| 摘要 |
SOLID ANIMAL FEED SUPPLEMENT AND METHOD FOR ITS PRODUCTION An acidic molasses-based liquid animal feed supplement including nutritionally appropriate phosphorus and magnesium and, optionally, non-protein nitrogen, is hardened into a solid form by the addition of a small amount of a soluble calcium compound, preferably calcium chloride, so that the calcium to magnesium weight ratio is between about 1.5 and 3. The disclosed solid animal feed supplement is sufficiently palatable to permit its free choice feeding, yet discourages overfeeding by its hardness and acidity. The block contains sufficient molasses to help meet the energy requirements for maintenance and weight gain of grazing animals, but is sufficiently low in pH to minimize the risk of ammonia poisoning due to breakdown of non-protein nitrogen sources to free ammonia during rumination. The solid animal feed supplement is prepared by mixing together two substantially homogeneous liquid solutions, either or both of which contain molasses, but with one containing the soluble calcium compound and one containing the phosphorus compound, usually in the form of orthophosphate, to provide a liquid mixture having an acid pH, preferably in the range below about 4.0 pH units. In situ reaction of the magnesium, phosphorus and calcium compounds within this pH range quickly hardens the solution into a solid molasses block having a hardness of 80 or less in 0.1 millimeter penetrometer units. |
