drought prone areas particularly towards the end of the dry season when feed is scarce.
Precautions while supplementing Urea Molasses Blocks
It is essential to note the following while supplementing urea Molasses blocks. · Feed to ruminants only (sheep, goats, cattle, camels). · Do not feed to monogastrics, i.e., horses, donkeys, or pigs. · Do not feed to young ruminants less than six months of age (kids, lambs). · Blocks should be used as a supplement and not as the basic ration. · A minimum of coarse forage in the rumen is essential. · Never give blocks to an emaciated animal with an empty stomach. There is the risk of poisoning due to excessive consumption. · The amount of blocks fed to sheep and goats should be limited to 100 grams/day; · The blocks should never be supplied in ground form or dissolved in water as this can result in over consumption · Supply sufficient amount of water.
PRECAUTIONS WHILE FEEDING UMMB IN LIVESTOCK:
v Should not be given to animals younger than 6 months old ruminant animals. v Consumption of too much UMMB should be prevented. Animals should have always been provided with clean drinking water. The block must be protected from rainwater so that it does not soften. v UMMB should only be fed to mature ruminants (cattle, buffalos, sheep, goats) and never fed to monogastric/ simple stomached animals (chicken, donkeys, horses, pigs, rabbits). v Should never be fed alone; a minimum quantity of roughage is needed to ensure that the animals do not consume too much urea, possibly leading to urea poisoning. v UMMB should not have more than 10% moisture. v UMMB should be offered to the animal in the dry manger and wetting should be prevented. In contact with moisture, it may become soft to facilitate easy swallowing. v UMMB supplies greater amount of protein through gradual licking and also supplies essential energy, minerals to ruminant animals.
ADAPTATION OF UMMB IN RUMINANT ANIMALS: The full daily ration of the block should not be offered as soon as the feeding period starts but should be built up to over a period of at least 7- 10 days. This is particularly important when animals have suffered a degree of underfeeding as intake can be more rapid than usual. Animals not used to urea and also eating rapidly are the most likely to suffer from urea poisoning. v After the adaptation period: v The amount of blocks fed to sheep and goats should be limited: 100 g/day v For cattle: it should be limited to 700 g/day
Summary
Urea Molasses Blocks can be an important source of supplement nutrition for sheep and goats to increase intake and increase productivity. They can be made from locally available materials with the main ingredients being molasses, urea, salt, cement, and wheat bran. Other ingredients such as minerals and vitamins can be added. Blocks must be mixed well to prevent the potential of urea poisoning. Feed blocks only to ruminant animals (sheep, goats, cattle). Feed forage before the animal is supplied with the block. Blocks should be used as a supplement and not as the base ration.
Conclusion
Urea Molasses Blocks represent a valuable nutritional tool for small ruminant farmers, offering a cost-effective and practical solution to address the nutritional requirements of sheep and goats. The balanced combination of urea, molasses, and other essential ingredients promotes optimal rumen function, microbial activity, and overall nutrient utilization. Incorporating UMB into feeding strategies can contribute to improved growth rates, reproductive performance, and overall flock health, particularly in regions facing feed resource challenges. As part of a comprehensive feeding program, Urea Molasses Blocks stand out as a promising feed supplement for sustainable and efficient small ruminant farming. It is concluded that that the nutritive value of crop residues can be enhanced if supplemented with deficient nutrients through easily available feed supplements. Supplementation of urea, molasses and mineral mixture enriched block showed promising results in improving the nutrient utilization, production and reproduction of animals. UMMB provides easily fermentable nitrogen, energy and minerals necessary for optimum microbial growth which in turn provides host animal crude protein. Thus, supplementation of UMMB in the ration is quite beneficial and improves economic status of farmers by giving more economic returns through increased milk yields.
Compiled & Shared by- This paper is a compilation of groupwork provided by the
Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
