The environmental role of sugarcane and the importance of molasses in cattle nutrition | Dellait

Álvaro García

Sugarcane holds significant environmental and agricultural importance in regions where it is cultivated. As a C4 plant, sugarcane has a unique photosynthetic pathway that enables it to efficiently capture and utilize atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂), making it a highly productive crop. C4 plants do very well in warm climates and are well-adapted to elevated levels of sunlight, enabling sugarcane to grow rapidly while minimizing water loss. This efficiency not only supports food and energy production but also aids in carbon sequestration, contributing to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in tropical and subtropical regions where this plant is widely grown. Countries like Brazil, India, Pakistan, and Thailand benefit economically and environmentally from sugarcane production, as it sustains livelihoods and plays a role in reducing carbon footprints.

Based on available data, the top five molasses-producing countries in 2023 were:

1. India: Leading with a 20.2 %.
2. Brazil: Close second at 19.5%.
3. Thailand: Significant producer with 9.8%.
4. China: Accounted for 6 %.
5. Pakistan: With 4.3 % share of global molasses production.

While sugarcane primarily serves as a source of sugar, one of its valuable by-products is molasses, a dark, viscous liquid derived during the sugar extraction process. Molasses is a highly versatile product, finding applications in food, biofuel production, and, notably, as a nutritional supplement in livestock systems.

Molasses as a supplement for cattle on high-fiber forages

In cattle production systems, especially those relying on high-fiber forages like crop residues, hay, or mature grasses, molasses serves as an excellent source of readily available energy. High-fiber diets often lack sufficient fermentable carbohydrates to support optimal ruminal microbial activity, which can limit digestion efficiency and energy supply to the animal. Molasses, rich in simple sugars such as sucrose, glucose, and fructose, provides a rapid energy source that enhances rumen fermentation.

In tropical and subtropical regions producers often mix molasses with urea to increase the crude protein content of the diet, effectively balancing the energy-to-protein ratio. This combination stimulates microbial protein synthesis in the rumen, which is particularly valuable when cattle consume low-protein, high-fiber forages. By improving forage digestibility and energy intake, molasses supplementation helps maintain cattle body condition, promotes growth, and supports milk production in dairy cows, even during periods of forage scarcity.

Molasses as a key ingredient in multi-nutritional blocks

Beyond direct supplementation, molasses is a critical component of multi-nutritional blocks, which are compact feed supplements designed to deliver energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins to grazing or forage-fed cattle. Multi-nutritional blocks are particularly useful in extensive production systems where cattle may have limited access to balanced diets. Molasses serves several purposes in these blocks:

1. Palatability: The natural sweetness of molasses improves the palatability of multi-nutritional blocks, encouraging cattle to consume the supplement consistently.
2. Binding Agent: Molasses acts as a natural binder, helping hold the ingredients of the block together without requiring artificial additives.
3. Energy Source: Its high sugar content provides a readily fermentable energy source that complements the structural carbohydrates found in low-quality forages.

Multi-nutritional blocks typically include urea, bypass protein sources, macro and micro-minerals, and vitamins, alongside molasses as the carrier and energy base. The combination of these ingredients ensures that cattle receive essential nutrients required for maintenance, growth, and reproduction. By improving rumen function and nutrient availability, molasses-based multi-nutritional blocks help overcome the nutritional deficiencies often observed in grazing systems.

• The following substitutions can be made for similar or potentially improved cattle performance: rice bran can be replaced with maize/corn bran or hominy feed; palm kernel cake can be substituted with copra meal, gluten feed, or sunflower meal; and the mineral mixture can be replaced with dicalcium phosphate.
• Mixing procedure: Add urea, salt, limestone, minerals, and cement individually to the molasses, ensuring thorough mixing after each addition. Once these ingredients are incorporated, add the rice bran and palm kernel cake, mixing thoroughly after each. Transfer the mixture into molds of appropriate size to allow it to solidify. In a couple of days, remove the blocks from the molds.

Sugarcane production plays a dual role in supporting environmental sustainability through CO₂ capture and providing valuable by-products like molasses for livestock systems. Molasses serves as a vital energy supplement for cattle, enhancing the digestibility of high-fiber forages and serving as a key component of multi-nutritional blocks. In countries where sugarcane is abundant, molasses offers a cost-effective solution to support cattle nutrition, particularly in resource-limited settings. Further analysis of molasses’ quality and composition will enable producers to maximize their potential, ensuring that livestock receive the energy and nutrients they need.

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