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Effects of urea-prickly pear-molasses block supplementation on growth and milk production of crossbred goats on arid rangelands

This paper discusses the potential use of feed blocks as supplements for grazing goats under a harsh arid zone of northern Mexico. The study was carried out during fall and winter. A flock of 64 goats was randomly allotted into two groups (equal number of animals and categories of goats) both groups were fed a total mixed ration containing 50% ground corn stover, 40% spineless cladodes of Opuntia spp. and 10% corn grain. Additionally, at night, one group had access to a urea-prickly pear-molasses block supplementation, whereas the other group was not supplemented (Control). The block supplementation increased (P<0.05) litter size (1.3 vs. 1.5), litter weight (4.8 vs. 5.2) and daily milk yield in twin bearing does. Results indicate that providing a block supplementation could ameliorate the depressing effect of scarce forage, with a marked improvement in litter size and weight, as well as an increased milk yield in those goats raising twins.