Becerra Martinez et al., 1990. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 2 (2): 8-14

To evaluate the use of multinutritional blocks two experiments were carried out. In the first experiment the production of the blocks was evaluated. This involved measurement of the time required for solidification and the hardness of the blocks with different ingredients and percentages. It was observed that the first two factors depend on the level of molasses and of lime that are used, when urea is held constant. Maximum and minimum values for molasses were 40 and 20% and for lime, 25 and 10%. The second experiment was set up to measure the levels of consumption of the blocks. In this experiment four adult cows, two Zebu x Holstein and two Zebu x Brown Swiss cows with their calves were used. All these animals were in the same phase of lactation and were managed in the same way. The cows had access to the blocks after milking for three hours per day,for 15 days. Average daily intake was 41±18 g/100 kg liveweight. The inclusion in the block of dry leaves of Gliricidia sepium at up to 40% of the weight of the block provides a low cost of protein.