Treatment and supplementation strategies for making efficient use of cereal straws for ruminant production

Abstract

Two experiments have been conducted to test the effects on performances of sheep and cattle of various protein concentrates when given as supplements to straw-based diets. Comparative effects of urea treatment and protein supplementation have also been examined. Experiment 1: An investigation was made of the effect of copra, palm kernel cake, cotton seed meal and sunflower meal supplements on wool growth and live weight gain of sheep. ... Experiment 2: Experiment 2 was conducted to determine the effects on feed intake and live weight gain of cattle of urea treatment of rice straw (TRS) and supplementation of untreated rice straw (URS) with copra or whole cotton seed. ... Animals fed solely URS lost weight, while urea treatment of rice straw and supplementation with Cpr and WCS improved the growth rate of animals significantly. However, live weight gains of cattle in response to the two supplements did not reflect rates of protein degradation of these supplements 'in vitro'.