Impact of Area Specific Urea Molasses Mineral Block on the Production Performance of Pashmina Goats

This study was conducted to demonstrate the effect of area specific urea molasses mineral block (ASUMMB) on growth and production of pashmina goats and their kids. A total of 30 pashmina goats of age ranging from 1.5-2 years were divided into three groups (Group I, II and III), each group having 10 animals. Group I and Group II were supplemented with ASUMMB (150 g/day) and concentrate mixture (150 g/day) respectively, for 120 days (10 days of every month) each year. Group III was considered as control without any supplementation. They were evaluated for body weight gain and health status on quarterly basis, pashmina yield and quality, conception rate and birth weight of kids, on yearly basis. At 2 months age, kids of these animals were divided into three groups (Group I, II and III), each group containing 6 animals (n=6) and Group I was supplemented with ASUMMB (75 g/day), Group II with concentrate mixture (75 g/day) and Group III with no supplementation. They were evaluated for body weight gain and health status on quarterly basis, pashmina yield and quality on yearly basis. Body weight gain on quarterly basis, pashmina yield and staple/fiber length on yearly basis was higher (p<0.05) in both ASUMMB supplemented pashmina goats and kids than the non-supplemented group. ASUMMB supplementation increased conception rate of pashmina goats, birth weight (p<0.05) of kids and improved health status of both (+++). These findings are attributed to nutrient supplementation by ASUMMB, which provides all the essential nutrients required for growth, production, reproduction and health of pashmina goats, and thus improving production performance.