• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.1583-1591
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• 2003

The influence of varying levels of urea and additives on nitrogen (N) retention and chemical composition of wheat straw was studied. The wheat straw was treated with 4, 6 and 8% urea and ensiled with 1.5, 2 and 2.5% of acetic or formic acid and 2, 4 and 6% of corn steep liquor (CSL) or acidified molasses for 15 days. The N content of wheat straw was significantly different across all treatments. The N content of urea treated wheat straw was increased with the increasing level of urea. The N content was higher in urea treated wheat straw ensiled with acetic or formic acid as compared to urea treated wheat straw ensiled without these organic acids. The N content of urea treated wheat straw was further enhanced when it was ensiled with CSL or acidified molasses. This effect was significant across all levels of urea used to treat the wheat straw. Nitrogen retention in urea treated wheat straw was decreased linearly as the urea level was increased to treat the wheat straw. The N content was increased linearly when higher levels of CSL or acidified molasses were used to ensile the urea treated wheat straw. Most of the N in urea treated wheat straw was held as neutral detergent insoluble N (NDIN). The NDIN content was increased linearly with the increasing levels of urea and additives. The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) contents were higher in urea treated wheat straw ensiled with acetic or formic acid as compared to urea treated wheat straw ensiled without additive. The NDF content further increased in urea treated wheat straw ensiled with CSL and acidified molasses. The entire increase in NDF content was because of fiber bound N. The hemicellulose content of urea treated wheat straw ensiled with CSL or acidified molasses was higher as compared to urea treated wheat straw ensiled with acetic or formic acid. The acid detergent fiber content of urea treated wheat straw ensiled with or without additives remained statistically non-significant. The cellulose contents of wheat straw was linearly reduced when urea level was increased from 4 to 6 and 8% to treat the wheat straw. This effect was further enhanced when urea treated wheat straw was ensiled with different additives. The results of the present study indicated that fermentable carbohydrates might improve the Nitrogen retention and bring the favorable changes in physiochemical nature of wheat straw. However, biological evaluation of urea treated wheat straw ensiled with fermentable carbohydrates is required.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.368-373
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• 2003

This experiment was conducted to examine the effects on the composition and rumen degradation in sacco of rice straw treated with animal urine (1 l of 2.9 g N/kg DM straw) and urea plus calcium hydroxide (2% urea plus 0.5% $Ca(OH)_2$/kg DM straw) as a cheap and relatively safe alternative for ammonia (3% ammonia solution/kg DM straw). Mold occurred in urine treated straw, but other treatments were apparently mold-free. All treatments significantly (p<0.05) increased CP content in the straw compared with untreated one. Ammonia-treated straw contained CP at about twice that in urine or urea-calcium hydroxide treated straw. NDF and hemicellulose contents decreased significantly (p<0.05) in all treatments, while ADF and cellulose showed no differences compared with untreated straw. The degradable fraction of DM, CP, NDF, hemicellulose and cellulose was significantly (p<0.05) increased for ammonia and urea-calcium hydroxide treatments than for urine treated or untreated straw except for CP of urine treated straw. Chemical treatment of rice straw increased the readily degradable fraction of CP, while it decreased the slowly degradable fraction for urine or urea-calcium hydroxide treated rice straw. The degradation rate of hemicellulose was significantly (p<0.05) increased for ammonia and urea-calcium hydroxide treatments compared to urine treated or untreated straw. However, no effect on cellulose degradation rate was found by any of the treatments. There was no improvement in the degradation kinetics caused by the urine treatment despite the improvement of the chemical composition. Although the improvement in rumen degradability was less in the urea-calcium hydroxide treatment than in the ammonia treatment, its use may be more desirable because it is less expensive to obtain, less hazardous nature, and readily available. For further improvement it is necessary to investigate the supplementation of slowly degradable nitrogen to ureacalcium hydroxide treated rice straw diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.281-285
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• 1996

On farm demonstration of urea treatment (5 kg urea dissolved in 60 litre water/100kg) of straw was performed at 6 different sites and treated straw was stored by three different methods i.e., plastic covered, mud plastered and existing farmers technique (mud plastered on the top and open from sides) to determine the best storage method in field. Untreated and treated samples were taken after 5 week storage period and subjected to crude protein, crude fibre and cell wall constituents analysis. In situ dry matter digestibility of straw was measured by nylon bag technique in buffalo bulls. Crude protein content increased by 100 to 153 percent in treated straw stored by different methods. Maximum increase in crude protein of treated straw was noticed in mud plastered method. Urea treatment of straw resulted in significant decrease in crude fibre contents in all the storage methods. Treatment of straw enhanced the in situ digestibility by 25-49 percent and maximum digestibility (53%) was found in mud plastered storage method. It was concluded that the mud plastered storage method for urea treated straw was found to be the best at farm level.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.1200-1204
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• 1999

Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of urea treatment of rice and wheat straw on feed intake, dry matter (DM) digestibility and milk yield of lactation buffaloes in their late lactation under farmers' management conditions in the western hills of Nepal during 1995 and 1997. Dry matter intake (DMI) from urea treated rice and wheat straw was not improved significantly (p<0.05) nor the total DMI of the lactating buffaloes was improved significantly. However, feeding urea treated rice straw increased straw DMI by 14.2% and total DMI by 10.63% units over the untreated rice straw. Similarly, the increase in straw and total DMI were 20.18 and 17.40% units over the untreated wheat straw fed animals. Although there was no significant effect of urea treatment of both straw on DM digestibility, it was higher for treated than untreated straw at all locations. An overall increment of 18.1% units for rice straw and 13.3% units for wheat straw was observed. There was a significant effect (p<0.01) of feeding urea treated rice and wheat straw on the milk yield of lactating buffaloes during late lactation under farmers conditions. Post experiment milk yield was also significantly (p<0.05) higher for the animals fed treated straw in both the experiments. Buffalo milk yield was also significantly affected by breed (p<0.01), location (p<0.01) and parity (p<0.01) of the animals. General response of the farmers about the technology and their observed effect on animal performance was also very positive.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.522-527
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• 2002

The experiment was conducted for a period of 56 days with twelve Bangladeshi bull calves of average body weight of $127.20{\pm}11.34$ kg. The calves were divided into 3 groups having 4 animals in each. The animals were fed urea-treated rice straw designated as A) 4% urea-treated rice straw, B) 4% urea+4% soybean-treated rice straw and C) 4% urea+6% soybean-treated rice straw. In addition, all the animals were supplied 2 kg green grass, 350 g Til-oil-cake and 100 g common salt per 100 kg body weight of animals. Straw was treated with 4% urea solution and soybean meal at 4 and 6% were added to treated straw and kept for 48 h in double layer polythene bags under anaerobic condition. Urea treatment improved crude protein (CP) content of rice straw from 2.68 to 8.70% and it was further increased by 10.74 and 12.12% with the addition of 4 and 6% soybean meal. Dry matter (DM) intake (kg) was higher (p<0.05) in C (4.2) followed by B (4.1) and A (4.0). Crude protein intake was significantly higher (p<0.05) in group B and C than group A. Total live weight gains were 20.2, 24.8 and 25.6 kg for calves of group A, B and C respectively (p<0.01). The addition of soybean meal to treated rice straw did not affect the coefficients of digestibility of DM, OM, EE and NFE. However, CP and CF digestibility were significantly higher in group B and C (p<0.05). The values for digestible crude protein (DCP), digestible ether extract (DEE), digestible nitrogen free extract (DNFE) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in diet C and B in comparison to diet A, but there were no significant difference in digestible organic matter (DOM) and digestible crude fibre (DCF) value among the groups. It may be concluded that 4% urea treated rice straw can be fed to growing bull calves with 2 kg green grass and a small quantity of concentrate without any adverse effect on feed intake and growth. Moreover, soybean meal at 4 and 6% can be added to urea treated rice straw at the time of treatment for rapid hydrolyzing of urea, which resulted an improvement in nutrient digestibility and better utilization of rice straw for growth of growing bull calves.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.481-486
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• 1994

The effect of neutralization of urea-treated rice straw with sulfuric acid was investigated. Long-cut (15-20 cm) and short-cut (2-3 cm) rice straw were treated with 6% urea for 21 days, and the treated straw was mixed with an acid-molasses solution to neutralize free ammonia and kept airtightly in a plastic bag for 24 hours. The neutralized and non-neutralized straw were dried and subjected to chemical analysis and in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility determination. The in vitro DM digestibility as well as crude protein (CP) content were remarkably improved by neutralization. Short-cutting of the straw before treatment gave a better result than the long-cut samples. Neutralization with sulfuric acid also affected the chemical composition and increased sulfur content of samples. The CP thus fixed by neutralization was proven to be kept stable for 3 months, and in vitro DM digestibility was not affected by the storing period.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.563-566
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• 1995

To improve the nutritive value of wheat straw it as treated with 0, 3, 4 and 5 percent levels of urea, 0 and 4 percent level of alkali at 40, 50 and 60 percent moisture levels and stored at room temperature. Total nitrogen contents of the straw increased significantly, from 0.77 percent with no urea treatment to 0.87, 1.16 and 1.19 percent with 3, 4 and 5 percent urea levels, respectively. Percent retention of nitrogen was 63.73 percent. Alkali treatment at 4 percent level, lowered significantly the crude fibre contents of the straw from 41.86 percent in control to 40.21 percent in the treated straw. Moisture level of 40 percent significantly lowered (p < 0.05) the crude fibre contents. Total ash content of straw increased significantly by urea and alkali treatment. Alkali treatment improved significantly the sodium contents also. The results of the study indicated that most beneficial results were obtained with 4 percent urea, 4 percent alkali at 50 percent moisture level.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.1295-1303
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different physical forms and urea treatment of rice straw on feed intake, rumen fermentation, and milk production. Four, multiparous Holstein crossbred dairy cows in mid-lactation with initial body weight (BW) of $409{\pm}20kg$ were randomly assigned according to a $4{\times}4$ Latin square design to receive four dietary treatments. The dietary treatments were as follows: untreated, long form rice straw (LRS), urea-treated (5%), long form rice straw (5% ULRS), urea-treated (2.5%), long form rice straw (2.5% ULRS) and urea-treated (2.5%), chopped (4 cm) rice straw (2.5% UCRS). Cows were fed with concentrate diets at a ratio of concentrate to milk yield of 1:2 and rice straw was fed ad libitum. The findings revealed significant improvements in total DM intake and digestibility by using long and short forms of urea-treated rice straw (p<0.05). Ruminal pH was not altered among all treatments (p>0.05), whereas ruminal $NH_3$-N, BUN and MUN were found to be increased (p<0.01) by urea-treated rice straw as compared with untreated rice straw. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) concentrations especially those of acetic acid were decreased (p<0.05) and those of propionic acid were increased (p<0.05), thus acetic acid:propionic acid was subsequently lowered (p<0.05) in cows fed with long or short forms of urea-treated rice straw. The 2.5% ULRS and 2.5% UCRS had greater microbial protein synthesis and was greatest when cows were fed with 5% ULRS. The urea-treated rice straw fed groups had increased milk yield (p<0.05), while lower feed cost and greater economic return was in the 2.5% ULRS and 2.5% UCRS (p<0.01). From these results, it could be concluded that 2.5% ULRS could replace 5% ULRS used as a roughage source to maintain feed intake, rumen fermentation, efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, milk production and economical return in mid-lactating dairy cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 1989

Forty bull calves of Sahiwal crosses were fed either urea treated or untreated rice straw with 4 levels of Gliricidia (0, 1, 2, and 4 kg fresh material). Dry matter intake (DMI) of straw and Gliricidia was measured during 2 periods. Straw intakes in period 1 and 2 were significantly different (P<0.001). Supplementation of Gliricidia depressed the DMI of straw during the second period (P<0.01), but not in the first period. Urea-ammonia treatment increased straw intake and total intake in both periods, but the increase in dry matter digestibility (DMD) of the ration was not significant (P>0.05). Liveweight gain (LWG) was increased significantly, both by urea ammonia treatment (P<0.01) and by supplementation with Gliricidia (P<0.001). Animals on treated straw gained on an average $137\;g{\cdot}d^{-1}$ more than those on untreated straw.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.195-204
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• 2002

The objective of this study was to examine the impact of three categories of supplements on intake and diet induced difference on degradation of straw substrates. Sixteen crossbred cattle fitted with rumen cannula were randomly divided into 4 equal groups. Animals were fed on wheat straw ad libitum without any supplement except mineral mixture (control; $T_1$) or supplemented with concentrate mixture (CS; $T_2$) or green Lucerne (GLS; $T_3$) or urea-molasses block lick (ULS; $T_4$). Total dry matter intake in $T_2$, $T_3$ and $T_4$ was increased by 70, 54 and 49%, respectively compared to $T_1$ which was only 1.55 kg/100 kg B.Wt. Other than control animals, straw intake was less on $T_3$ than $T_2$ or $T_4$. In Sacco degradation of untreated and urea treated wheat or paddy straw in different treatments indicated that the supplements had a significant (p<0.01) impact on rapidly soluble (A) and insoluble but potentially degradable (B) fractions of straw. Urea treatment increased fraction-A but, provision of supplement improved fraction-B also. Effective degradation (ED) of OM was better on $T_2$. Rate of degradation (C) of OM and CWC was dependent on diet and type of straw but hemicellulose and cellulose were related to latter factor only. ED of cell wall carbohydrates (CWC) was similar in $T_2$ and $T_4$ but higher than $T_3$. CS was more effective in improving the degradation of both untreated and urea treated straw while ULS was effective on the former only. CS had more impact on superior quality straw while contrary was true with ULS. Although GLS improved intake and degradability of untreated and urea treated straws, its bulkiness affected the straw intake compared to other supplements.