Hamed Kioumarsi stated that Gastrointestinal (GIT) nematodes are among the commonest causes of poor productivity and profitability in tropical climates. This research was carried out to examine the effects of introducing molasses/mineral feed blocks besides the use of medicated blocks on gastrointestinal nematode infection in grazing goats.
Hamed Kioumarsi, an Iranian senior researcher conducted the research project in Malaysia. Zary Shariman Yahaya and Abdul Wahab Rahman, who are faculty members (Professors) at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), co-directed the research project.
Kioumarsi mentioned that this research was carried out to examine the effects of introducing molasses/mineral feed blocks besides the use of medicated blocks on growth, efficiency, carcass characteristics, blood metabolites, and control of gastrointestinal nematode infection in grazing goats in Malaysia. Now we are using the results to construct an awareness of multidisciplinary issues that arise in managing animal health and performance and ensuring high-quality production.
Results show that molasses/mineral feed blocks and medicated blocks have significant effects on final weight, average daily gain, carcass length, hot carcass weight, the weight of 9th, 10th, and 11th rib area, backfat thickness, body wall thickness, ribeye area- REA, eye muscle width, eye muscle depth, internal organs, internal fats, and all major carcass parts. At the end of the experiment, the blood was taken and analyzed to measure pathological and biochemical parameters.
The results show that a combination of molasses/mineral feed blocks and medicated blocks has significant effects on blood factors including calcium, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and Packed Cell Volume (PCV), and has no negative effects on body function. The results of fecal egg counting (FEC) stated the positive effect of using molasses/mineral feed blocks along with the use of medicated blocks on controlling gastrointestinal nematodes.
Histological results revealed the damage in the intestinal epithelium of the goats affected with gastrointestinal nematodes in the control group. In summary, with regards to the observed results in growth performances, carcass traits measurements, blood tests, fecal egg counts, histological work, and also the observations made by the researchers to measure the commercial productivity of the projects, the use of urea molasses/ mineral blocks and medicated urea molasses mineral blocks is highly recommended.
Sources: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Malaysia
https://www.usm.my/
Picture: Boer goat kid by Böhringer Friedrich/Wikimedia CC BY-SA 2.5.
