A trial was conduced to evaluate the effects of Tifton hay (Cynodon dactylon) supplemented with multinutrient blocks formulated using different molasses levels on digestibility, intake, and blood urea level. Four Hereford steers, one year old, weighing on average 196 kg in the beginning of the experiment, were assigned to a 4 x 4 latin square. The treatments were: Tifton hay and Tifton hay plus supplementation with either 25, 30, 35, and 40% molasses levels in multinutrient blocks. However, to include the treatment without supplementation, data were analyzed in a completely randomized blocks design. Supplementation significantly increased dry matter and organic matter digestibility. There were no differences on dry matter intake between treatments. Supplementation decreased the hay intake, showing a substitution coefficient of .58. Supplementation increased significantly total dry matter, organic matter and crude protein intakes. Although there was no significant difference between the supplemented treatments, digestible organic matter and blood urea increased significantly with supplementation. Another trial was conduced with three Hereford steers fistulated in the rumen to determine the effects of supplementation on rumen pH and N-NH3 levels, using a 3 x 3 latin square design. The treatments were: Tifton hay and Tifton hay plus supplementation with 25 and 30% molasses levels in multinutrient blocks. Supplementation did not affect rumen pH but N-NH3 concentration was significantly higher in treatments with blocks.
multinutritional blocks; intake; digestibility; rumen fermentation patterns
