Do cows eat wheat straw? Many times people will ask this question and there is no easy answer. You can find out all about the composition of the straw and the nutrient content. You will also learn about the effect of the length of the chop on palatability.
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Oat straw
There are two main types of straws used by farmers today. They include barley straw and wheat straw. Both are palatable and good energy sources for ruminants, but there are significant differences in the nutritive value of the two.
Wheat straw has the lowest nutritional value of the two. It contains fewer nutrients and is only slightly more digestible than fresh straw.
Barley straw and oat straw are better feeds. Barley is a high energy source while oat is higher in protein.
As a supplement, wheat straw can keep cows satisfied. However, the overall feeding value of the ration is impacted by the presence of ammonia and limestone.
Regardless of the type of straw, cattle need a certain level of nutrition to maintain their body condition. The nutritive value of the straw is primarily related to the amount of protein and fibre in the forage.
The quality of the straw is also important. For instance, oat straw is higher in crude protein than wheat straw. Furthermore, a straw ration should include sufficient salt and minerals.
Barley straw
If you are a farmer, you may be wondering if your cattle will eat barley straw. Barley straw is a good source of forage, but it lacks protein. You should still supplement with hay or grain, since the animal needs additional energy.
For a healthy cow, a diet with sufficient protein, fibre and salt is essential. A dry cow should get about 2kg of meal per day. During winter, you can offer your cattle straw and hay mixed with grains.
If your cow is in the final trimester of pregnancy, you should use higher quality feed. She will also need more protein to support a developing calf.
The feeding value of straw depends on the age of the crop. Straw harvested during early years of maturity has a higher nutritive value. On the other hand, cereal crops harvested after maturity have a higher protein content.
Depending on the year, the nutritional value of straw can vary from one percent to eight percent. These differences must be accounted for by analyzing the forage in a laboratory.
Effect of chop length on palatability
The effect of chop length on palatability of wheat straw has been examined in a study. It was found that feeding short chopped straw reduced sorting in the dry period. Moreover, it increased metabolic health in the early lactation stage. This indicates the importance of observing the right timing of feed intake and digestion.
Pretreatment of the straw is a necessary step to increase the nutritional value of the feed. However, the method you choose should be based on your farm capacity and farmer skill. Also, it is advisable to consider the environmental concerns associated with the treatment.
A chemical method that has been used for years to improve the nutritional value of cereal straw is soaking it in a solution of NaOH. Using this technique, it was estimated that the fiber degradability of the straw would increase by up to 28 percent.
Enzyme treatments are another option. There are two commercially available fiber degrading enzymes. These include cellulase and glucosidase. They can be used together or alone. Some additives can also be added to enhance nutrient recovery and the stability of the silage.
Nutrient composition
A review of the nutrient composition of wheat straw and chaff for cattle has been undertaken in western Canada. The goal is to provide cattle producers with information on the potential use of cereal crop residues.
Feeding cows with straw-based rations usually requires supplementation of nutrients. This is because straw has only a 10 percent digestible protein content. However, there are other sources of natural protein. These include alfalfa hay, canola meal, and protein supplements.
There has been a lack of research in western Canada on the nutritional value of cereal straw and chaff. It is essential to conduct more detailed analysis of the nutritive value of feed to better utilize cereal crop residues.
Studies on the feeding value of cereal straw have been conducted in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Variation in straw quality is related to morphological factors, as well as harvesting and processing techniques.
Cultivars of wheat, barley, and oats may differ in rumen degradation and in vitro digestibility. Additionally, they may have different chemical compositions. In order to improve the nutrient composition of cereal straw and chaff, further selection and breeding should be considered.
