EFFECT OF COMPOSITIONAL VARIATION IN UREA-MOLASSES-MINERAL BLOCK LICKS ON TEXTURAL PROFILE AND NUTRIENT UTILIZATION

Three types of urea-molasses-mineral blocks (UMMB) were evaluated with respect to compositional variation on textural profile, using uniaxia l double cycled compression simulating mastication technique and anima l performance on 2-3 years old, crossbred cattle (body weight 180-276 kg). All the animals were fed wheat straw as basal roughage without an y supplement (T-1) or with a supplement of UMMB type I (T-2), type II (T-3) and type III (T-4). Significantly higher strain and lower stress in UMMB type I than either type II or III indicated its poor compactn ess. Lessening 5% molasses in UMMB type II and III increased hardness slid decreased adhesiveness compared to UMMB type I. Significant chang es in adhesive force, cohesiveness and gumminess were also observed am ong the 3 types of UMMB. Springiness and chewiness were similar among different block licks. Total DMI of T-2, T-3 and T-4 was higher than T -1. Intake of UMMB type I. II and III in cattle was 415, 496 and 485 g /day, respectively. There was significant increase in digestibility of DM, OM and NFE in T-2, T-3 and T-4 than T-1 but, differences among Fo rmer 3 treatments were nonsignificant. Nitrogen balance was negative i n T-1 and positive in other treatments. Thus, the results indicated th at fixing molasses content al 40% with simultaneous increase in insolu ble ingredients improve consistency for the blocks for better licking. Supplementation of UMMB resulted in increased intake, nutrient digest ibility and nitrogen balances.