Abstract
A low-tech dip method of upgrading winter barley straw (Igri) for goats was assessed by comparing the intake and digestibility of dip-treated straw with that of commercially treated and untreated straw. Dip treatment involved immersing small bales (69 kg m −3) for 45 min in a solution containing 11 g NaOH kg −1 and 7 g urea kg −1, and storing for 3–6 days, then feeding, without chopping. Commercial treatment involved shredding and mixing with concentrated NaOH solution using a Danish-made JF SP 2000 machine. Both methods applied 50 g NaOH kg −1 straw dry matter (DM). Untreated, dip and JF straws contained: 845, 225 and 819 g DM kg −1; 1.0, 30.0 and 30.0 g Na kg −1 DM; 7.0, 16.0 and 7.0 g N kg −1 DM. In Experiment 1, straws were fed ad libitum (allowing 25% excess) with restricted concentrates (15 g DM per kg W 0.75 per day) to nine castrates in a 2-period trial with total faeces collection over the last 9 days of the 20-day periods. For the organic matter of untreated, dip and JF straws, mean (± SED) intakes were, 13.9, 16.8 and 8.4 ± 2.50 g per kg W per day; mean digestibilities (by difference) were 45.9, 65.2 and 71.5 ± 2.42%, and digestible intakes were 6.3, 11.0 and 5.8 ± 1.45 g per kg W per day. The reluctance to eat JF straw was surprising. In Experiment 2, rumen DM degradabilities of the straws measured with dacron bags and fistulated goats showed treated straws to have degradation rates which were comparable and higher than that of untreated straw. It is concluded that dipping in a solution of NaOH and urea is an effective method of upgrading straw for goats. The method is also suitable for small-scale farmers.
Published Version
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