By Dr Jolly Kabirizi
Using lick blocks is a popular way of supplying protein to cattle. Blocks are easy to use and with plentiful supplies of dry feed can be effective.
Commercial protein blocks are expensive and other, cheaper alternatives are available.
It may be cheaper and more effective to feed small amounts of high-quality protein supplements directly to cattle.
Home-made protein blocks use urea and protein meal to supply rumen protein to the animal.
Urea blocks need to be introduced so that cattle gradually increase their urea intake.
Start with 2% blocks at first, then introduce 5% and eventually 10% urea mix blocks after several weeks. Carefully weigh all ingredients, mix them thoroughly with a cement mixer and pour into moulds.
Basic mixes
| High molasses content | ||
| Ingredient | Proportion by weight | Mixing order |
| Hot water | 0 | |
| Molasses (heated) | 40% | 1 |
| Urea | 0–10% | 2 |
| Salt | 5–10% | 3 |
| Phosphorus source | 2% | 3 |
| Protein meal | 30–40% | 4 |
| Cement | 10–15% | 5 |
Dr Jolly Kabirizi is a Livestock consultant/dairy farmer/Forage agronomist.
