New treatments unlock hidden nutrients in wheat straw for livestock feed.
The researchers tested different ways to make wheat straw easier for sheep to digest in their stomachs. They treated the straw with urea, liquid ammonia, and urine, and found that these treatments increased the protein content of the straw. The treated straw was easier for the sheep to break down, especially the straw treated with liquid ammonia. The researchers also found that the nutrients in the wheat straw could be better used by the sheep after treatment.