Feed Processing technologies for Feed Processing technologies for sustainable animal productionsustainable animal production

Dr. Pankaj Kumar SinghDr. Pankaj Kumar SinghDepartment of Animal NutritionDepartment of Animal Nutrition

Bihar Veterinary College, Patna, Bihar, Bihar Veterinary College, Patna, Bihar, IndiaIndia

E-mail:vetpank@gmail.comE-mail:vetpank@gmail.com

Livestock: a driving force for food Livestock: a driving force for food security security

and sustainable developmentand sustainable development ► An important food sourceAn important food source ► Help to alleviate seasonal food variabilityHelp to alleviate seasonal food variability ► As a source of incomeAs a source of income ► As a generator of employmentAs a generator of employment ► As a source of energyAs a source of energy

Draught animal powerDraught animal power Dung for fuelDung for fuel Biogas productionBiogas production. .

► As a source of fertilizer and soil As a source of fertilizer and soil conditionerconditioner

► Livestock and weed controlLivestock and weed control ► Livestock for investment and savingsLivestock for investment and savings

Feeding scenario of Livestock in Feeding scenario of Livestock in BiharBihar

► Availability of nutritious fodder is the biggest constraint

► Farmers have limited resources available for feeding to their ruminant livestock.

► They use whatever is available at no or low cost.

► The available fodder is not only insufficient but also poor in nutritive value.

► Crop residues (wheat straw, paddy straw) constitute the major feed resources for the livestock population in Bihar.

► Poor nutrition causes poor productivity, infertility, abortion and high morbidity and mortality.

► Therefore, the strategy for improving production should be to optimize the efficiency of utilization of the available feed resources to maximize animal production.

Sources of Roughages:Sources of Roughages:A. Dry roughage:A. Dry roughage:

I. Dry cereal crop residues:- I. Dry cereal crop residues:- Paddy straw, Wheat Bhusha, Maize stoverPaddy straw, Wheat Bhusha, Maize stover

II. Pulses straw:II. Pulses straw:Moong straw, Pea straw, Gram straw etc.Moong straw, Pea straw, Gram straw etc.

III. Dry mixed natural grassesIII. Dry mixed natural grasses~ Easily available at low or no cost~ Easily available at low or no cost

B. Green fodders:B. Green fodders:I. Leguminous fodder: Berseem, Cowpea, LeucerneI. Leguminous fodder: Berseem, Cowpea, LeucerneII. Cereal Fodder: Maize, Sorghum, Oats etc.II. Cereal Fodder: Maize, Sorghum, Oats etc.III. Grasses: Hybrid napier, Sudan grassIII. Grasses: Hybrid napier, Sudan grassIV. Tree leaves: Pipal, Jhunjhuna, Pakar, JamunIV. Tree leaves: Pipal, Jhunjhuna, Pakar, Jamun~ Seasonal and limited availability at high cost~ Seasonal and limited availability at high cost

Feed characteristics of crop Feed characteristics of crop residues:residues:

► Deficient in almost all nutrientsDeficient in almost all nutrients► High ligno- cellulose contentHigh ligno- cellulose content

~ Resistant to microbial digestion~ Resistant to microbial digestion► Low palatabilityLow palatability► Low dietary intakeLow dietary intake► Low digestibility of nutrientsLow digestibility of nutrients► Fungal toxin in Bajra strawFungal toxin in Bajra straw► Presence of anti-nutritional factors Presence of anti-nutritional factors

High silica content (8-13%) in paddy straw & sugar cane topsHigh silica content (8-13%) in paddy straw & sugar cane topsHigh oxalate (binds with calcium) in paddy strawHigh oxalate (binds with calcium) in paddy strawCrop Residues~ Poor quality roughageCrop Residues~ Poor quality roughage

► In spite of poor nutritive In spite of poor nutritive value and high anti-value and high anti-nutritive factors, use of nutritive factors, use of crop residues in ruminant crop residues in ruminant feeding is the only option feeding is the only option in India because good in India because good quality roughage sources quality roughage sources are in poor supply are in poor supply compared to demand.compared to demand.

~The shortage of dry ~The shortage of dry fodder and green fodder fodder and green fodder is 27 and 48%, is 27 and 48%, respectively.respectively.

Optimizing animal productivity using poor Optimizing animal productivity using poor quality roughage can be achieved by:quality roughage can be achieved by:

I.I. Supplementation:Supplementation: Supplementing a poor quality roughages to correct Supplementing a poor quality roughages to correct

nutritional imbalances and thereby create optimum nutritional imbalances and thereby create optimum rumen conditions for efficient microbial fermentation.rumen conditions for efficient microbial fermentation.

►Providing a good quality forage in small amount to Providing a good quality forage in small amount to maintain flow rate of digesta from the rumen.maintain flow rate of digesta from the rumen.

►Providing rumen-non degradable protein sources to Providing rumen-non degradable protein sources to provide relatively insoluble protein to provide provide relatively insoluble protein to provide amino acids and peptides in the lower gut.amino acids and peptides in the lower gut.

►Supplementation of minerals and vitamins.Supplementation of minerals and vitamins.

II. Processing of crop residues:II. Processing of crop residues:

Processing of Poor quality roughages:Processing of Poor quality roughages:► Purpose:Purpose:

To increase voluntary feed intakeTo increase voluntary feed intake

To increase palatabilityTo increase palatability

To dissociate cellulose and hemicellulose To dissociate cellulose and hemicellulose from lignin and silica for increasing microbial from lignin and silica for increasing microbial action action

~ increase in digestibility.~ increase in digestibility. To increase energy availability by reducing To increase energy availability by reducing

losses in digestive processes.losses in digestive processes.

To increase surface area for providing more To increase surface area for providing more exposed surface for the action of enzymes exposed surface for the action of enzymes and microbes for higher digestibility.and microbes for higher digestibility.

To reduce the bulkiness through To reduce the bulkiness through densification.densification.

Dry roughage processing Dry roughage processing methods:methods:

► I. Physical MethodsI. Physical Methodsa. Chaffinga. Chaffingb. Bhoosa makingb. Bhoosa makingc. Water treatmentc. Water treatmentd. Steam treatmentd. Steam treatmente. Densificatione. Densificationf. Irradiationf. Irradiation

► II. Chemical MethodsII. Chemical Methodsa. Acid treatmenta. Acid treatmentb. Alkali treatmentb. Alkali treatmentc. Ammoniationc. Ammoniation

► III. Biological MethodsIII. Biological Methodsa.a. White rot fungi treatmentWhite rot fungi treatmentb.b. EnzymesEnzymesc.c. MushroomMushroom

Physical Methods:Physical Methods:I. Chaffing: I. Chaffing:

►Cut into 1 to 4 cm long pieces Cut into 1 to 4 cm long pieces ~ Improves feed intake~ Improves feed intake~It avoids wastage~It avoids wastage

II. Bhoosa making: II. Bhoosa making: ► Long straw is broken into dusty fine Long straw is broken into dusty fine

particles to long pieces of 5 cm length by threshingparticles to long pieces of 5 cm length by threshing ~ Expanded and softer then long straw~ Expanded and softer then long straw~ Improves feed intake.~ Improves feed intake.

III. Grinding:III. Grinding:►Dry and chaffed roughage are grind in hammer millDry and chaffed roughage are grind in hammer mill~ allow uniform mixing of fodder with other feed ~ allow uniform mixing of fodder with other feed

ingredients for complete feed in the shape of pellet.ingredients for complete feed in the shape of pellet.IV. Irradiation:IV. Irradiation:

Radiation sources like X-ray and gamma rays breaks the Radiation sources like X-ray and gamma rays breaks the ligno-cellulose bond and improves digestibilityligno-cellulose bond and improves digestibility~ No practical utility due to high cost and health hazard.~ No practical utility due to high cost and health hazard.

Physical MethodsPhysical Methods cont…cont…

V. Water washing:V. Water washing:► Chaffed straw is deeded in water for about 2 hours and Chaffed straw is deeded in water for about 2 hours and

then water is decanted.then water is decanted.► Some farmers in hilly areas store paddy straw on the Some farmers in hilly areas store paddy straw on the

branches of trees for washing by rain water and drying by branches of trees for washing by rain water and drying by aeration.aeration.

Benefits :Benefits : Water soluble harmful compound `Oxalate` is removed.Water soluble harmful compound `Oxalate` is removed.Ca+ Oxalate= Ca-Oxalate Ca+ Oxalate= Ca-Oxalate

~ Better calcium utilization.~ Better calcium utilization.VI. Water soaking:VI. Water soaking:Deeping of dry roughage in the water for Deeping of dry roughage in the water for more then 3-4 hours Dry fodder gets more then 3-4 hours Dry fodder gets saturated with absorbed water which saturated with absorbed water which causes swelling and softening of straw.causes swelling and softening of straw.Increases voluntary feed intakeIncreases voluntary feed intake..

` ` Saani`Saani` method of traditional feeding system in Biharmethod of traditional feeding system in Bihar

Physical MethodsPhysical Methods cont…cont…

VII. Densification: Dry roughage can be VII. Densification: Dry roughage can be pressed in a compact feeds.pressed in a compact feeds.~Reduces the space required for storage~Reduces the space required for storage

A. Bailing: Compressed product of loose straw by A. Bailing: Compressed product of loose straw by a bailing machine.a bailing machine.

Volume may be reduced t o one third.Volume may be reduced t o one third.B. Briquetting: Compression by Pressure and B. Briquetting: Compression by Pressure and

heatheat

C. Pelleting: Chopping followed by grinding and C. Pelleting: Chopping followed by grinding and boiling to pass through a die.boiling to pass through a die.

D. Block making: Forage block and D. Block making: Forage block and complete complete feed blockfeed block

The available options of densification

DrawbackBailing - Low bulk

density

Pelleting - Energy intensive

(Chopping, Grinding)Briquetting - Energy

intensive(Pressure as heat)

None of these efficient in handling crop residues

Mechanical densification of fodder

Is “Value adding process”

It leads to advantagesIn transport cost

In storage spaceSafety in transportation

Complete feed block making machine

Hydraulic Cylinder

Frame Electric control panel

Components- Power

Pack

S. S. No. No.

FeedFeed Bulk Bulk Density of Density of Feed Feed (kg/m(kg/m33) )

Bulk Density Bulk Density of Feed block of Feed block (kg/m(kg/m33) )

    1.  1.  Ground nut strawGround nut straw 81.0081.00 553.63553.63    2.  2.  Ardu leavesArdu leaves 51.5051.50 539.06539.06    3.  3.  Mustard strawMustard straw 51.4851.48 562.21562.21    4.  4.  Gram strawGram straw 66.4866.48 471.94471.94    5.  5.  Wheat strawWheat straw 57.2257.22 347.22347.22    6.  6.  Jowar strawJowar straw 70.0070.00 437.20437.20    7.  7.  Paddy strawPaddy straw 70.0070.00 279.00279.00    8.  8.  Forest grassForest grass 66.3366.33 503.00503.00

Table 1: Bulk density of raw feeds and blocks

S. S. No. No.

FeedFeed Bulk Bulk Density of Density of Feed Feed (kg/m(kg/m33) )

Bulk Density of Bulk Density of Feed block Feed block (kg/m(kg/m33) )

    9.  9.  Bajra karbiBajra karbi 119.60119.60 511.10511.10 10. 10. Cenchrus grassCenchrus grass 67.5067.50 486.84486.84 11.11. Arhar strawArhar straw 55.0055.00 689.06689.06 12. 12. Sugarcane bagasseSugarcane bagasse 61.061.0 567.50567.50 13. 13. Cluster beanCluster bean 109.00109.00 596.67596.67 14. 14. Wheat straw (with Wheat straw (with

molasses 5 %)molasses 5 %)70.0070.00 570.67570.67

15.15. Mango leavesMango leaves 17.0017.00 643.20643.20 16.16. Sugarcane top (with Sugarcane top (with

mustard cake 10 % mustard cake 10 % + molasses 10 %)+ molasses 10 %)

105.00105.00 352.00352.00

Table 1: Bulk density of raw feeds and blocks

Why Complete Feed Block ?

We are required -To ensure adequate balanced nutrition- To provide allowance for growing stock, pregnant

and lactating animals. - To make transportation and storage of feed

ingredients easier.- To store feed ingredients in fodder bank for

future use (Particularly during disaster)~Complete feed block is a

solution.

Thus, Combining of densification

With Concept of complete feed

Is a Viable proposition

For Fodder banking

To arrive at Sustainable livestock production

Complete Feed Block Machine

Devised by IARI

Seems to be appropriate To

Meet objectives of provision of complete feed in densified form

What is Complete Feed Block

“It is densified product, containing both

roughage & conc. in desired proportion to

meet the requirement of target animal production”

Advantages of complete feed blocks

• Non-conventional, less palatable feeds can be used to make ration economic.

• During storage, prepared feed blocks required one third less space as compared to loose form

• Transportation of such blocks is convenient and trouble free.

• Reduces transportation cost.• Reduces storage cost

Advantages of complete feed blocks

• The palatability, voluntary intake and nutrient utilization of low-grade roughages are increased.

• Stable rumen environment & Minimal fermentation losses

• Prevents loss of lighter nutrients resulted from sneezing.

• Reduces the wastage of feed material by animal during feeding.

• Saves labour on feeding management.

Complete Feed Block Making Machine

Advantages of Machine• Simple in operation

• Only one person is required to operate

• Can compact all kinds of feed materials to square shape (20 X 20 cm.) and of desired thickness & weight

Reduction in transportation cost

Densification with Complete Feed Block Machine

Enhances bulk density5-8 times for roughage alone 4-6 time for complete feed

Utilization of Complete Feed Block

Feed intake

No effect on digestibility

Parameter Block MeshDMI (% b.wt.) 4.38 4.12N Balance (g/d) 8.0 5.915% higher b.wt. gain obtained in block feeding

Performance of heifers on complete feed block

DMI % 3.58±0.05 DCP (g/d) 673.76 TDN(kg/d) 3.59 Weight gain(g/d) 768.5±39.66

Chemical treatment of dry Chemical treatment of dry roughagesroughages

► A. Alkali treatment:A. Alkali treatment:AdvantagesAdvantages: :

Alkali breaks ligno-cellulose bond (Ester linkage) of Alkali breaks ligno-cellulose bond (Ester linkage) of straw straw

MethodsMethods::I. Sodium Hydroxide treatment:I. Sodium Hydroxide treatment:

► 4 kg of sodium hydroxide dissolved in 200 liters of water is 4 kg of sodium hydroxide dissolved in 200 liters of water is sprinkled on 100kg of straw.sprinkled on 100kg of straw.

► The treated straw is left for 3-4 hours for reaction before The treated straw is left for 3-4 hours for reaction before feeding.feeding.

DrawbackDrawback: Sodium hydroxide is costly and corrosive in nature: Sodium hydroxide is costly and corrosive in nature ..

II. Calcium hydroxide treatment:II. Calcium hydroxide treatment:► 4 kg of calcium hydroxide dissolved in 100 liters of water is 4 kg of calcium hydroxide dissolved in 100 liters of water is

sprinkled on 100 kg of straw.sprinkled on 100 kg of straw.

DrawbackDrawback: High cost and Low solubility in water.: High cost and Low solubility in water.

Chemical treatment of dry roughagesChemical treatment of dry roughages cont..cont..

► III. Ammonia treatment:III. Ammonia treatment:AdvantagesAdvantages: :

Alkali breaks ligno-cellulose bond (Ester linkage) of straw.Alkali breaks ligno-cellulose bond (Ester linkage) of straw. Improves digestibility of strawImproves digestibility of straw Improves nitrogen content of strawImproves nitrogen content of straw

Methods:Methods:A. Anhydrous ammonia: A. Anhydrous ammonia:

►100 kg of straw wrapped with polythene cover 100 kg of straw wrapped with polythene cover injected with 3 litre of of anhydrous ammonia.injected with 3 litre of of anhydrous ammonia.

Drawbacks:Drawbacks:► Very costlyVery costly► Not freely availableNot freely available► Transportation gaseous ammonia is difficult.Transportation gaseous ammonia is difficult.► Need much care and skilled personNeed much care and skilled person

B. Ammoniation through urea hydrolysis:B. Ammoniation through urea hydrolysis:

► Method of urea -ammoniation:Method of urea -ammoniation: UreaUrea Ammonia + Carbon dioxideAmmonia + Carbon dioxide

4 kg urea dissolved in 4 kg urea dissolved in

40 kg water 40 kg water

Spray uniformly over 100 kg straw or bhushaSpray uniformly over 100 kg straw or bhusha

Preserve the treated material under air Preserve the treated material under air tight tight condition using plastic sheetscondition using plastic sheets

For For 3 weeks in hot season3 weeks in hot season

4-5 weeks in cold season.4-5 weeks in cold season.

Benefits of Urea-Ammoniation:Benefits of Urea-Ammoniation:

► Increases the protein contentIncreases the protein contentRice strawRice straw 9%9%wheat Bhushawheat Bhusha 10% 10% (Rajan, 2001)(Rajan, 2001)

► Improves the palatability of strawImproves the palatability of straw► Improves the digestibility of strawImproves the digestibility of straw►Better rumen degradabilityBetter rumen degradability►Preservation of high moisture material Preservation of high moisture material

preventing mould attack.preventing mould attack.►Relative inexpensiveRelative inexpensive

Urea-Molasses-Wheat bran Compact Urea-Molasses-Wheat bran Compact Feed Block- Feed Block- Other method of urea Other method of urea

feedingfeeding

I. Energy Sources

II. Nitrogen Sources: II.1. Non-Protein Nitrogenous Source II.2. Vegetable or True Protein

III. Mineral Sources: III.1. Common Salt III.2. Mineral Mixture III.3. Dolomite

IV. Structural Components

V. Binder

TYPES OF INGREDIENTS

I. Energy Sources II. Nitrogen Sources: II.1. Non-Protein Nitrogenous Source II.2. Vegetable or True Protein III. Mineral Sources: III.1. Common Salt III.2. Mineral Mixture III.3. Dolomite IV. Structural Components V. Binder

I. II.1. II.2. III.1. III.2. III.3. IV. V.

I. ENERGY SOURCESI. ENERGY SOURCES MolassesMolasses: : SugarcaneSugarcane or or sugar beetsugar beet, ,

which ever is available, can be used for which ever is available, can be used for feed block production but cane feed block production but cane molasses is better than the beet molasses is better than the beet molasses. In place of molasses, cattle molasses. In place of molasses, cattle feed grade feed grade jaggery jaggery can also be used. can also be used.

II. NITROGEN SOURCESII. NITROGEN SOURCES 1. Non-protein nitrogenous source:1. Non-protein nitrogenous source:

Fertilizer grade, granular urea can be used.Fertilizer grade, granular urea can be used. 2. 2. Vegetable or true protein:Vegetable or true protein:

Any de-oiled seed cake or meal can be used. De-Any de-oiled seed cake or meal can be used. De-oiled soybean seed meal is the best choice but oiled soybean seed meal is the best choice but instead of that Mustard cake, Til cake etc., can instead of that Mustard cake, Til cake etc., can also be used.also be used.

III. MINERAL SOURCESIII. MINERAL SOURCES 1. Common salt:1. Common salt: Any type of powdered, Any type of powdered,

common salt can be used in preparation common salt can be used in preparation of feed block.of feed block.

2. Mineral mixture: 2. Mineral mixture: Vitamin-mineral Vitamin-mineral mixture, containingmixture, containing vitamin A, Dvitamin A, D3, 3, E, and E, and lysine and methionine amino acids, is the lysine and methionine amino acids, is the best for block production. Alternatively, best for block production. Alternatively, mineral mixture containing calcium and mineral mixture containing calcium and phosphorus, and fortified with vitamin A phosphorus, and fortified with vitamin A can also be used.can also be used.

3. Dolomite: 3. Dolomite: It is a complex of carbonates It is a complex of carbonates of calcium and magnesium. Alternatively, of calcium and magnesium. Alternatively, calcite can be used instead of dolomitecalcite can be used instead of dolomite..

IV. STRUCTURAL IV. STRUCTURAL COMPONENTSCOMPONENTS

                    Wheat bran is the best, as it not only Wheat bran is the best, as it not only provides structural stability to the block but provides structural stability to the block but also a rich source of structural and soluble also a rich source of structural and soluble carbohydrates, and also of B-complex carbohydrates, and also of B-complex vitamins. Wheat bran can be replaced by vitamins. Wheat bran can be replaced by any of the following feed ingredients: (1) any of the following feed ingredients: (1) De-oiled rice bran (2) mixture of de-oiled De-oiled rice bran (2) mixture of de-oiled rice bran and rice polishings (3) Malt rice bran and rice polishings (3) Malt sprouts (4) Bruised barley by-products, sprouts (4) Bruised barley by-products, which is a mixture of barley bran and husk which is a mixture of barley bran and husk (5) mixture of rice polishings.(5) mixture of rice polishings.

V. BINDERV. BINDER

Several inorganic binders like cement, gypsum, Several inorganic binders like cement, gypsum, bentonite, oxides of calcium and magnesium are bentonite, oxides of calcium and magnesium are in use as compact feed block binder. But we, in in use as compact feed block binder. But we, in our formulations, use organic binder. Presently our formulations, use organic binder. Presently we are using a by-product of guar-gum industry we are using a by-product of guar-gum industry or gum-dust as binding material. or gum-dust as binding material.

1

3+4+7 6 8

7

6

2.1

5

4

3

2.2

I N G R E D I E N T S (8)1. Molasses 2.1. Urea granules 2.2. Urea solution 3. Dolomite 4. Vitamin-mineral mixture 5. Guar gum dust 6. Guar churi 7. Common salt 8. Wheat bran 3+4+7. Mixture of salts

(i(i) Storage bins, ) Storage bins, (ii) Balance or weighing scale, (ii) Balance or weighing scale, (iii) Heating device: LPG gas/fuel-wood/coal stove or (iii) Heating device: LPG gas/fuel-wood/coal stove or

electric heater, electric heater, (iv) Wooden or iron moulds, (iv) Wooden or iron moulds, (v) Feed-block press machine: Hand operated screw (v) Feed-block press machine: Hand operated screw

type/foot press/Electric operated hydraulic block type/foot press/Electric operated hydraulic block press press

(vi) Dryer: Hybrid type solar-cum-electric/Solar (vi) Dryer: Hybrid type solar-cum-electric/Solar dryer fitted with exhaust hood/hot air draft type dryer fitted with exhaust hood/hot air draft type electric oven/Industrial oven/Hot air blast type, electric oven/Industrial oven/Hot air blast type, diesel furnace-oven. diesel furnace-oven.

Collapsible Iron Collapsible Iron Mould Mould

& & Screw-type Screw-type

Block Press MachineBlock Press Machine

Institute’s Feed-block press

machine

Farmer’s Feed-block press

machine

Collapsible Wooden-Mould for Feed-block Production

Low Cost Solar Feed-block Dryer

1. Mixing of Ingredients

2. Pressing of Ingredient Mixture

3. Drying the Pressed Material

4. Packing

PRODUCTION PROCESSPRODUCTION PROCESS

1. Weight 1.0 kg granular, fertilizer grade urea in glass or steel container and heat it with 500 ml (half litre) water, till it dissolves. Avoid over heating. While hot

2. Pour this solution (I) into a plastic tub containing 10.400 kg molasses, and mix with steel spoon.

3. Prepare mixture of 1.0 kg common salt, 1.0 kg vitamin-mineral mixture, and 1.0 kg dolomitic lime or calcite.

4. Pour all-mineral mixture into urea-molasses solution and go on mixing till homogenous suspension of urea-molasses-mineral is obtained.

5. Take 7.400 kg wheat bran

in a large sized plastic tub

and add to it 0.500 kg de-

oiled soybean meal or any

oil-seed cake. Mix

well.

6. To this mixture, pour suspension of urea-molasses mineral ingredients (III), and mix all these contents till there is coating of (III), over the wheat bran-soya meal mixture.

7.At last, slowly, sprinkle 240 grams of guar gum dust over the above mixture (IV) and mix thoroughly all the ingredients.

            Weigh 2.350 kg of above mixture. Weigh 2.350 kg of above mixture.

            Processing & Mixing of ingredientsProcessing & Mixing of ingredients

Transfer weighed mixture into the iron mould,

and press the material with screw type hand press machine

  Allow to keep the pressed material in the mould for 24 hours.

      Alternatively mixture can be pressed in wooden mould.

or non-draught or draught type industrial electric oven or non-draught or draught type industrial electric oven at 60-65at 60-65C, till it dries completely. The dried block C, till it dries completely. The dried block

should not contain more than 15% moisture.should not contain more than 15% moisture.

Dry the pressed material (VI) in: Solar drier/Hybrid electric-cum-solar drier

•Proto-type Solar Dryer•Hybrid-type solar dryer(Loaded with feed-block and mixture)

•Low-cost Feed-block Dryer(Loaded with chopped Lucerne)

Dried feed block canDried feed block canbe packed in abe packed in apolythene wrapper. polythene wrapper.

Finally 10 blocks canFinally 10 blocks canbe packed in a be packed in a

printed printed jute bag or a paper jute bag or a paper

cartoon.cartoon.

Heifers

&

a Milch Cow

Licking Feed Block

TharparkarTharparkar Cow Licking Wheat bran-molasses Cow Licking Wheat bran-molasses

BlockBlock

Tharparkar Heifer Licking the Block

Tharparkar Bull Feeding upon Compact Feed Block

Buffalo Feeding on

Wheat-Bran Molasses Multi-nutrient Feed Block

- A. K. Patel

Block Feeding in Buffalo

Increased Feed intake Corrected pica

Increased daily milk yield by 23%.

2-kg block in a buffalo last for 5-days.

Black-faced Marwari Sheep Licking the Block

Horse Licking Urea-free Equid Feed-block

A Horse Licking Urea-free Equid Block

Precaution of urea feeding:Precaution of urea feeding:► Never feed to young animals below 6 months of age.Never feed to young animals below 6 months of age.

► Never cross the limit of 116 gram of urea for adult Never cross the limit of 116 gram of urea for adult cattle and 10 g for sheep.cattle and 10 g for sheep.

► Provide sufficient drinking water Provide sufficient drinking water

► Uniform mixing of urea is essential to avoid urea Uniform mixing of urea is essential to avoid urea toxicity.toxicity.

► Avoid dietary inclusion of urea suddenly.Avoid dietary inclusion of urea suddenly.

► Provide sufficient amount of soluble carbohydrate for Provide sufficient amount of soluble carbohydrate for efficient utilization of urea (e.g Molasses)efficient utilization of urea (e.g Molasses)

Urea ToxicityUrea Toxicity::►Urea degrades to ammoniaUrea degrades to ammonia►Ammonia utilized by rumen microbes to Ammonia utilized by rumen microbes to

synthesize microbial protein.synthesize microbial protein.►Microbial protein digested in small Microbial protein digested in small

intestine to provide protein for animal use.intestine to provide protein for animal use.►Optimum ammonia concentration:5-8 mg Optimum ammonia concentration:5-8 mg

per 100 ml rumen liquorper 100 ml rumen liquor►Above this level blood ammonia level risesAbove this level blood ammonia level rises►1mg ammonia/100ml blood- toxic1mg ammonia/100ml blood- toxic►3 mg ammonia/100ml blood- lethal3 mg ammonia/100ml blood- lethal

Urea Toxicity:Urea Toxicity:Common reasons:Common reasons:

Improper dose rate of ureaImproper dose rate of urea Improper mixing of urea in feed Improper mixing of urea in feed Accidental use by animal at farmers doorAccidental use by animal at farmers door

Symptoms:Symptoms:BloatBloatExcessive salivationExcessive salivationRespiratory difficultyRespiratory difficultyBellowingBellowingConvulsionConvulsion

Treatment:Treatment:Drenching of 20-40 litre cold water Drenching of 20-40 litre cold water (inhibit ureolytic (inhibit ureolytic

activity)activity)Drenching of 4-5 litre of 10% acetic acid (binds Drenching of 4-5 litre of 10% acetic acid (binds

ammonia).ammonia).

Conclusions:Conclusions:► Availability of nutritious fodder is the

biggest constraint for animal production.animal production.► There is a wide gap of demand and supply There is a wide gap of demand and supply

of quality roughage in Bihar.of quality roughage in Bihar.► Crop residues (wheat straw, paddy straw)

constitute the major feed resources for the livestock population in Bihar.

► Promotion of fodder production, Promotion of fodder production, establishment of fodder banks and efficient establishment of fodder banks and efficient utilization of available feed resources using utilization of available feed resources using appropriate technologies are essential for appropriate technologies are essential for sustainable animal production.sustainable animal production.~which require long term strategies~which require long term strategies

However

To develop a long term strategy

“Individual, Social and Political

commitments are essential”