Wheat Straw Transformed into Nutritious Livestock Feed, Boosting Food Security
Chemically treating wheat straw with solutions containing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) can significantly improve its digestibility and energy availability for livestock. The researchers discovered that using a combination of these chemicals increased the disappearance of dry matter in wheat straw by up to 86%. This treatment also solubilized a good amount of hemicellulose without affecting cellulose much, making it easier for animals to digest. Lambs fed with this treated straw gained weight faster and consumed more efficiently than those on untreated diets. The digestibility of organic matter in the treated straw increased from 51.3% to 65.3%. These findings suggest that chemical treatment can enhance the nutritional value of wheat straw for livestock feeding.