111
© The Author(s) 2020
M. Gummert et al. (eds.), Sustainable Rice Straw Management,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32373-8_7
Chapter 7
Rice Straw-Based Fodder for Ruminants
Daniel Aquino, Arnel Del Barrio, Nguyen Xuan Trach, Nguyen Thanh Hai,
Duong Nguyen Khang, Nguyen Tat Toan, and Nguyen Van Hung
Abstract Rice straw is a readily available, practical, and cheap source of fodder for
feeding ruminants such as buffaloes, cattle, goats, and sheep. Livestock producers
commonly haul and stack rice straw from their rice farm, which then forms reserved
feed for their animals during lean months or when good-quality roughages are
scarce. The feeding of pure rice straw to ruminants during the stages of fast growth
and early lactation has been shown to affect both body condition score and animal
performance. This is due to lower dry matter intake and protein content (from 4.0%
to 4.7% crude protein) of the straw. The high silica and lignin contents of straw also
contribute to poor nutrient (dry matter and protein) digestibility (<50%). So, pretreatment of straw is necessary to enhance its contribution to improving meat and
milk production. Science- and technology-based farm strategies to optimize the
nutritive and feeding values of rice straw had been developed with significant
improvement on intake, nutrient digestibility, and animal performance. These technologies were also proven effective in contributing additional income to livestock
producers from the sales of milk or live animals. This chapter presents and discusses
current innovations and developed technologies on how the nutritive (nutrient composition and fiber fraction) and feeding values of rice straw can be improved.
D. Aquino (*)
Philippine Carabao Center, Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Muñoz, Philippines
e-mail: oed@pcc.gov.ph
A. D. Barrio
Philippine Carabao Center, National Headquarters, Muñoz, Philippines
e-mail: oed@pcc.gov.ph
N. X. Trach
Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam
e-mail: nxtrach@vnua.edu.vn
N. T. Hai · D. N. Khang · N. T. Toan
Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
e-mail: hai.nguyenthanh@hcmuaf.edu.vn; toan.nguyentat@hcmuaf.edu.vn
N. V. Hung
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
e-mail: hung.nguyen@irri.org
© The Author(s) 2020
M. Gummert et al. (eds.), Sustainable Rice Straw Management,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32373-8_7
Chapter 7
Rice Straw-Based Fodder for Ruminants
Daniel Aquino, Arnel Del Barrio, Nguyen Xuan Trach, Nguyen Thanh Hai,
Duong Nguyen Khang, Nguyen Tat Toan, and Nguyen Van Hung
Abstract Rice straw is a readily available, practical, and cheap source of fodder for
feeding ruminants such as buffaloes, cattle, goats, and sheep. Livestock producers
commonly haul and stack rice straw from their rice farm, which then forms reserved
feed for their animals during lean months or when good-quality roughages are
scarce. The feeding of pure rice straw to ruminants during the stages of fast growth
and early lactation has been shown to affect both body condition score and animal
performance. This is due to lower dry matter intake and protein content (from 4.0%
to 4.7% crude protein) of the straw. The high silica and lignin contents of straw also
contribute to poor nutrient (dry matter and protein) digestibility (<50%). So, pretreatment of straw is necessary to enhance its contribution to improving meat and
milk production. Science- and technology-based farm strategies to optimize the
nutritive and feeding values of rice straw had been developed with significant
improvement on intake, nutrient digestibility, and animal performance. These technologies were also proven effective in contributing additional income to livestock
producers from the sales of milk or live animals. This chapter presents and discusses
current innovations and developed technologies on how the nutritive (nutrient composition and fiber fraction) and feeding values of rice straw can be improved.
D. Aquino (*)
Philippine Carabao Center, Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Muñoz, Philippines
e-mail: oed@pcc.gov.ph
A. D. Barrio
Philippine Carabao Center, National Headquarters, Muñoz, Philippines
e-mail: oed@pcc.gov.ph
N. X. Trach
Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam
e-mail: nxtrach@vnua.edu.vn
N. T. Hai · D. N. Khang · N. T. Toan
Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
e-mail: hai.nguyenthanh@hcmuaf.edu.vn; toan.nguyentat@hcmuaf.edu.vn
N. V. Hung
International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
e-mail: hung.nguyen@irri.org