WO2004021801A1

WO2004021801A1 - Animal supplement lick blocks

Info

Publication number: WO2004021801A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2003/000129
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joe Orton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-09-06
Filing date: 2003-09-05
Publication date: 2004-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 2005-03-06
Also published as: AU2003270933A1

Abstract

A phosphate lick block that not only provides supplemental phosphate, but also non-protein nitrogen (NPN) to the diet of ruminants, by the inclusion of one or more sources of dietary phosphates in which animal feed grade mono-ammonium-phosphate (NH4H2PO4) (MAP FG) is the dominant ingredient and provides both phosphate and NPN supplementation. In producing the lick block, MAP FG is mixed with a suitable wetting agent and the mixture is allowed to set and harden. The wetting agent is preferably a molasses based product, constituted by condensed molasses solubles (CMS), molasses or a blend of the two, in which event CMS preferably forms the greater proportion in the blend.

Description

Animal Supplement Lick Blocks

Background to the invention

This invention relates to an animal feed supplement and a feed supplement lick block in particular.

Natural grazing and cultivated pastures in many parts of the world are often deficient in available dietary phosphate, as far as the dietary requirements of grazing ruminants are concerned. For this reason dietary phosphate supplementation is indicated as being necessary for normal growth and reproduction of livestock.

The conventional sources of dietary phosphate in animal feeds and supplements include calcium phosphates (including mono- and dicalcium phosphate), sodium phosphates (including monosodium- and sodium tripolyphosphate), de-fluo nated powdered rock phosphate and, in the past, bone meal.

In general lick blocks constitute a convenient mechanism for feeding mineral supplements, proteins and carbohydrates to ruminants grazing either or both natural and cultivated pastures.

Existing phosphate lick blocks use calcium phosphate as the source of dietary phosphate and in some instances urea is included as a non-protein nitrogen (NPN) supplement. Calcium phosphates and molasses are reacted with setting and hardening agents and pressed together into a lick block. The formulation typically provides a phosphate content of no more than 6%. Summary of the invention

This invention provides an animal feed supplement lick block to provide supplemental phosphorous in an animal diet that includes one or more sources of dietary phosphorus, characterised in that at least one of the sources of dietary phosphorus is monoammonium phosphate (NH4H2PO4 ).

The monoammonium phosphate is preferably constituted by animal feed grade monoammonium phosphate that is preferably defluorinated.

In the lick block of the invention, the monoammonium phosphate may be used as a source of phosphorous or phosphate either on its own or with one or more additional dietary phosphorous or phosphate sources that may be selected from calcium phosphates (monocalcium phosphate and/or dicalcium phosphate), sodium phosphates (monosodium phosphate and/or sodium tπpolyphosphate), ammonium phosphate, defluorinated phosphate rock and/or bone meal.

The lick block of the invention preferably includes a molasses product which may conveniently be constituted either by molasses on its own, condensed molasses solubles on their own or a mixture of the two molasses products.

The invention includes a method of producing an animal feed supplementation lick block, which method includes the steps of mixing powdered monoammonium phosphate with a suitable wetting agent and allowing the mixture to set.

The method may include the additional step of mixing powdered calcium oxide (CaO) with the monoammonium phosphate and the wetting agent.

In the preferred form of the invention, the wetting agent is constituted by a molasses product, being molasses on its own, condensed molasses solubles on their own or a mixture of the two.

In this form of the invention, the monoammonium phosphate and the calcium oxide are first mixed together as dry ingredients, whereafter the dry ingredients are mixed together with the molasses products before the resultant mixture is allowed to set. Description of embodiments of the invention

Conventional phosphate lick blocks consist mostly of mixtures of molasses, small quantities of CMS and calcium phosphates. They usually require magnesium oxide to initiate and sustain hardening. In addition an impact compaction press is needed to produce a viably hard block. It is usually not possible to exceed 6% phosphate in such blocks. Specialised shaping of the block may also be necessary.

The phosphate lick block of the invention seeks to overcome these disadvantages by providing a lick block that not only provides supplemental phosphate, but also non- protein nitrogen (NPN) to the diet of ruminants. This is . done by including one or more sources of dietary phosphates in which mono-ammonium-phosphate (NH H₂P0₄) (MAP) is the dominant ingredient and provides both phosphate and NPN supplementation.

The mono-ammonium-phosphate is preferably a refined and defluorinated, animal feed grade mono-ammonium-phosphate (MAP FG). Other forms of MAP may be used, but caution is advised since some forms of MAP may prove to be toxic.

In the lick block of the invention, the MAP FG may be used as a source of phosphate either on its own or with one or more additional dietary phosphate sources, including calcium phosphates (mono- and dicalcium-phosphate), sodium-phosphates (monosodium phosphate and sodium tripolyphosphate), ammonium-phosphate, defluorinated phosphate rock and bone meal. The use of the latter is restricted or prohibited in a large number of countries and is no longer advised.

In producing the lick block powdered MAP FG is mixed with a suitable wetting agent and the mixture is allowed to set and harden. The wetting agent is made up of a molasses based product, constituted by condensed molasses solubles (CMS), molasses or a mixture of the two, in which event CMS preferably forms the greater proportion.

CMS is a byproduct formed in the production of ethanol (alcohol) from molasses and is essentially a yeast byproduct containing a small quantity of sugars. The product in itself is not very palatable and is conventionally used in limited quantities either as an organic fertiliser or, in dried form, as an animal feed ingredient or supplement. The quantity of CMS used in this manner is greatly limited due to the high cost of drying and in consequence large quantities of CMS are dumped. Using wet CMS for the production of phosphate lick blocks therefore holds great advantages.

Dry MAP FG is hygroscopic and. hardens naturally upon wetting, such as for instance, when CMS is added to it.

In the production process, powdered calcium oxide (CaO) is added to the MAP FG and mixed with all the dry ingredients that are then added to the wetting agent.

The CaO accelerates the hardening process in that this natural hardening process is enhanced by the heat generated by the exothermic reaction of calcium oxide (CaO) with the water in the CMS/molasses blend, to form calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂).

In the presence of MAP FG this reaction continues to form dicalcium phosphate over time.

NH₄.H₂P0₄ + Ca(OH)₂ => CaHP0₄ + NH₃ + 2H_zO

The solid compound dicalcium phosphate hydrates as CaHP0₄.2H₂O (dicalcium phosphate di-hydrate).

The ammonia liberated in the above reaction is absorbed by the CMS or CMS/molasses blend and serves as a NPN source in the final lick block. This gives added value to the phosphate lick block when fed to ruminants in particular during dry summers and the winter months.

Using this controlled chemical process, the lick block of invention is essentially produced by mixing dry MAP FG with a palatable wetting agent preferably a CMS or CMS based molasses blend where CMS forms the greater part. The final mixture is allowed to harden naturally, producing a palatable end product. CaO is preferably added to enhance the above reaction and speed up hardening. The hardness of the block is regulated by the CMS/molasses ratio. The higher the molasses content the softer the block. The higher the P content the more CMS can be included to achieve an accepted level of hardening. High inclusions of CMS affect palatability and can assist in the control of intake. This is a useful mechanism for adapting the phosphate lick block of the invention to climate and desired intake conditions. As far as climatic conditions are concerned, it might be desirable to have a harder block in more humid areas and softer blocks for more arid and dry conditions. In sour grazing conditions, the animals normally have a greater phosphate craving and the phosphate lick block of the invention may be made slightly harder by a reduction of the pure molasses content, to ameliorate phosphate intake by the hardness of the block, thus counteracting the natural tendency of the animals to make a greater effort in licking the blocks. In sweet grazing conditions on. the other hand, the animals might be assisted in obtaining a higher phosphate intake by making the blocks slightly softer through an increase in molasses content.

As mentioned before the natural hardening process of the MAP FG can be accelerated by the addition of calcium oxide to produce a lick block that hardens chemically within a very short period of time. This alleviates the need to press or compact the block. The end result in both cases is a hard weatherproof block.

In addition, the mineral supplementation quality of the block can be further enhanced by the addition of calcium carbonate (CaC0₃) and a limited quantity of sodium chloride (NaCI). The calcium carbonate can be added to provide a balanced ratio of Ca to MAP FG of 1 : 3 and to increase the Ca content of the block where calcium oxide is insufficient, to achieve a Ca to P ratio of 1 : 1.

It is advisable to include sodium benzoate as a mould inhibitor when CMS is the only or major inclusion in the wetting agent.

Magnesium oxide is added in small quantities when blocks are recommended in areas that have a known magnesium deficiency (areas of grass tetany, acidosis and the like).

Sodium chloride (NaCI) is added to assist in the control of intake and to supplement Na and/or Cl where needed.

Macro and micro-nutrients such as sulfur, potassium, copper, iodine, selenium, cobalt, zinc, and others can be added in premix form, formulated for specific areas.

In the preferred formulations of the phosphate lick block of this invention, the following ingredients are used in the following proportions:

Preferred Formulation Lower and Upper Limits

(percentage of total mass) (percentage of total mass)

MAPFG 24-44 5-52

CaO 8-16 5-18

CaC0₃ 0-4 0-4

NaCI 5-8 . 0-10

Sodium Benzoate 0-2 0-2

Macro and Micro Nutrients 0-6 2-10

Molasses 85 Brix 12-48 0-60

CMS 52 Brix 12-36 0-36

The Preferred Formulations outlined immediately above yield the following content analyses.

Lower Upper

(Lower and Upper ends of the formulation range outlined above under the heading "Preferred Formulation")

Phosphorous 6% 12%

Calcium 8% 12%

Nitrogen (NPN %) 2.92% (18,25%) 5.5% (34%)

MAP FG (Feed Grade Mono-Ammonium Phosphate - NH₄H₂P0₄)

In the phosphate lick block of the invention, the ammonium phosphate of the MAP FG is used as the preferred source of feed phosphate, but the inclusion of one or more additional dietary phosphate sources is possible. Additional feed phosphate sources to select from include all forms of calcium phosphates, sodium phosphates, ammonium phosphate, de-fluorinated rock phosphate and bone meal (where this is not prohibited).

The inclusion of these sources of dietary phosphate must be monitored carefully as such inclusion reduces the volume inclusion of CMS or CMS/molasses blends which could result in a lower P intake.

The chemical analysis of the MAP FG used in the phosphate lick block of this invention is as follows:

The chemical and physical analyses and attributes of the MAP FG used in the phosphate lick block of this invention are as follows:

Typical Chemical Analysis Percentages

Nitrogen (N) 11 % min

Phosphorous (P) 24% min

Citric acid soluble P (as% of total P) 98_f4%

Sulphur 2% max

Moisture (m/m) 4,0%

Physical Properties pH 4,5

Granular size 100% granules between 250 micron and 2mm Color Off-white Bulk Density 0,91 kg/m³

Calcium Oxide (CaO)

Caution should be exercised not to add too much calcium oxide, since an excess, particularly when CaC0₃ is present, can cause a residue of unreacted lime, which may have a negative effect on the physical appearance of the block. For this reason it is important that the ratio of calcium oxide to MAP FG is not less than :3.

Due to the importance of the heat generated from the exothermic lime hydration reaction, it is important to ensure that lime has a reactivity close to or better than that of standard reactive lime, which has a Reactivity Index of 30°C per minute or higher.

The chemical and physical analyses and attributes of the calcium oxide used in the phosphate lick block of this invention are as follows:

Typical Chemical Analysis Percentages

Typical Guaranteed

Available Calcium CaO 89,0 85,0 min

Total Calcium CaO 92,5

Total Magnesium MgO 1 ,3 2,5 max

Silica SiO₂ 1 ,8

Insolubles - 2,6

Ignition Loss co₂ 1 ,5 2,5 max

H₂O 0,3

Typical Physical Analysis

Sieve Aperture (mm) % Passing

0,850 100,00

Physical Properties

Color Pale buff due to presence of 0,9% Manganese

(as Mn₂O₃.) Bulk Density Storage Design

0.9 tons/cubic meter 1.1 tons/cubic meter

Calcium Carbonate (CaC0₃)

Calcium carbonate is included to maintain a Ca to P ratio of 1 :1.

Due to the liberation of C0₂ during the exothermic hydration reaction of the calcium carbonate, it is advisable to keep the inclusion level of CaC0₃ below 4%. Inclusions higher than 4% may result in blocks that crack and crumble after an extended period of storage.

The chemical and physical analyses and attributes of the calcium carbonate used in the phosphate lick block of this invention are as follows:

Typical Chemical Analysis

CaCO₃ 90%

MgCO₃ 5%

Loss on ignition 41 %

Si0₂ 5%

R₂0₃ 1%

Fe₂O_s 0.1%

CaO 51 %

MgO 2%

Moisture content <2% .

Acid insolubles 7%

Physical Properties

Relative density 2,7

Hardness 3

Refractive Index 1 ,6 pH value 9

Bulk density (loose) 1 ,4 g/cm³

Bulk density (packed) 1 ,9 g/cm³

Mean particle size 200 μm

Residue on 850 μm 1%

Residue on 106 μm 70%

Salt (NaCI)

Only fine grade and a 100% granular salt (<1.0 mm) should be used.

Too much salt partially destroys the palatability of molasses. Potentially this can also produce calcium chloride, which, being tenaciously hygroscopic, can cause the block to sweat and look soggy. Less than 2% salt may induce mould growth where CMS is the only wetting agent. When this occurs it will be necessary to add 2% sodium benzoate.

The chemical and physical analyses and attributes of the salt used in the phosphate lick block of this invention are as follows:

Typical Chemical Analysis

Sodium Chloride (NaCI) 96,9%

Sodium (Na) 38,1%

Potassium (K) 0,007%

Magnesium (Mg) 0,09%

Calcium (Ca) 0,103%

Carbonate (CO₃) 0,21 %

Sulfate (SO₄) 0,34%

Chloride (Cl) 58,8%

Water (H₂O) <2%

Physical Properties

Particle size >0,1mn

Sodium Benzoate

This acts as a mould inhibitor and must only be used when the greater part of the block is condensed molasses solubles and in particular in areas of high humidity.

Typical Analysis

Description White amorphous granules of crystalline powder, odourless or with a faint odor. Taste unpleasant, sweetish and saline.

Soluble in 2 parts of water and 90 parts of

Solubility Ethanol (96%) Purity - 99.0 min

Expressed as C₇H₅0₂Na%

By Mass on Dry Basis Heavy metals 10 ppm

Moisture 2.0% max

Clarity and color of solution Clear, colourless

Acidity or Alkalinity 0.2 ml (max) of 0.1 N NaOH or 0.1 N HCI

Minerals - Macro- and micronutrients

The inclusion of minerals is optional. Depending on a particular deficiency in a particular area, macro and micro nutrients can be added. It is important to add the correct grade and high quality products. For example, to prevent grass tetany in dairy cattle MgO is added. It must be appreciated that this is not done to harden the block. Unlike conventional blocks, any MgO that might be added takes no part in the hardening reaction. It is simply an optional addition to supplement a specific deficiency.

The chemical and physical analyses and attributes of the minerals, macro- and micro-nutrients used in the phosphate lick block of this invention are as follows:

Typical Chemical Analysis

MgO 88.6% Min 86%

SiO_z 2.7% Max 5%

Fe₂O₃ 0.4% Max 2%

CaO 2.4%' Max 3%

AI₂O₃ : 0.01% Max 1%

Loss on ignition 2.9% Max 6%

Physical Properties - MgO

Grading Powder 150 μm (100#)

Fine 1.0 mm (De-dusted)

Granular + 1.0 mm - 4.5 mm (Normal) pH 9.3

Tap density 0.9 g/cc

Reactivity 80% converted to Mg(OH)₂ in 3 hours at 90°C Magnesium content 50% minimum

Color White / Off-white

Molasses

The quality of the molasses for this invention should be a minimum of 85% Brix, (refractometer test). The density should be a minimum of 1.4479.

In addition, when molasses is included on its own, it is advisable to decrease its viscosity and that of the mix by adding water to the molasses. The following guidelines are suggested, with the percentage phosphate content being that of the phosphate lick block:

Percentage phosphate content 10% 8% 6%

Molasses 30% 40% . . 46%

Water . 6% 6% . 4%

Total 36% 46% 50%

Density 1 ,373 1 ,389 1 ,412

The chemical and physical analyses and attributes of the molasses used in the phosphate lick block of this invention are as follows:

Typical Analysis

Brix (refractometer) 85 - 92%

Dry Solids 71 - 82%

Sulfated Ash 11 - 13%

Sucrose 26 - 31 %

Starch 400 - 4000 ppm

Sodium 50 - 2000 ppm

Potassium 19000 - 65000 ppm

Magnesium 2500 - 5500 ppm

Phosphates 800 - 6000 ppm Condensed Molasses Solubles

Condensed molasses solubles may be used on their own or as a blend with molasses. The following blending guidelines are suggested, with the percentage phosphate content being that of the phosphate lick block. The density should be monitored at all times, as indicated in the following table:

Percentage phosphate content

10% 10% 8% 8% 6%

CMS 36% 24% 22% 26% 12%

Molasses -% 12% 22% . 18% 40%

Total 36% 36% 44% 44% 52%

Density 1.25 1.316 1.347 1.329 1.403

The chemical and physical analyses and attributes of the CMS used in the phosphate lick block of this invention are as follows:

Typical Analysis - - wet basis g/kg

Dry matter 500

Organic matter 360

Crude Protein 56.3

Nitrogen 9

Phosphorus 1.5

Potassium 50.0

Magnesium 6.0

Sulphur 11.0

Specific gravity 1.25 - 1.31

Two alternative manufacturing processes are available to produce the phosphate lick block of the invention. The first is an integrated process in which the production of MAP FG is integrated in the manufacturing process and the second is a non- integrated process which permits of continuous or batch processing.

In each of these manufacturing processes, certain pre-production processes are required to prepare the constituents of the phosphate lick block, which pre-production processes are discussed above with reference to each constituent.

Integrated process

In this process, MAP FG is produced as part of the phosphate lick block manufacturing process.

MAP FG is produced by reacting ammonia with phosphoric acid using an appropriate production technique, such as the pipe-cross method. The resultant MAP FG is then piped, with as little cooling as possible, directly from the MAP production unit to a high-speed mixer for the production of lick blocks.

In addition to the manufacture of the MAP FG, the following wet and dry process steps are carried out.

In the wet process, water and molasses are pumped from a supply point or an existing plant to storage tanks and CMS is pumped from a supply point (such as a drum delivery and discharge area - for CMS that is supplied in drums, for instance) to the CMS tank.

The water is used to control viscosity and for cleaning.

The wet ingredients are pumped or gravity fed from the wet ingredient storage tanks to a wet ingredient mixing tank where the wet ingredients are weighed, preferably using load cells integral with the tank. In addition, the mixing tank includes a stirrer, a heating system and a heating control system, such as a thermocouple with a temperature indicator, since the wet mixture in the mixing tank is heated to 42°C while it is mixed by stirring.

The heated and mixed wet mix is then pumped to the high speed mixer.

In a parallel process, the dry ingredients are weighed off and blended in a dry material blender that discharges into a hopper/feeder such as a live bottom feed hopper or bin.

The wet and dry mixes are then fed simultaneously to the high-speed mixer, together with the MAP FG originating from the MAP FG production process. Here the constituents of the phosphate lick block are finally mixed together after which the mixture is piped to a packaging point where the mixture is packed, for instance, as 25kg lick blocks packed in cardboard boxes. The boxes can then be conveyed to a setting and cooling area before the boxes are closed for storage, transportation and delivery.

The advantage of the integrated manufacturing process is that the MAP FG, which makes up the bulk of the phosphate lick block, need not be obtained from off-site. It is only the smaller volume ingredients, such as CMS, molasses and other small volume ingredients, which will have to be transported to the production site.

The non-integrated manufacturing processes are similar to the integrated process described above with the exception that the MAP FG is obtained from off-site. The MAP FG can be supplied as a bagged dried product or as a dry bulk product, for instance, in1000kg bulk bags or in bulk tankers.

In addition to the separate supply of the MAP FG, the wet and dry process steps previously described are carried out in the manner set out above. The wet ingredients are mixed in a wet process and the heated and mixed wet mix is pumped to the high speed mixer. The dry ingredients are weighed off and blended in the dry material blender and discharged into the live bottom feed bin. The wet and dry mixes are then fed simultaneously to the high-speed mixer, together with the MAP FG where the constituents of the phosphate lick block are finally mixed together after which the mixture is piped to the packaging point.

Both the integrated and the non-integrated processes described above are essentially continuous processes in that the processes can be continued indefinitely for as long as the machinery can be operated and constituents can be supplied. It is however possible to conduct the manufacturing process on a batch basis. In such a batch process dry ingredients and the CMS or CMS/molasses blend is pre- weighed whereafter the CMS or CMS/molasses blend is fed into an appropriate mixer such as double shaft pedal mixer, where the liquid product is stirred. The dry ingredients, including the separately supplied MAP FG, are then introduced into the CMS or CMS/molasses blend and the mixing cycle is allowed to continue until the mixture is thoroughly mixed. This yields a paste-like product that can be extruded from the mixer into 25kg containers, which will then be allowed to harden and cure in the manner described above.

It will be appreciated that the formulations and the processes described above are examples of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention in any way.

While it might be possible to vary the ratios of the constituents used in the above, examples, the formulations set out above have the advantage that the mono- ammonium-phosphate and CMS or CMS/molasses blend are present in a ratio of almost 1 :1. In addition, virtually the entire end product is made up of nutritive constituents.

Using the 1 : 1 ratio of MAP FG to CMS or CMS/molasses blends referred to above, the quantity of available phosphates is increased from the 6% P made available in conventional feed phosphate lick blocks to 12% P in the phosphate lick blocks of this invention. This is achieved in the lick block of the invention by an increase in the molasses and or CMS content from about 30% (in conventional blocks) to 50% in the phosphate lick block of this invention.

In addition, the higher CMS or CMS/molasses content replaces more expensive fillers, such as maize meal and other carbohydrates used in existing lick blocks.

A further advantage of the phosphate lick block of this invention is that it hardens naturally thereby eliminating the need for the use of setting compounds and compacting equipment.

In using wet CMS, in the form it appears as a by-product in the production of ethanol, and in using wet molasses instead using dried CMS or blending with dried molasses powder, the phosphate lick block of the invention produces a substantial saving in cost of raw materials and production. This cost saving is enhanced by the fact that CMS is of limited usage and this invention therefore benefits from the use of an essentially useless waste product.

Claims

1. An animal feed supplement lick block to provide supplemental phosphorous in an animal diet that includes one or more sources of dietary phosphorus, characterised in that at least one of the sources of dietary phosphorus is monoammonium phosphate (NH₄H₂PO ).

2. A lick block according to claim 1 characterised in that the monoammonium phosphate is constituted by animal feed grade monoammonium phosphate.

3. A lick block according to either of the preceding claims characterised in that the monoammonium phosphate is defluorinated.

4. A lick block according to any one of the preceding claims characterised by the inclusion at least one additional dietary phosphorous or phosphate source, selected from calcium phosphates (including monocalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate), sodium phosphates (including monosodium phosphate and sodium tripoly phosphate), ammonium phosphate, defluorinated phosphate rock and/or bone meal.

5. A lick block according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the block includes a molasses product.

6. A lick block according to claim 5 characterised in that the molasses product is constituted by either or both molasses and condensed molasses solubles.

7. A lick block according to claim 6 characterised in that the molasses product is constituted by a blend of molasses and condensed molasses solubles, in which blend the condensed molasses solubles is the major constituent.

8. A lick block according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that calcium oxide is added to speed up hardening during production of the block.

9. A lick block according to claim 8 characterised by the inclusion of calcium carbonate sufficient to achieve, in the finished block, a ratio of calcium to monoammonium phosphate of at least 1 : 3 and a ratio of calcium to phosphorus of at least 1 :1.

10. A lick block according to any one of claim 6 to 9 characterised in that the molasses product is constituted by condensed molasses solubles and which includes a mould inhibitor, such as sodium benzoate.

11. A lick block according to any one of the preceding claims characterised by the inclusion of at least one of the following mineral supplements or macro- or micronutrients: magnesium oxide; sodium chloride; sulphur; potassium; copper; iodine; selenium; cobalt or zinc.

12. A lick block according to any one of the preceding claims characterised in that the following ingredients are used in the following proportions: percentage of total mass

Monoammonium Phosphate 5 - 52

Calcium Oxide 5 - 18

Calcium Carbonate 0 - 4

Sodium Chloride 0 - 10

Sodium Benzoate 0 - 2

Macro and Micro Nutrients 2 - 10

Molasses 85 Brix 0 - 60

CMS 52 Brix 0 - 36

13. A lick block according to claim 12 characterised in that the following ingredients are used in the following proportions: percentage of total mass

Monoammonium Phosphate 24 - 44

Calcium Oxide 8 -16

Calcium Carbonate 0 - 4

Sodium Chloride 5 - 8 Sodium Benzoate 0 - 2

Macro and Micro Nutrients 0 - 6

Molasses 85 Brix 12 - 48

CMS 52 Brix 12 - 36

14. A method of producing an animal feed supplementation lick block, characterised by the steps of mixing powdered monoammonium phosphate with a suitable wetting agent and allowing the mixture to set.

15. A method of producing an animal feed supplementation lick block according to claim 14 characterised by the additional step of mixing powdered calcium oxide with the monoammonium phosphate and the wetting agent.

16. A method of producing an animal feed supplementation lick block according to either of claims 14 or 15 characterised by the preliminary step of defluorinating the monoammonium phosphate.

17. A method of producing an animal feed supplementation lick block according to any one of claims 14 to 16 characterised by the additional step of adding at least one additional dietary phosphorous or phosphate source, selected from calcium phosphates (including monocalcium phosphate and dicalcium phosphate), sodium phosphates (including monosodium phosphate and sodium t polyphosphate), ammonium phosphate, defluorinated phosphate rock and/or bone meal.

18. A method of producing an animal feed supplementation lick block according to any one of claims 14 to 17 characterised by the use of a molasses product as the wetting agent.

19. A method of producing an animal feed supplementation lick block according to claim 18 characterised by the preliminary step of preparing the molasses product as a blend of molasses and condensed molasses solubles, in which blend the condensed molasses solubles is the major constituent.

20. A method of producing an animal feed supplementation lick block according to any one of claims 14 to 19 characterised by the additional step of adding calcium carbonate to the mixture sufficient to achieve, in the finished block, a ratio of calcium to monoammonium phosphate of at least 1 : 3 and a ratio of calcium to phosphorus of at least 1 :1.

21. A method of producing an animal feed supplementation lick block according to claim 18 characterised by the step of using condensed molasses solubles as the molasses product and adding, to the mixture, a mould inhibitor, such as sodium benzoate.

22. A method of producing an animal feed supplementation lick block according to any one of claims 14 to 21 characterised by the addition, to the mixture, of at least one of the following mineral supplements or macro- OF micronutrients: magnesium oxide; sodium chloride; sulphur; potassium; copper; iodine; selenium; cobalt or zinc.

23. A lick block substantially as described in this specification with reference to the illustrative examples.

24. A method of producing an animal feed supplementation lick block substantially as described in this specification with reference to the illustrative examples.