Variation of Quality Parameters of Total Mixed Ration Recipe Briquettes with Extended Storage Period Wishma M. Karunanayaka, Deepthi Nayananjalie, Sharini C. Somasiri, Amali P. Kumari, Jayantha B. Adikari, Viraj R. Weerasingha, and Sumudu S. Wimalasiri Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, Puliyankulama, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka Email: {wishmakarunanayaka, sumudu.senaniw}@gmail.com, {deepthin, sharinisc, amalipubudu, adikariamjb, vviraj}@agri.rjt.ac.lk Abstract—Six dried Total Mixed Ration (TMR) recipes were formulated according to Completely Randomized Design and pressed into briquettes to enhance the keeping quality. All briquettes were stored for 6 months and each was analysed for physical parameters, nutrient composition and shelf life. The interaction (period x treatment) effect was not significant in nutrients except for crude protein and ash contents. It was also not significant in shelf life parameters; yeast and mould counts and total plate counts in the recipe briquettes during six months period. There was no significant interaction effect on colour parameters; lightness (l*) and yellowness (b*) however, it was higher (p<0.05) for redness. The interaction effect was significant (p<0.05) for weight- and height-loss of the TMR briquettes. Thus, these TMR recipe briquettes could be stored for up to six months without any deleterious effect on physical, nutritive- and keeping quality parameters. Index Terms—keeping quality, nutrient composition, physical parameters, shelf life I. INTRODUCTION Forage production in Sri Lanka has a bimodal pattern coinciding with the rainfall pattern. It is high during the Maha (September to January) and Yala (March to June) rainy seasons [1]. Thus, the supply of forages is high during the above months and barely sufficient in other dry months February and, July to August. This inconsistent forage supply directly influences the milk production and the Body Condition Score (BCS) of the dairy cows. Therefore, forage preservation is an important strategy for consistent dairy production. During the land preparation for crop cultivation and harvesting period, the bulk of forages and crop residues are burnt and wasted. It is mainly due to negligence and also most of the farmers are not aware of the importance and quality of these crop residues and leys in crop fields [2]. Preservation of these crop residues and leys in the form of feed blocks, TMR briquettes, hay or silage would provide the required nutrients for a consistent production at forage scarce or shortage period. Above preserved forages can be incorporated in rations formulated for dairy cows according to their requirements. Preparation of excess forage as hay (dried fodder) and silage (wet fodder) is practiced by some small and large- scale farmers in Sri Lanka [3]. At present maize (Zea mays), Pennisetum perpureum x Pennisetum americarnum hybrids; CO-3 and CO-4 and sorghum (Sorghum bicolour) are commonly used for silage preparation in Sri Lanka. Preparation of hay using Brachiaria species and Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) is undertaken at small-scale. These forage preservation techniques help to provide optimum nutritional value, preserve the available feed from the present to the future, and minimize the forage wastage and cost of the production. Finally, it may assist the efficient management of available limited forage sources [4]. Therefore, the preservation of excess forages and by- products for the dry season ensures uniform dairy production performances [3]. Research has shown that forages such as Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) can be preserved as a leaf meal block and use as a supplement during feed scare periods to maintain live weight gain, and milk yield of dairy cows [5], [6]. This type of leaf meal block can be prepared with or without adding industrial by-products such as coconut poonac, rice bran, and molasses [3]. The feed blocks also help to provide deficient nutrients, facilitate packaging, storage, transport, and are easy to feed the animals. The cement and molasses can be used as binders [7]. The ingredients of different blocks depend on ingredient availability, nutritive value, price, ease of handling, and quality [7]. The TMR is prepared according to the nutritional requirement of different dairy cows ensuring that each bite is nutritionally balanced [3]. Therefore, it accomplishes the daily nutritional requirement. A TMR is more palatable than individual forages. Additionally, TMR helps to minimize disorders like bloat [8] and nutritional deficiencies. Further, applying the feed block preparation principle [5] a dry TMR can be preserved in a form of a briquette to be used during feed scarce or dry periods. It Manuscript received December 1, 2021; revised February 10, 2022; accepted April 16, 2022. 46 Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies Vol. 9, No. 2, December 2022 doi: 10.18178/joaat.9.2.46-53