Norwegian Journal of Agricultural Sciences : alkali-treated straw as feed for ruminants: digestibility of treated straw in sheep and voluntary intake and growth of heifers fed on treated straw

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate how the nutritive value of cereal straw as feed for ruminants could be improved. Barley straw was treated with anhydrous ammonia and NaOH solution (dip treatment). The digestibility of NH,-treated and dip-treated straw assessed by sheep was significantly increased compared with that of untreated straw. The low level ofN content in the tested diet affects the intake of dip-treated straw as determined in growing heifers. Supplementation of urea to the diet increases roughage intake.