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Ammonia-treated straw in the feeding of dairy cows and growing cattle
Agriculture and Environment, 6 (1981) 267--271 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, Amsterdam - - Printed in The Netherlands
AMMONIA-TREATED GROWING CATTLE
STRAW IN THE FEEDING
267
OF DAIRY COWS AND
HEIKKI RISSANEN*, VAPPU KOSSILA, MIKKO KOMMERI and MARTTI LAMPILA
Agricultural Research Centre, Institute of Animal Husbandry, SF- 31 600 Jokioinen (Finland) *Present address: Marketing Research Institute of Pellervo Society Simonkatu 6, SF 00 100 Helsinki 10 (Finland) (Accepted 18 May 1981)
ABSTRACT Rissanen, H., Kossila, V., Kommeri, M. and Lampila, M., 1981. Ammonia-treated straw in the feeding of dairy cows and growing cattle. Agric. Environm., 6: 267--271. In recent years much attention has been paid in Finland to the improvement of the feeding value of straw by ammonia. In an l l - w e e k trial milk cows were fed untreated barley straw, ammonia-treated straw or hay ad libitum, grass silage at 30 kg per day and barley meal and protein concentrate according to milk yield. The intakes of untreated straw, treated straw and hay were 1.1, 1.4 and 3.4 kg DM per day and milk yields (4%) 16.7, 16.4 and 17.7 kg per day, respectively. In the succeeding trial of 8 weeks the same feeds were used but the amount of silage was decreased to 20 kg per day. The intake of untreated straw DM was 3.5 kg, treated straw 3.1 kg and hay 5.9 kg per day. The milk yields (4%) were 21.6, 20.9 and 21.4 kg, respectively. In a trial with growing cattle the diet included straw, barley meal and protein concentrate. The average daily intakes of untreated and treated barley straw from the age of 101 days to 381 days were 0.9 and 0.9 kg DM and live weight gains 1066 and 1092 g per day, respectively. In another trial from the age of 83 days to 363 days the animals consumed untreated barley straw 1.6 and treated straw 1.7 kg DM per day, and the live weight gains were 893 and 973 g per day, respectively.
INTRODUCTION Since 1976 five feeding experiments with ammonia-treated straw have b e e n c a r r i e d o u t in t h e A g r i c u l t u r a l R e s e a r c h C e n t r e in F i n l a n d , e.g. w i t h : (1) dairy cattle in 1976 (Rissanen and Kossila, 1977); (2) dairy cattle in 1 9 7 7 ( R i s s a n e n a n d K o s s i l a , 1 9 7 8 ) ; ( 3 ) d a i r y c a t t l e in 1 9 7 8 ; ( 4 ) g r o w i n g cattle in 1977--78; (5) growing cattle in 1979--80. In the 2nd and 3rd experiments the same feeds and procedure were used. Here the Experiments 2--5 are presented.
0304-1131/81/0000--0000/$02.50 © 1981 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company
268 MATERIAL AND METHODS Treatment of straw The straw, mainly of spring barley, was harvested in August or September and baled. The bales were stacked and sealed with plastic sheet. Anhydrous ammonia was introduced into the stacks, the aim being to apply 30 kg ammonia per t o n of dry matter. In Experiments 2--4 the sealing and treatment were carried o u t 3 days after baling and stacking, such a delay resulting in some warming up of the bales although the straw was relatively dry. This process was stopped rapidly by the treatment, indicating the effectiveness of ammonia on the microbial processes. In Experiment 5 the moisture content of the straw was relatively high. Since the treatment was carried out immediately, no warming up was noticed and the quality of the straw was excellent. Animals In experiments 2 and 3 eighteen milking Ayrshire cows divided into three equal groups of six animals were used. The animals had reached or passed the peak of lactation at the beginning of the trials. Experimental periods in Experiments 2 and 3 lasted for 11 and 8 weeks, respectively; t h e y were preceded by 4-week and 3-week preliminary periods, respectively, and b y a 1week transition period. In Experiment 4 the growing cattle (Ayrshire bulls) were aged 101 days when the trial started and the trial lasted 280 days. In Experiment 5 the animals (Friesian X Ayrshire bulls, Ayrshire bulls and heifers) were 83 days of age at the beginning and the trial lasted 280 days. Feeds and feeding The feeding of the animals was as shown in Table I. RESULTS The dry matter content of ammonia-treated straw varied quite considerably (Table II). The treatment decreased the crude fibre content of the straw. Crude protein and nitrogen contents were increased b y the treatment. In Experiment 2 the intake of treated straw b y dairy cattle was higher and in Experiment 3 lower than that of untreated (Table III). The intakes of hay were the highest. In Experiment 4 the intakes of untreated and treated straw by growing cattle were equal and in Experiment 5 the intake of treated straw was higher. The ammonia treatment had no positive effect on milk yields (Table IV) and milk yields were higher when hay was used. The results o f growing cattle showed a slight increase in live weight gains with ammoniatreated straw (Table V). The difference was greater in the latter experiment.
269 TABLE I Experiment 2 Group
Roughages
Concentrates
1 2 3
Untreated straw ad lib. NH~-treated straw ad lib. Hay ad lib
Silage 30 kg/day Silage 30 kg/day Silage 30 kg/day
Barley meal and protein concentrate (60% maize, 30% bone and meat meal, 10% brewer's grains) according to milk yield
Experiment 3 Group
Roughages
Concentrates
1 2 3
Untreated straw ad lib. NH~-treated straw ad lib Hay ad lib.
Silage 20 kg/day Silage 20 kg/day Silage 20 kg/day
Same as Experiment 2
Experiment 4 Group
Roughage
Concentrates
1 2
Untreated straw ad lib. NHs-treated straw ad lib.
Barley meal and con/mercial protein concentrate according to Finnish feeding standards aimed to get daily gain of 1000 g
Experiment 5 Group
Roughage
Concentrates and other feeds
1 2
Untreated straw ad lib. NH~-treated straw ad lib.
Barley meal and soya meal, rape meal, urea or ureaphosphate according to feeding standards aimed to get daily gain of 1000 g
TABLE II Chemical composition of untreated and NH~-treated straw
Lactating cows Experiment 2 Untreated straw NHs-treated straw Experiment 3 Untreated straw NHs-treated straw Growing cattle Experiment 4 Untreated straw NHs-treated straw Experiment 5 Untreated straw NH3-treated straw
Total
In DM (%)
DM (%)
Ash
Crude protein
Ether extract
Crude fibre
81.32 69.14
8.92 9.30
8.04 12.07
1.03 0.90
42.55 40.94
84.30 81.05
7.80 8.68
6.67 10.77
0.97 0.88
44.28 42.23
83.31 81.67
7.44 8.24
5.43 10.14
1.66 1.46
43.14 40.78
78.58 51.13
8.37 8.62
7.37 13.19
1.00 1.31
42.40 40.34
270 TABLE III Daily feed intake of the animals (kg DM) Straw/Hay
Lactating cows Experiment 2 Untreated straw NH~-treated straw Hay Experiment 3 Untreated straw NH3-treated straw Hay Growing cattle Experiment 4 Untreated straw NH3-treated straw Experiment 5 Untreated straw NH~-treated straw
Silage
Barley
Protein conc.
Total DM intake
1.1 1.4 3.4
7.6 7.4 7.5
3.8 3.7 3.7
0.8 0.8 0.8
13.3 13.3 15.4
3.5 3.1 5.9
5.2 5.2 5.2
5.2 4.8 4.9
2.0 1.8 1.9
15.9 14.9 17.9
4.0 4.0
0.6 0.6
5.5 5.5
0.9 0.9
n
J
1.6 1.7
3.1 3.2
m
m
4.7 4.9
TABLE IV Milk yield and composition of milk and liver weight change 4% FCM* (kg)
Fat (%)
Protein (%)
Sugar (%)
Live weight change (kg)
Number of cows
Exp.2. Untreated straw NH~-treated straw Hay
16.7 16.4 17.7
5.11 5.02 5.06
3.74 3.61 3.82
4.94 5.18 5.11
--12 --14 --20
6 6 6
Exp. 3. Untreated straw NH3-treated straw Hay
21.6 20.9 21.4
4.33 4.42 4.48
3.38 3.38 3.54
5.00 4.96 4.87
-- 7 --22 +18
6 6 6
*FCM, fat corrected milk
There are many factors affecting the feeding value of ammonia-treated straw: ammonia level, temperature, time of treatment, moisture content, initial quality and type of material (Sundst01 et al., 1978). The effect of moisture content is also evident from these results with growing cattle (Experiment 5) and the earlier results with dairy cattle (Rissanen and Kossfla, 1977).
271 TABLE V Live weight, gains and slaughter carcass of growing cattle Live weight (kg) at the end of trial
Live weight gain (g/day)
Slaughter carcass (kg)
Number of animals
Exp. 4. Untreated straw NH~-treated straw
406 415
1066 1092
195 199
23 21
Exp. 5. Untreated straw NH3-treated straw
341 362
893 973
20 20
REFERENCES Rissanen, H. and Kossila, V., 1977. Untreated and ammonized straw with or without silage for dairy cows. Nord. Jorgbrugsforsk., 59 (3): 477. Rissanen, H. and Kossila, V., 1978. Ammonized straw in the feeding of cattle. Nord. Jordbrugsforsk. 60 (3): 564--565. Sundst~l, F., Coxworth, E. and Mowat, D.N., 1978. Improving the nutritive value of straw and other low-quality roughages by treatment with ammonia. World Anim. Rev., 26: 13--21.
AMMONIA-TREATED GROWING CATTLE
STRAW IN THE FEEDING
267
OF DAIRY COWS AND
HEIKKI RISSANEN*, VAPPU KOSSILA, MIKKO KOMMERI and MARTTI LAMPILA
Agricultural Research Centre, Institute of Animal Husbandry, SF- 31 600 Jokioinen (Finland) *Present address: Marketing Research Institute of Pellervo Society Simonkatu 6, SF 00 100 Helsinki 10 (Finland) (Accepted 18 May 1981)
ABSTRACT Rissanen, H., Kossila, V., Kommeri, M. and Lampila, M., 1981. Ammonia-treated straw in the feeding of dairy cows and growing cattle. Agric. Environm., 6: 267--271. In recent years much attention has been paid in Finland to the improvement of the feeding value of straw by ammonia. In an l l - w e e k trial milk cows were fed untreated barley straw, ammonia-treated straw or hay ad libitum, grass silage at 30 kg per day and barley meal and protein concentrate according to milk yield. The intakes of untreated straw, treated straw and hay were 1.1, 1.4 and 3.4 kg DM per day and milk yields (4%) 16.7, 16.4 and 17.7 kg per day, respectively. In the succeeding trial of 8 weeks the same feeds were used but the amount of silage was decreased to 20 kg per day. The intake of untreated straw DM was 3.5 kg, treated straw 3.1 kg and hay 5.9 kg per day. The milk yields (4%) were 21.6, 20.9 and 21.4 kg, respectively. In a trial with growing cattle the diet included straw, barley meal and protein concentrate. The average daily intakes of untreated and treated barley straw from the age of 101 days to 381 days were 0.9 and 0.9 kg DM and live weight gains 1066 and 1092 g per day, respectively. In another trial from the age of 83 days to 363 days the animals consumed untreated barley straw 1.6 and treated straw 1.7 kg DM per day, and the live weight gains were 893 and 973 g per day, respectively.
INTRODUCTION Since 1976 five feeding experiments with ammonia-treated straw have b e e n c a r r i e d o u t in t h e A g r i c u l t u r a l R e s e a r c h C e n t r e in F i n l a n d , e.g. w i t h : (1) dairy cattle in 1976 (Rissanen and Kossila, 1977); (2) dairy cattle in 1 9 7 7 ( R i s s a n e n a n d K o s s i l a , 1 9 7 8 ) ; ( 3 ) d a i r y c a t t l e in 1 9 7 8 ; ( 4 ) g r o w i n g cattle in 1977--78; (5) growing cattle in 1979--80. In the 2nd and 3rd experiments the same feeds and procedure were used. Here the Experiments 2--5 are presented.
0304-1131/81/0000--0000/$02.50 © 1981 Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company
268 MATERIAL AND METHODS Treatment of straw The straw, mainly of spring barley, was harvested in August or September and baled. The bales were stacked and sealed with plastic sheet. Anhydrous ammonia was introduced into the stacks, the aim being to apply 30 kg ammonia per t o n of dry matter. In Experiments 2--4 the sealing and treatment were carried o u t 3 days after baling and stacking, such a delay resulting in some warming up of the bales although the straw was relatively dry. This process was stopped rapidly by the treatment, indicating the effectiveness of ammonia on the microbial processes. In Experiment 5 the moisture content of the straw was relatively high. Since the treatment was carried out immediately, no warming up was noticed and the quality of the straw was excellent. Animals In experiments 2 and 3 eighteen milking Ayrshire cows divided into three equal groups of six animals were used. The animals had reached or passed the peak of lactation at the beginning of the trials. Experimental periods in Experiments 2 and 3 lasted for 11 and 8 weeks, respectively; t h e y were preceded by 4-week and 3-week preliminary periods, respectively, and b y a 1week transition period. In Experiment 4 the growing cattle (Ayrshire bulls) were aged 101 days when the trial started and the trial lasted 280 days. In Experiment 5 the animals (Friesian X Ayrshire bulls, Ayrshire bulls and heifers) were 83 days of age at the beginning and the trial lasted 280 days. Feeds and feeding The feeding of the animals was as shown in Table I. RESULTS The dry matter content of ammonia-treated straw varied quite considerably (Table II). The treatment decreased the crude fibre content of the straw. Crude protein and nitrogen contents were increased b y the treatment. In Experiment 2 the intake of treated straw b y dairy cattle was higher and in Experiment 3 lower than that of untreated (Table III). The intakes of hay were the highest. In Experiment 4 the intakes of untreated and treated straw by growing cattle were equal and in Experiment 5 the intake of treated straw was higher. The ammonia treatment had no positive effect on milk yields (Table IV) and milk yields were higher when hay was used. The results o f growing cattle showed a slight increase in live weight gains with ammoniatreated straw (Table V). The difference was greater in the latter experiment.
269 TABLE I Experiment 2 Group
Roughages
Concentrates
1 2 3
Untreated straw ad lib. NH~-treated straw ad lib. Hay ad lib
Silage 30 kg/day Silage 30 kg/day Silage 30 kg/day
Barley meal and protein concentrate (60% maize, 30% bone and meat meal, 10% brewer's grains) according to milk yield
Experiment 3 Group
Roughages
Concentrates
1 2 3
Untreated straw ad lib. NH~-treated straw ad lib Hay ad lib.
Silage 20 kg/day Silage 20 kg/day Silage 20 kg/day
Same as Experiment 2
Experiment 4 Group
Roughage
Concentrates
1 2
Untreated straw ad lib. NHs-treated straw ad lib.
Barley meal and con/mercial protein concentrate according to Finnish feeding standards aimed to get daily gain of 1000 g
Experiment 5 Group
Roughage
Concentrates and other feeds
1 2
Untreated straw ad lib. NH~-treated straw ad lib.
Barley meal and soya meal, rape meal, urea or ureaphosphate according to feeding standards aimed to get daily gain of 1000 g
TABLE II Chemical composition of untreated and NH~-treated straw
Lactating cows Experiment 2 Untreated straw NHs-treated straw Experiment 3 Untreated straw NHs-treated straw Growing cattle Experiment 4 Untreated straw NHs-treated straw Experiment 5 Untreated straw NH3-treated straw
Total
In DM (%)
DM (%)
Ash
Crude protein
Ether extract
Crude fibre
81.32 69.14
8.92 9.30
8.04 12.07
1.03 0.90
42.55 40.94
84.30 81.05
7.80 8.68
6.67 10.77
0.97 0.88
44.28 42.23
83.31 81.67
7.44 8.24
5.43 10.14
1.66 1.46
43.14 40.78
78.58 51.13
8.37 8.62
7.37 13.19
1.00 1.31
42.40 40.34
270 TABLE III Daily feed intake of the animals (kg DM) Straw/Hay
Lactating cows Experiment 2 Untreated straw NH~-treated straw Hay Experiment 3 Untreated straw NH3-treated straw Hay Growing cattle Experiment 4 Untreated straw NH3-treated straw Experiment 5 Untreated straw NH~-treated straw
Silage
Barley
Protein conc.
Total DM intake
1.1 1.4 3.4
7.6 7.4 7.5
3.8 3.7 3.7
0.8 0.8 0.8
13.3 13.3 15.4
3.5 3.1 5.9
5.2 5.2 5.2
5.2 4.8 4.9
2.0 1.8 1.9
15.9 14.9 17.9
4.0 4.0
0.6 0.6
5.5 5.5
0.9 0.9
n
J
1.6 1.7
3.1 3.2
m
m
4.7 4.9
TABLE IV Milk yield and composition of milk and liver weight change 4% FCM* (kg)
Fat (%)
Protein (%)
Sugar (%)
Live weight change (kg)
Number of cows
Exp.2. Untreated straw NH~-treated straw Hay
16.7 16.4 17.7
5.11 5.02 5.06
3.74 3.61 3.82
4.94 5.18 5.11
--12 --14 --20
6 6 6
Exp. 3. Untreated straw NH3-treated straw Hay
21.6 20.9 21.4
4.33 4.42 4.48
3.38 3.38 3.54
5.00 4.96 4.87
-- 7 --22 +18
6 6 6
*FCM, fat corrected milk
There are many factors affecting the feeding value of ammonia-treated straw: ammonia level, temperature, time of treatment, moisture content, initial quality and type of material (Sundst01 et al., 1978). The effect of moisture content is also evident from these results with growing cattle (Experiment 5) and the earlier results with dairy cattle (Rissanen and Kossfla, 1977).
271 TABLE V Live weight, gains and slaughter carcass of growing cattle Live weight (kg) at the end of trial
Live weight gain (g/day)
Slaughter carcass (kg)
Number of animals
Exp. 4. Untreated straw NH~-treated straw
406 415
1066 1092
195 199
23 21
Exp. 5. Untreated straw NH3-treated straw
341 362
893 973
20 20
REFERENCES Rissanen, H. and Kossila, V., 1977. Untreated and ammonized straw with or without silage for dairy cows. Nord. Jorgbrugsforsk., 59 (3): 477. Rissanen, H. and Kossila, V., 1978. Ammonized straw in the feeding of cattle. Nord. Jordbrugsforsk. 60 (3): 564--565. Sundst~l, F., Coxworth, E. and Mowat, D.N., 1978. Improving the nutritive value of straw and other low-quality roughages by treatment with ammonia. World Anim. Rev., 26: 13--21.