Aboud, A.A.O., Kimambo, A.E., Laswai and
Mosby, D.P.K.
Department of Animal Science and Production,
P.O. Box 3004, SUA Morogoro
SUMMARY
Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of molasses urea block (MUB) supplementation on the utilization of poor quality roughages by yearling dairy heifers during the dry season. In
experiment 1, twenty crossbred heifers (11-12 months old) were divided into two treatments (T1 and T2) of 10 animals each. Animals on treatment 1 (T1) were grazed on natural pastures hay only whereas those on treatment 2 (T2) received MUB upon return from grazing. Data on growth rate were recorded over 90 days, weighing being taken once every fortnight. In Experiment 2, ten (11-14 months old) crossbred heifers were used to assess voluntary intake of heifers. The animals were divided into two groups of five each (TI and T2) and stall fed two dietary treatments in a change over design. Total feed intake, MUB intake and hay intake were recorded daily. Initial and final body weights of the animals were also recorded. In Experiment 3. the degradability characteristics of hay, rumen ammonia nitrogen and
pH were measured using 3 fistulated steers fed the two dietary treatments used in Experiment 1.
Supplementation with MUB significantly (P<0.001) reduced intake of hay but increased total dry matter intake (DMI) significantly (P<0.001) . The daily intake of both nitrogen and energy were higher in supplemented than the un-supplemented group. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion efficiency were significantly (P<0.001) higher for the MUB supplemented group than the un-supplemented group. Degradability of hay incubated in the rumen supplemented animals were higher than for the un-supplemented. The mean rumen ammonia concentration was significantly (P<0.001) higher in supplemented than un-supplemented (224.6 vis 53.72 mg n/1 respectively). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in pH levels between the two groups.
It was: concluded that MUR supplementation is a simple way of improving performance of ruminants fed on poor quality roughage during the dry season.
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