Baler Ammoniation of Rice Straw-81
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Project Leader and Principal UC Investigators Don Toenjes, UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor |
Animal acceptance of the 4-foot by 5-foot high-density round bales indicates that even non-ammoniated rice straw is quite acceptable when fed free choice to beef cattle grazing on irrigated pasture. Ammoniated rice straw was generally preferred over non-treated rice straw. Cattle also preferred the center 75 percent of the uncovered ammoniated bales where changes from the ammonia were more significant. No mold was visible in the interior of the ammoniated bales even after they overwintered in the open. Observation in the very wet fall of 1981 indicates that neither the Vermeer round baler nor the Hesston 4800 4foot by 8-foot square baler can be used commercially during wet years without extensive modification. In a wet fall, bales also need to be covered to protect them against mold and oxidation if they are not ammoniated. Feeding and in vitro digestion studies showed that baler ammoniation increased the feed value of rice straw by 30 percent. Ammoniation increased the animal intake of the rice straw by about a third. There were no health problems associated with any of the feeds. Because rice straw is of low quality, large amounts should not be fed to young cattle expected to gain weight rapidly. It is more suitable as a maintenance ration for mature cattle.
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