Composition and Improvement of Grass Straw for Ruminant Nutrition

Abstract

Samples of grass straw were analyzed in detail. They were given laboratory high-pressure steam treatments with and without alkali and their potential digestibilities by ruminants estimated by an enzymatic method before and after treatment. Steam treatment for 3 min. at 28 kg/cm2 increased the digestibility of grass straws by an average of more than 50%. Digestibility of most of the straws was more than doubled when 3% sodium hydroxide was added with the steam treatment. One sample of rye grass and one of alfalfa stem were treated in intermediate sized equipment to confirm and extend the results obtained with the small equipment. Results obtained by both in vitro and the enzymatic method indicate that large improvements can be made in the digestibility of straws that are at present not only valueless, but a great nuisance.