SKUAST Journal of Research 24(1): 12-23; (2022) Review Paper

(10.5958/2349-297X.2022.00002.2); NASS rating: 4.17

Use of urea based multinutrient blocks for enhanced performance of

dairy cattle - A Review

P.A. Reshi1*, T. Tabasum2, A.M. Ganai2, H.A. Ahmad2, G.G. Sheikh2, Y.A. Beigh2 and S.A. Haq1
1
Mountain Livestock Research Institute -Manasbal; 2Division of Animal Nutrition,
Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar,
Srinagar- 190 025, Jammu and Kashmir (India)
*
e-mail: parvaiz85@gmail.com

(Received December 8, 2021; accepted February 28, 2022)

ABSTRACT

In India, farmers rely mostly on agro-industrial byproducts, straws, and other

fibrous feeds for livestock feeding, particularly during lean periods. Such
feeds are deficient in energy, minerals, proteins, and vitamins and livestock
reared on such a feeding system suffer from malnutrition, therefore requiring
supplemental feeding and fortification of such low-quality feeds to harvest the
true genetic potential of livestock. Supplementation with Multinutrient Blocks
also called as Urea Molasses Mineral Blocks is considered one of the easiest
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and effective methods of fortification of low-quality roughages. Multinutrient

blocks are lick blocks consisting of urea, molasses, brans, oil cakes, mineral
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mixtures compensating for the lack of adequate nutrients in poor quality

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roughages and therefore a cheap and rich source of nutrients required for
optimum production, growth reproduction, and health. Multinutrient blocks
offer a condensed source of nutrient supplementation to cater to the
nutritional needs of livestock feeding on poor fibrous feeds. The ease of
transportation, storage, and its use coupled with improved performance
production in terms of milk, meat, reproduction along with increased rumen
microbial growth in the rumen and consequent improved digestibility makes
the use of Multinutrient blocks as a preferred source of supplementation in
livestock feeding, particularly during the winter months in Kashmir Valley
when pastures and orchards are dried up and covered with snow and feeding
of animals is confined to sheds using poor quality roughages like paddy straw
and during summers in rest parts of the country when hot weather causes less
growth and availability of green fodder.

Keywords: Agro-industrial byproducts, blocks, malnutrition, molasses,

supplementation, urea.

The world will have to produce 60% more food by 2050 when the human population is expected to reach 9
billion (FAO, 2016). This increased and affordable production of animal protein requires balanced feeding of
animals (IFIF, 2016). The main problem in developing countries is underproduction and varied seasonal
availability of fodder (Sanford et al., 2008), limiting the availability of quality fodder throughout the year. On
the other hand, pastures are not likely to increase in near future due to the continued increase in urbanization and
industrialization (Mahesh et al., 2014). Though population-wise India is no. 1 in the world in cattle population
and as per the 20th livestock census, 2019, the total cattle population of India is 192.49 million including 142.11
million (98.17 million female and 43.94 million male) indigenous and 50.42 million (46.95 million female and
3.46 million males) exotic cattle. However, production-wise, we are far behind. On average, crossbred /exotic
cows produce 7-11 kg milk per day whereas indigenous /non-descript cows produce 2.5 to 3.8 kg milk per day.
The total milk production from cattle in the country is 90.12 metric tons, with a contribution of 50.6925 metric
tons from crossbred/exotic and 39.425 metric tons from indigenous/non-descript cattle. Besides milk
productivity and production, the reproductive performance, growth, and vitality of dairy cattle under Indian
conditions as compared with that of developed countries show dismal results for varied reasons with poor
feeding being the predominant one.
For livestock feeding, we rely mostly on agro-industrial byproducts, straws, and other fibrous feeds, and
such feeds are deficient in energy, minerals, proteins, and vitamins. Livestock reared on such a feeding system
suffer malnutrition, therefore, requiring supplemental feeding and fortification of the low-quality feeds to
 P.A. Reshi et al. 13

harvest the true genetic potential of livestock. Urea molasses mineral blocks (UMMBs) also called multi-
nutrient block provide an effective solution to the problem by increasing the production and reproductive
performances of animals and is considered one of the easiest and effective methods of fortification of low-
quality roughage (Jayawickrama et al., 2013). UMMBs are actually lick blocks containing urea, molasses,
vitamins, minerals, and other multi nutrients prepared for ruminant feeding for improved production (Bohra et
al., 2012). UMMB feeding increases feed intake by 25-30% and digestibility by 20% (Yami et al., 2007).
Combined feeding of UMMB with low-quality fibrous feed is a very economical method of increasing the
production of animals (Jayawickrama et al., 2013).

Preparation and formulation of UMMBs: The first systematic trial on the use of blocks was conducted in
South Africa in the 1960s (Sansousy and Hassoun, 2003). However, the use of blocks has been recorded as early
as 1930s. Availability of locally available ingredients and their cost needs to be considered while formulating
UMMBs (Makkar et al., 2007). Ingredients used in the formation of UMMBs include urea, brans (rice, wheat,
maize), molasses, oilseed meal, cakes (coconut, groundnut, soybean, cottonseed, olive), agro-industrial by-
products and miscellaneous non-conventional feeds (poultry manure, slaughterhouse offal, bagasse), cement,
lime, salt and or minerals (Herrera et al., 2007). Urea is a non-conventional source of non-protein nitrogen. In
India it has been fed to animals as UROMOL (Chopra et al., 1974), Urea molasses liquid supplement (Kaur et
al., 1993), and urea treated straw (Bakshi et al., 1986). However, the cost-benefit ratio of such feeding practices
was less compared to UMMBs. Urea feeding in UMMB does not have disadvantages as that of other methods
of feeding urea to ruminants. Urea in UMMB formulations is fertilizer grade urea, which is used in agriculture
and horticulture fields. Urea is hygroscopic so it forms lumps in sacks. These lumps need to be broken before
incorporation in UMMBs, so that homogenous mixing of urea may prevent animals from over-ingestion and
hence the resultant toxicities. Soon after consumption, urea gets converted to ammonia and carbon dioxide in
the animal body. Ammonia is ultimately converted to microbial protein (FAO, 2007) or it is detoxified and
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excreted in the urine. Microbial protein is in turn digested by an animal using digestive enzymes and amino
acids liberated thereby are used in maintenance and production by the animals (Upadhyay et al., 2018). Urea
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contains 46% nitrogen has therefore 288% crude protein. When urea is fed as such to an animal, it is
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inefficiently used, therefore, slow usage of urea is practicable with a simultaneous supply of carbohydrate
sources (Patil et al., 2017). Molasses is a byproduct of the sugar industry. It provides readily fermentable
carbohydrates and thereby increases rumen microflora. Molasses along with minerals increase the palatability of
UMMBs by their pleasant smell and sweet taste (Upadhyay et al., 2018). Usage of molasses does not compete
with human nutrition, therefore, is viable to use (IAEA). Besides providing energy, molasses is also a good
source of minerals like sulphur, calcium, and vitamins (B-complex) (IAEA, Upadhyay et al., 2018). Consistency
of urea molasses mineral block plays a vital role in process of solidifying the blocks which depend on the
content of sugar. Therefore, molasses should not be diluted with water for ease of handling. The amount of
sugar in the molasses is expressed as the BRIX value. For proper solidification, BRIX value should be greater
than 80. Brix value is checked by a small pocket refractometer. The level of molasses in UMMBs varies from
30-45 % (FAO, 2007). Increasing the rate of carbohydrate fermentation could result in a more effective capture
of rumen degradable protein and an improved supply of metabolizable protein to dairy animals (Patil et al.,
2017).

Table 1: Comparative proximate composition of UMMB and rice straw fed to dairy cows:
Attribute UMMB Rice straw
Dry matter 84.70 91.90
Crude protein 27.79 4.40
Ether extract 2.51 0.95
Ash 3.95 31.62
(Jayawickrama et al., 2013)
Binders in UMMBs include sodium bentonite, Portland cement or quicklime, calcium oxide, magnesium
oxide, which can be used for block setting and hardening. Cement up to 3% has been used in research trials
without any side effects (Aarts et al., 2016). Cement needs to be mixed with water and salt before incorporation
in molasses as water in molasses is not available to cement and adding salt accelerates the hardening of block.
Cement is also a source of minerals as it contains 25% calcium, 21.5ppm iron, 1790 ppm manganese, 130 ppm
magnesium (Mohammad et al., 2007). Sodium bentonite is used as a binder in the hot process @ 1% and
calcium oxide is used as a gelling agent in case of the warm process @ 10% (Sansoucy et al., 2016). Another
important component of UMMBs is mineral mixture (preferably area specified) that is added to UMMBs to
enrich it with different macro (Ca, P & Mg) and micro (Zn, Cu, and Fe) minerals. Calcium is also supplied by
molasses, gelling agent (cement). Common salt, being inexpensive is added to block for balancing deficiency in
the diet. Salt also acts as the source of sodium and also acts as a preservative (Ben Salem et al., 2007).
 14 Urea based multinutrient blocks for enhanced performance of dairy cattle: A review

Phosphorus is usually added only when the animal is a high producer. Brans (wheat /rice) act as absorbent and
serves as the source of phosphorus. It can be replaced with bagasse, ground straw, peanut hulls (Makkar, 2001).
Rice and wheat bran serve multiple purposes like supplying fat, protein, acting as absorbents, and providing
structure to the block (Upadhyay et al., 2018). If the animal is a medium to high producer (10-13 l/d) or is
pregnant or has a high growth rate, then bypass proteins are needed to meet the high demand of the animal
(Nimal et al., 2007). Bypass proteins can be supplied as fish meal @ 50-100g/day, protein meal (cottonseed
meal, solvent extracted groundnut cake).
In India, the multi-nutrient block was first produced by the National dairy development board (NDDB) in
1983. There UMMB were produced by the hot process but due to less cost-benefit ratio, the cold process was
subsequently developed and adopted afterward. Blocks tend to become soft when more urea and molasses are
added and they tend to become hard when more binder and bran are added. Conventionally quick lime as a
binder has more efficiency in hardening the block as compared to cement.
Hot process: Urea (10%) and molasses (60%) are heated to 130°C. Then ingredients are added and mixed.
(Garg, 1998). The content is then brought to a temperature of 70°C then allowed to cool slowly. A double
jacketed vat is used for cooking the ingredients. Blocks are made using a hydraulic press. The disadvantage of
making blocks using a hot process is that it uses a lot of energy in heating molasses. Labour requirement was
also high and the blocks formed couldn’t be weighed. Moreover, the blocks were highly hygroscopic and the
block would form a liquid mass in 60% humidity.
Warm process: Molasses (55%) is heated to a temperature of 40-45°C and urea without water (7.5%) is added
to it (Choo et al., 1985). Common salt (5%) and bran (22.5%) are added to them. Here calcium oxide (10%) is
used as a gelling agent. The time required for setting is less and the block formed is not hygroscopic.
Cold process: Molasses and urea are mixed and kept overnight. Other ingredients are added in the following
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order- Molasses (50%), urea (10%), salt (5%), calcium oxide (10%), and Bran (25%). A horizontal paddle mixer
with a double-axis is used to mix the contents. The semisolid mixture of UMMB is put in an iron frame and
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allowed to harden (Khan, et al., 2007). The product formed in the cold process is somewhat hygroscopic and
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requires more time to get hardened. The acceptability of blocks was reduced when ph of the block was high
(10.5-11.5). Using citric acid, tartaric acid, boric acid, ph was reduced to 8.5, and acceptability was increased.
When ph was reduced using phosphoric acid at greater than 2% concentration, it made blocks soft and
eventually leads to over ingestion of UMMB (Garg et al., 1998). To produce blocks of sufficient hardness, lime
was used as a gelling agent in the cold process but the palatability of such blocks was less because of the bitter
taste. To improve palatability, lime was used with magnesium oxide and a buffering agent to reduce ph and
consequently palatability (Garg et al., 2011). Calcium oxide is also used as a gelling agent for formulating
UMMB. It shows two reactions with molasses one is the reaction with free water present in molasses and second
one is the reaction with a carboxylic acid group of organic acids which is responsible for the binding property of
calcium oxide.

Table 2: Composition of Urea based multinutrient block

Ingredients Percentage in hot process Percentage in cold process
Urea 15 6
Molasses 45 45
Mineral mixture 10 6
Calcite powder 8 -
Sodium bentonite 3 -
Cottonseed meal 15 -
De-oiled rice bran - 14
Common salt 4
Rice pollard - 13
Magnesium oxide - 2
(Harinder et al., 2007)
Steps to produce urea based multinutrient blocks: Manufacture of Multinutrient blocks can take place on
farms depending on the availability of manpower, ingredients, skill, etc. The manufacturing can be divided into
the following five steps:
1. Preparation of components: Different ingredients are weighed depending on the formula to be adopted.

2. Mixing: Urea must be mixed properly by breaking lumps completely. Urea should be added to molasses
while continuously stirring. For easy handling of molasses, it needs to be kept under the sun for some time
 P.A. Reshi et al. 15

(Yenesew et al., 2015). Water should not be added to molasses. A paste of cement should be prepared before
adding it to the urea molasses mixture. Adding salt to cement improves the hardness of block. For large-scale
production (150 blocks per day), Concrete mixers are used. The speed of rotation of mixers should be kept
low so that molasses don’t stick to the mixer (Makkar et al., 2007).

3. Moulding: Properly mixed ingredients may be put in moulds of different shapes and sizes depending on the
block weight required. There are many types of moulds like wooden mould, PVC tube mould, mould made of
metal sheets, mould using wooden bars, mould using tin cans. Blocks can also be made mechanically. Force
is applied over the filled mould mechanically by using the pneumatically controlled rotary pressing device or
by using a wooden bar (Yami et al., 2007). Moulds are necessary to set blocks in the required shape (Sharma
et al., 2010). Using plastic sheet to line the mould will make block removal easier.
4. Drying: Blocks are removed from moulds usually after 24 hrs depending on weather conditions. Blocks
should not be kept under direct sunlight. These should be kept in shade and protected from rain. Blocks are
allowed to dry for about 5 days (Yami et al., 2007).
5. Packaging of Blocks: Since blocks contain urea and salt they absorb moisture from the atmosphere,
therefore, need to be packed in moisture-proof packaging. The packaging can be made of polythene sheet,
multifilm, aluminum foil, and high molecular weight high density (HMHD) sheet. HMHD bags are mostly
used due to their affordable price, durability, and impermeability.

EQUIPMENT AND MACHINES USED IN UMMB FORMATION:

FAO: Rome, Italy (2007) recommends the following machinery for UMMB formation: Stationary Animal Feed:
Block formation machine: Machines usually make blocks of size 20x20cm using crop residues. These machines
use a 25hp electric motor with a capacity of 250kg/hour. It has a hydraulic ram and cylinder system for
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compaction of block which is integrated with a hydraulic power pack. This machine is also available in
125kg/hour capacity with a block size of 10x10 cm.
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1. Mobile Feed Block Machine: These machines make 15x15 cm blocks; powered by a 6.5 hp diesel engine
with a capacity of 100-125kg/hour. It has a hydraulic cylinder and power pack for compaction of biomass
for obtaining desired density of the block. It can be mounted on a wheeled trolley 3m x1.5m for transporting
machines for onsite use.

2. Extruder: Extrusion is the process to frame objects of specific dimensions by pushing through a die of
desired dimensions. Blocks formed using an extruder have an excellent surface finish and required density.
Using extruders speeds up the gelling process. Screw-type extruders are mostly used in UMMB formulation.
The disadvantages of using an extruder are that it increases electricity requirement per block and also
increases production time.

3. Concrete mixer: Concrete mixers speed up the mixing time but molasses stick to the walls of the mixer and
result in inefficient mixing. Therefore, the speed of mixer should be kept low.

4. Wooden dispenser: The animals in developing countries are mostly suffering from pica and other
deficiency diseases. They tend to eat excess UMMB when given free access to it, especially during the
adaptation period. This can lead to urea toxicity. To avoid this problem, scientists developed a wooden
dispenser that will facilitate licking of the block, avoiding overfeeding. A wooden dispenser along with
UMMB can be kept in front of the animal or fixed on the wall of the manger for easy access to the animal.

5. Urea Molasses Mineral Block Machine: UMMB machine consists of a hydraulic cylinder, power pack, and
feeding chamber to prepare urea molasses block for supplementation of feed. The main principle involved in
the invention is moulding of a thick paste of formulated proportions of different ingredients by applying
pressure on the mould using hydraulic power. Advantages of this machine are that it can be run by one
person (semi skilled /unskilled). Blocks formed are of desired shape (rectangular 22.5cm ×4.5cm), thickness,
and weight. The output capacity of the machine is 150kg per hour. Plate 1 of UMMB machine uses one hp
power and consists of:
a) Moulding box: It is used for feeding of materials, compression, and moulding using the upward
movement of a hydraulic cylinder.
b) Hydraulic cylinder: It is used for compression and moulding of the block.
 16 Urea based multinutrient blocks for enhanced performance of dairy cattle: A review

c) Powerpack: The operation of hydraulic cylinder is controlled by a power pack which consists of the
lever (manually operated), oil reservoir, pressure gauge. Direction of movement of cylinders is
governed by the lever.

FACTORS AFFECTING INTAKE OF MULTI-NUTRIENT BLOCKS:

1. Hardness of the Block: Soft blocks are rapidly consumed whereas intake is less in the case of hard blocks.
2. Urea content of blocks: High level of urea reduces intake of the block as well as straw because urea is
unpalatable (Fouly et al., 1986).
3. Inanition or imbalance of minerals: Abnormal conditions like pica leads to overconsumption of block
which may cause urea poisoning.
4. Physiological stage of an animal: Lactating animals, growing animals, and pregnant animals having more
nutritional requirements may consume more.
5. Method of dispensing UMMB: In crushed form, an animal may consume more. Over drying and hardening
limits consumption.
6. Extent of availability of UMMB: More the time of licking given more of the material will be consumed.

PRECAUTIONS TO BE FOLLOWED WHILE FEEDING MULTI-NUTRIENT BLOCKS:

1. Blocks should be fed only as lick and not in ground form or dissolved form (Yami et al., 2007) as licking
causes a slow release of nutrients (Upadhyay et al., 2018).
2. Feed UMMB to ruminants only and not to monogastric animals and young ruminants less than 6 months of
age (Amir et al., 2021)
3. Blocks should only supplement the basal diet. It should never replace the basal diet (Yami et al., 2007).
Green grass @1/4 of total dry matter offered to animals and concentrate @1% body weight was supplied
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(Upadhyay et al., 2018)

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4. Cattle may consume 500 -800 g UMMB per day (Upadhyay et al., 2018).
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5. Water should be provided on an ad-lib basis as UMMB feeding increases water requirement (Sharma et al.,
2013).
6. Water should not be sprayed over the block to avoid softening leading to overfeeding and poisoning.
7. The adaptation period of Urea based Multinutient blocks consumption is generally two weeks with large
diurnal variation (FAOb, 2007). An easy way to restrict intake during adaptation period is by allowing a
specific time period for which UMMB is accessible to animal i.e, 1 hour per day during the first 3-4 days
(provides 200g for cattle), followed by 3 hours per day for next 4-6 days (provides 400g) followed by 3
hours per day for next 2-3 days. Thereafter blocks are added on an ad-lib basis (Makkar et al., 2007).

ADVANTAGES OF FEEDING MULTI-NUTRIENT BLOCKS:

1. Effect on dry matter intake and digestibility: Fibrous feeds have poor digestibility because of their coarse
size by which it is unable to pass through reticulo ruminal orifice. Supplementation of UMMB increases
nitrogen and energy content which increases the utilization of crop residues by increasing their fermentation
(Brar et. al., 2003). With UMMB feeding, the digestibility of straw increased by 30-50% (Mengistu et al.,
2017). Digestibility of organic matter increased from 45.22% to 53% and dry matter digestibility increased
from 44 to 50% (Herrera et al., 2007).

2. Dry matter intake (DMI): High levels of urea, molasses salt increased the palatability of feed (Erfle et al.,
1978). Dry matter and crude protein intake increased from 2.93 to 3.96 kg and 97 to 274 g per animal per
day (Bohra et al., 2012). Digestibility of ADF and NDF increased from 37.4% to 41.3% and 42.6 to 51.8%
respectively. Straw intake increased by 0.15 kg per animal per day (Kerketta et al., 2017).
Feed efficiency was high with Multinutrient mineral block feeding. The amount of feed required per kg
gain of body weight decreased from 2.97 to 2.87 (0.5% urea added) and to 2.58% (1.0% urea added) (Barque
et al., 2008)

3. Effect on weight gain: Urea molasses is important for fattening cattle as it supplies NPN, energy, vitamins,
and minerals to the growing animal. The encouraging significant positive effect on rumen microbial growth,
feed intake, digestibility, live weight gain, and growth rate justifies the need for the use of the multi-nutrient
blocks as supplements for cattle, sheep, and goats (Mengistul and Hassen, 2018). In another experiment, the
experimental group gained 280g more weight than the control group (Haili et al., 2017). Similarly, it was
shown that height increased by about 4 cm, height at the hip increased by about 3.5cm, heart girth by about
6cm, hip-width was increased by about 1.5 cm. In a similar experiment (Yanuartono et al., 2018) an increase
of 9.5 kg in the experimental group and 8.2 kg in the control group after 4 weeks of experimental period in
Ongole cattle was observed. However, many other researchers concluded that there was no significant
 P.A. Reshi et al. 17

difference in weight gain in cattle due to UMMB supplementation (Nurwahidah et al., 2016; Suharyano,
2014). Body condition scores recorded in cows (3.0) fed UMMB was higher than the control group (2.79),
but this difference was non-significant (Akhter et al., 2004). More weight gain (4.22%) was recorded in
cows fed Medicated UMMB, followed by animals fed UMMB containing 21% urea (4.13%), followed by
animals being fed with UMMB containing 7% urea (Rafiq et al., 2000).

Table 3: Average of increase Daily live weight gain (kg/head/day)

Experimental animals Control group UMMB

Bali cattle 0.28 0.62
Ongole crossbred 0.35 0.65
HF crossbred 0.63 0.99
(Kaswarjono et al., 2018)
4. Effect on rumen microbes: Total bacteria, viable bacteria, and protozoa showed an increase in their
concentration after 3hrs of UMMB feeding (Singh et al., 2013). The same researcher also reported an
increase in ruminal pH, concentration of total volatile fatty acids, molar concentration of propionic acid, and
total nitrogen, however, the concentration of acetic acid and butyric acid significantly got decreased.

Table 4: Total bacterial count before and after feeding UMMB

Parameter 0 hour before feeding UMMB 3 hours after feeding UMMB
9
Total bacterial count (x10 ) 9.92 13.83
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Viable Bacterial Count (x109) 15.67 19.33

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Total Protozoal count (x109) 1.82 2.93

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(Singh et al., 2013)

5. Effect on milk production: Many on-farm and field trials have been conducted to come up with the effect
of UMMB feeding on milk production in cattle. Results shown under different experiments are as follows:
 Milk yield per day was estimated to be 4.7L and 6.0L per day in control group and UMMB group
respectively (Ramesh et al., 2009; Lawania et al., 2017).
 Milk yield also varied with level of urea in block. Milk yield was reported to be 1.82 l/d when block
containing 7% urea was incorporated in the ration, whereas milk yield of 2.1 l/d was reported when block
containing 21% urea was fed to animals (Rafiq et al., 2000).
 Milk urea change of cows fed UMMB containing 21% urea was 40.6% and in cows fed block containing
7% urea was 35.4%. No change in milk urea level was reported in control group (Rafiq et al., 2000).
 Quality of milk was also supplemented by UMMB feeding which was shown by an increase in
lactometer reading from 28.20 to 30.30 (Lawania et al., 2017) and an increase in fat and SNF content
(Ramesh et al., 2009; Lawania et al., 2017).
Table 5: Efficacy of UMMB on yield and composition of milk
PARAMETER Control group Group fed UMMB
Initial body weight(kg) 350 352
Final body weight(kg) 363 376
Body weight gain 13 24
Initial milk yield(l/d) 4.5 4.6
Final milk yield (l/d) 4.70 6.00
4% FCM yield(l/d) 4.03 5.40
Lactometer reading 28 30
Fat 2.9 3.31
SNF 7.80 9.02
Total ash 10.7 12.3
(Lawania et al., 2017)
 18 Urea based multinutrient blocks for enhanced performance of dairy cattle: A review

6. Effect on reproduction: Profitable dairy farming is based on efficient reproductive performance. Delayed
estrous activity after parturition and anestrous leads to an abnormally long intercalving period leading to
economic loss. (Mengistu et al., 2017). The birth weight of calves born from cows fed with UMMB was
significantly higher than the control group (Aye et al., 2010; Maih et al., 2000).

Table 6: Fertility measurements before and after UMMB supplementation

Fertility measurements Before UMMB After UMMB
supplementation supplementation
Calving to ist service interval (days) 77 65
Calving to conception interval (days open) 127 92
Calving interval (days) 405 365
Number of inseminations per conception* 1.93 1.62
Conception rate (%)* 53 73
(Hermsillo, 2014, Gupta* et al., 2018)
7. Effect on biochemical parameters: Blood serum showed significant increase in enzymes like
ceruloplasmin, Glutathione Peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, alkaline phosphatase; LDH: lactic
dehydrogenase (Hailili et al, 2017). In addition to this in the same study, minerals concentration in blood
was also significantly higher after UMMB feeding. Total nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen and urea nitrogen were
significantly higher in animals fed UMMB than in the control group (Garg et al., 1991). Moreover,
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hemoglobin content, Total erythrocyte count, and Total leukocyte count also got significantly raised in
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animals fed UMMB (Kerketta et. al., 2018)

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Table 7: Biochemical parameters of bullock supplemented with UMMB and control group
Parameter Control group UMMB Control group UMMB
Before the supplemented after experiment supplemented
experiment group before the group after
experiment experiment
Total serum protein g/dl 8.4 8.2 9.6 10.7
Serum albumin g/dl 3.2 3.2 3.7 4.2
Serum globulin g/dl 4.5 5.0 5.7 6.8
Blood urea nitrogen mg/dl 23.0 21.6 28.7 38.8
Serum glucose mg/dl 38.0 37.8 46.8 63.2
Serum calcium mg/dl 9.8 9.3 10.7 11.2
Serum phosphorus mg/dl 4.5 4.5 5.8 6.5
(Kerketta et al., 2017)
In the above table, although serum glucose increased in both the groups, but difference was significant only in
group fed with UMMB. However, the increase in blood urea nitrogen did not show up any signs of toxicity
(Kerketta et al, 2017).
8. Cost benefit analysis: Cost benefit is ratio of total revenue to total cost. Many trials have been conducted to
check animal responses and cost benefit ratio on feeding urea multi-nutrient blocks was higher in the
supplemented group of cattle (Misra and Reddy, 2004). Results showed that 30- 40 % concentrate allowance
could be reduced by feeding UMMB (Singh and Singh, 2003). Cost benefit ratio of over Rs 10/day/cow was
recorded in a mixed farming system upon feeding of UMMB (Mishra et al., 2006). Total revenue of UMMB
treated household was 24.5% more as compared to the control group.

CONSTRAINTS OF UMMB PRODUCTION AND ADOPTION BY FARMERS:

a) Local feeding practices and awareness: It is difficult for a farmer to start a new feeding practice and
stop an old local feeding practice even after becoming fully aware about benefits of such UMMB
feeding. Lack of awareness is the major hurdle in the adoption of the practice.
 P.A. Reshi et al. 19

b) Unavailability of all the ingredients used in Multinutrient block production: Sometimes, a shortage
of the ingredients discourages farmers to make the blocks and hence limits the adoption of the practice.
c) Lack of extension education and business mindset of farmers: Despite a proven nutritional
technology, still there is a gap between the transfer of technology from lab to land and an impediment in
adoption of the practice.
d) Storage problems: Since the blocks are hygroscopic, therefore, storage may cause moisture damage.
Further being sugary, damage by rodents etc cause the material to damage.
e) Apprehension of urea toxicity due to over ingestion of UMMB: while communicating Dos and Don’ts
by scientists, experts and field workers, farmers become over cautious and apprehensive of urea toxicity
and avoid the adoption of the practice.

WAY FORWARD:
 There is need to popularize a specially designed feeder which will prevent over ingestion of UMMB.
 Farmers, milk producers, dairy cooperatives and dairy entrepreneurs need to be properly educated about
benefits of UMMB using mass media, awareness programs and pamphlets.
 Production of UMMB need to be linked to markets so that manufacturers (farmers etc) could sell their
produce also.
 On farm trials (OFTs) and front line demonstrations (FLDs) need to be arranged by KVKs, Research
trials at the farmers level for maximum adoption of the technology.
 Fortification of the Urea based multinutrient blocks needs to be done to increase its impact on
production, growth, and reproduction.

OTHER DIMENSIONS IN UMMB SUPPLEMENTATION:

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1. Dressing percentage, grizzle percentage and acceptability of cooked meat: Dressing percentage of
carcass was less when urea was fed @ 2.5%, whereas it was normal when urea upto 2% was added in
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UMMB in buffaloes. Grizzles percentage was higher when urea was fed at levels equal to or more than
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3%. Acceptability of cooked meat from UMMB fed animals decreased when urea was fed greater than
2.5% (Barque et al., 2008).
2. Methane mitigation: The amount of methane produced by animals fed with supplementary UMMB
was less than control group because of high digestibility. Methane was estimated by gas
chromatography. The proportion of methane in rumen was found to be 18% in the control group and 6%
in UMMB supplemented group (Upreti et al., 2018).
3. Curative effects: UMMB acts as a curative treatment for PICA .pica symptoms got disappeared after 15
days of UMMB feeding. Coat of animals became bright and shiny after UMMB feeding (Haili et al.,
2017).
4. Medicated blocks: Parasitism in ruminants causes significant loss in production as parasites compete
negatively with nutrition of animal causing mortality, reduced milk production, decreased weight gain
and reproductive efficiency. Heavy parasitic load and poor quality forage limit the ability of animals to
produce upto the level of their innate potential. There was a need to develop self-medication device
which will keep on adding low level of anthelminthic in the body. The first trial regarding incorporation
of antiparasitic drug in UMMB was started by NDDB and common wealth scientific and industrial
research organization (CSIRO) under patronage of Australian Centre for International Agricultural
Research (ACIAR).
Fenbendazole (FBZ) is mostly used as anti-nematodal drug. Advantages of using fenbendazole are given as
follows:
 It is stable in blocks.
 It doesn’t require milk withholding period.
 Its safety index is high, therefore, low chances of toxicity.
 FBZ is not a patented drug, so can be easily procured in bulk from market.
 This drug follows zero-order kinetics in the body, so concentration remains high in the blood even when
its supply is stopped.
Daily average milk production during the experimental period in case of animals fed medicated UMMB
(fenbendazole 0.4g/kg block) was 2.3 litres/day whereas daily milk yield of control group was 1.5 litres/day.
Daily live weight gain in animals fed Medicated UMMB was 52.08gms/day as compared to control group with a
daily gain of 1.4gms/day (Rafiq et al., 2000).
 20 Urea based multinutrient blocks for enhanced performance of dairy cattle: A review

The blocks containing albendazole, fenbendazole and levamisol were 90% effective in controlling faecal
egg counts. Effective worm control decreased mortality to zero and increased reproduction rate by 300%. Eggs
per gram were counted by Rafiq et al., (2004) revealed that using MUMMB containing 0.3g fenbendazole/Kg
block showed a reduction of EPG from 976 to 70 and with MUMMB containing 0.4g/kg block reduced EPG
from 958 to 102 (Rafiq et al., 2004). A combination of the anthelminthic and nutrient supplement was helpful in
eliminating T. vitalorum during calving season, decreased mortality and morbidity of calves, improved
nutritional status of lactating cows (Olmo et al,.2019). Moreover, the cost-benefit ratio of using medicated
blocks was 1:1.3 to 1:7.8 and it increased farmers income per animal by 33- 45 % (Makkar et al., 2006). For
controlling immature and mature fasciolosis, animals were fed MUMMB containing triclabendazole.

Incorporation of Locally Available Herbs in Ummb: Herbal preparations show a varied effect on animal
body. They can act as ecbolic, anticoagulant, antiparasitic agent and as healant for ulcers. Examples include
Pineapple leaves, Mimordica, Curcuma, Stellaria, Anona, Kenaf and Neem. These herbal preparations are used
as anthelmintic, reducing faecal egg count from 44-90% (Makkar et al., 2006).
The digestibility of all nutrients except ether extract in peppermint (Mentha Piperita L) were
significantly lower in the experimental group than control group. In dairy cows, feeding of peppermint resulted
in negative energy balance than that of control. However, methane production got decreased without any change
in rumen fermentation (Hosoda et al., 2005) so there is no scope of incorporating peppermint in UMMB.
Mentha arvensis contains alkaloids polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides, and diterpenes.
Tannins showed anti-inflammatory activity and flavonoids demonstrated anti-allergic activity on animal tissues
(Malik et al., 2012).
Urtica dioca (stinging nettle) is a perennial plant belonging to family Urticaceae, genus Urtica. Use of
Urtica has been reported in folk veterinary medicine in Switzerland, Italy, Spain and Austria (Disler et al.,
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2014). U. dioca tips were fed to animals as decoction after calving (Viegi et al., 2003). Moreover, it was also
believed that Urtica improves fertility and provides trace minerals to pregnant and lactating cattle (Lans et al.,
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2007). It diminishes oxidative stress and makes cells resistant to damage by reactive oxygen species. Post
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slaughter traits and microstructure of muscles got improved upon feeding of nettle in case of rabbit (Palka et al.,
2021). Therefore, use of Urtica in UMMB can prove beneficial to animal health. Tree leaves could also be
incorporated in UMMB for the supply of nutrients.

Importance and Application of Urea Based Multi-Nutrient Blocks in Kashmir: Livestock is an important
source of supplementary income for farmers and livelihood of farmers. Most of the cattle in Kashmir are non-
descript, cross bred with mainly exotic blood of Jersey and Holstein freisen. Fodder scarcity in Kashmir Valley
is aggrieved during late autumn and winter. Therefore, winter feeding management is a crucial factor in
animal’s productive and reproductive life. During winters as the greenery disappears and the animals are
confined to sheds under intensive rice straw-based feeding, UMMB supplementation is the cheapest, easiest and
the best way to supplement the straw based diet with deficient nutrients. Till date the practice of UMMB
supplementation is in vogue in only the research stations and needs to be taken to the farmer’s field by the
development department and the Research stations in collaboration with KVKs to safeguard the health and
production in animals. Urea based multinutrient block supplementation would ensure less drop in production
and maintenance of healthy herd by the farmers that otherwise loose body condition, health and production
during the harsh winters in Kashmir.

CONCLUSION

Feeding of UMMB to cattle is an effective tool for making an economically viable dairy sector. The cost benefit
ratio is high due to locally available ingredients at reasonable price. The ingredients used for UMMB production
should not compete with human food. Multinutrient block feeding creates favourable environment in the gut,
which increases digestibility of low quality fibrous fodders. Multinutrient block feeding increases milk yield,
dry matter intake, fertility, body condition of newborn calf. Despite all these benefits, need of hour is to diffuse
such technology from lab to land which can bring socio economic transformation in rural and urban societies.
Moreover, farmers should be trained to properly produce UMMB blocks and the correct way of feeding that to
animals so that positive results will encourage other fellow farmers to adopt the technology.

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