A low-cost energy, protein, and mineral supplement for periods of grass scarcity (the dry season), widely used in tropical livestock farming and documented by numerous agricultural technical sources. It provides energy (molasses), non-protein nitrogen for ruminal fermentation (urea), and essential minerals (mineralized salt), improving the utilization of low-quality fibrous forage.

Application

Application description : Colocar el bloque ya endurecido y seco en un comedero cubierto o protegido de la lluvia, de libre acceso para los animales. No requiere dosificación: el animal lo consume a demanda. Reponer cuando esté prácticamente agotado.

Tips

Urea is toxic to livestock in excessive amounts: always adhere to the maximum proportion of 10% of total weight, weigh it accurately, and NEVER feed it alone or dissolved directly in water—only mixed into the block, whose hardness limits consumption. Introduce the block gradually into the diet and ensure that the animals always have access to clean water. The typical consumption observed is 200 to 400 grams per adult animal per day, as a supplement to forage—never as a substitute for their usual fibrous feed. Do not use it in monogastric animals (pigs, poultry, rabbits, horses): this formula is designed for ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats), whose rumen can safely metabolize urea.

Preparation process

1) If the molasses is too thick, heat the container in a double boiler or leave it in the sun for a while so it flows more easily. 2) In a separate container, dissolve the agricultural urea in the warm molasses, stirring well until it’s smooth. 3) In a large container, mix the bran, mineralized salt, and fibrous filler material. 4) Carefully add the quicklime to this dry mixture, taking care not to inhale the dust (it is irritating to the respiratory tract). 5) Pour the molasses and urea mixture over the dry mixture, and knead until you have a uniform, compact paste. 6) Line the molds (wooden boxes, cut-off buckets, or plastic molds) with a bag or cloth. 7) Fill the molds with the paste and pack it down firmly with a wooden mallet, starting at the edges of the mold and working toward the center to remove air bubbles. 8) Place a weight on top of the mold to finish compacting it. 9) Let it rest for 48 hours in the shade, on paper that absorbs excess moisture. 10) Remove from the molds and let it dry for another 8 days in a well-ventilated area protected from rain, until the block is firm and dry to the touch.

Product obtained

A solid, compact, dark brown block that is easy to handle (does not crumble), which animals can lick or chew on at will for several days or weeks, depending on their consumption.

Source / Reference

Information based on technical livestock sources: “Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Own Multinutritional Blocks” and “The Mathematical Formula for Making Multinutritional Blocks” (CONtexto Ganadero, contextoganadero.com), and “Nutritional Blocks for Livestock: Learn How to Make Them” (zoovetesmipasion.com), which document the standard proportions (molasses ~40%, binder 8–10%, mineral salt 10%, urea up to 10%) and the recommended daily intake (200 to 400 g/animal/day). Always consult

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