Straw is generally low in nutritional value and not very palatable for cattle, which makes it less appealing as a feed. However, by applying various processing techniques, the physical structure and chemical properties of straw can be improved, making it more digestible and nutritious. This not only increases its appeal to cattle but also enhances their growth rate and overall breeding efficiency.
One common method is the alkali-acid combination treatment. In this process, short straw is placed into a wooden barrel or cement tank and soaked in a 1.5% to 2% sodium hydroxide solution. After being removed and compacted, it is left for 12 to 24 hours. Then, it is transferred into another container and soaked in a 3% hydrochloric acid solution. Once the solution is drained, the treated straw becomes more suitable for feeding. This method can increase straw digestibility by 20 to 30%, and improve utilization rates by over 60%.
Another effective technique is ammoniation. By treating the straw with ammonia, the digestibility of crude fiber increases by 6.4% to 11%, while protein digestibility improves by 10.6% to 12.2%. The organic matter digestibility also rises by 4.7% to 8%. This process also helps supplement protein deficiencies, bringing the nutritional value close to that of green hay. The procedure involves placing the straw in a dry container, adding 12 liters of 25% ammonia water or 6.5 liters of urea solution per 100 kg of straw, sealing it, and leaving it for 5 to 7 days. Afterward, it is ventilated until the ammonia smell disappears before being fed to cattle.
Enzymatic fermentation is another promising approach. By adding cellulase preparations to the straw, the protein content can rise by 17.6%, and crude fat increases by 62.8%. The texture of the straw becomes softer, making it easier for cattle to consume. This improvement not only boosts feed intake but also reduces the risk of gastrointestinal issues, promoting better health and faster growth.
A combination of sodium hydroxide and lime is also used. A mixture of 1.6% sodium hydroxide and 1.5% to 2% lime is sprayed onto the straw using a sprayer, then compacted and layered. After one week of stacking, the crude fiber digestibility can increase by up to 30%.
Lime treatment is another popular method. For every 100 kg of straw, 3 kg of quicklime or slaked lime and 1 to 1.5 kg of salt are mixed with 200 to 500 liters of water. The mixture is stirred evenly, and the straw is soaked for 2 to 3 hours before being spread on the ground for 3 hours. Alternatively, the straw can be soaked in a 1% to 2% lime water solution for over 12 hours before feeding.
These treatments significantly enhance the quality of straw, making it a more valuable and efficient feed source for cattle, thereby supporting sustainable and profitable livestock farming.
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