Evaluation of the Physical Characteristics of Complete Feed Blocks Containing Different Binders

Background: Binders play on important role in providing compactness and hardness to the complete feed block (CFB). Hardness of the block is also important to increase the durability of the block. In this view, the present comprehensive study is being taken up to evaluate the effect of different binders on the physical characteristics of the complete feed blocks. Methods: The complete feed is formulated to contain 10.5% CP and 55% TDN based on ICAR-2013 requirements. Feed blocks were prepared with sorghum stover (Roughage to concentrate ratio 50:50) using different binders such as molasses (M), guar meal (GM) and condensed distillery soluble (CDS) at different levels @ 6%, 8% and 10%. The complete feed mixtures were densified into blocks in horizontal feed block-making machine at 1500 psi for a dwell time of one minute. The feed blocks were stored for 48 hr to dry and evaluated for the physical and drying characteristics. Result: The bulk density and durability was higher (P less than 0.001) in M-8, M-10 and GM-10 feed blocks. The GM-8 blocks had higher bulk density (P less than 0.001) but less durable (P less than 0.001) than the other feed blocks. Durability and bulk density of GM-10 and M-10 blocks were comparable with M-8 feed blocks but the PCE of GM-10 and M-10 blocks was 11.61 and 10.75% higher than the M-8 blocks, respectively. CDS when included at 6, 8 or 10% as a binder, the blocks could not be prepared. Based on these results it was concluded that molasses at 8% is best for preparation of the CFBs.

PSIX-31 The mineral profile of GuarPro F-81, a potential protein source for swine and other livestock in the United States

High feed cost is a major economic concern in animal production industries, largely due to the increasing global demands for foods, feeds, and biofuels. Animal producers, especially animal nutritionists, have been searching for alternative feedstuffs to reduce the feed cost. Guar meal is the main by-product from the guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoba L.) gum industry. Although said to be unpalatable and maybe toxic, the new guar meal products, such as GuarPro F-81, possess promise to be alternatives for feeding animals, mainly because they contain great amounts of protein and carbohydrates and are inexpensive. The proximate nutrient values and amino acid profile of GuarPro F-81 have been previously reported, and this study was conducted to test the hypothesis that the mineral contents of GuarPro F-81 are comparable to that of soybean meal. Three GuarPro F-81 samples were randomly collected from a guar meal production company in India and aliquoted to 30 to 100 g/sample after arrival for analysis in four university and commercial laboratories. The results showed that GuarPro F-81 contained (as-fed basis; mean ± SD, n = 4) 0.22 ± 0.015% calcium, 0.77 ± 0.022% phosphorus, 0.40 ± 0.023% magnesium, 1.67 ± 0.079% potassium, 0.016 ± 0.012% sodium, 249 ± 42.8 ppm iron, 21.3 ± 1.78 ppm manganese, 72.8 ± 9.00 ppm zinc, and 11.5 ± 7.25 ppm copper. The sulfur content was 0.54 ± 0.177% (n = 2) and the nickel content was 5.30% (n = 1). When compared with soybean meal (dehulled, solvent extracted), the contents of iron, magnesium, zinc, sulfur, and phosphorus in GuarPro F-81 are approximately 154, 50, 49, 34, and 8% greater, respectively, while the contents of copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, and sodium are approximately 24, 25, 34, 40, and 80% less, respectively. Nonetheless, the bioavailabilities of these minerals warrant further investigation.