MANUAL ON IMPROVED FEEDING OF DAIRY CATTLE BY ... - Gart

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Manual on improved feeding of Dairy Cattle by Smallholder Farmers
FIGURE 26: Leuceana
13. DRY SEASON SUPPLEMENTATION WITH UREA
MOLASSES BLOCKS (UMB)
Molasses Urea Mixtures are an ideal supplement to provide energy, protein and
minerals to ruminants, when these nutrients are in short supply during the dry
season. Only ruminants can utilize urea, which is converted into proteins by the
bacteria in their rumen.
Urea is highly poisonous to other animals. But also to ruminants, if it is given in
excessive amounts. For the same reason it should never be fed to young calves
before these are weaned and start ruminating.
The mixture can be fed using a licking wheel, by pouring it over the fodder
and then mix it so that it sticks to the fodder. It can also be provided as a Urea
Molasses (lick) Block (UMB).
A molasses urea mineral block can be made easily. To enable the mixture to
harden sufficiently so that firm blocks are made, some cement can be added.
Make sure that you do not use too much urea (poisonous) or cement (the block
will become too hard).
13.1 Preparation of Urea Molasses Blocks (UMB) and their recommended
composition
- Prepare wooden frames with the dimensions: 10 cm x 20 cm x 5 cm.
- Obtain the necessary ingredients and weigh them carefully. In case you make
a quantity of 100 kg (sufficient for 25 – 30 blocks of 3.5 - 4 kg each) use the
following quantities:
Molasses 38 kg
Urea 12 kg
Mineral Mixture / DCP / bone meal 2 kg
Salt 3 kg
Cement 13 kg
Wheat Bran / Maize bran 32 kg
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Total ingredients 100 kg
- Start with the molasses. Add 1 – 3 % water if it is too dry to mix easily.
- Add the urea and mix until it is completely dissolved.
- Add the bone-meal or mineral mixture and the salt.