DIGESTIBILITY OF SODIUM HYDROXIDE-TREATED STRAW FED ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH ALFALFA SILAGE

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Abstract
Rations were fed at a constant level of dry matter intake to eight wethers in a double 4 × 4 Latin square design. Cell walls and energy of wet barley straw treated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 100 C were more digestible (P < 0.01) than with alfalfa silage. Mixing treated straw with alfalfa silage resulted in associative effects on digestibility, particularly with the lowest level of straw in the ration. Assuming the digestibility of alfalfa silage to remain constant, treated straw was 11.4 units higher in energy digestibility when fed at a level of 22% compared with 80% of dry matter intake. Increased cellulose digestibility accounted for only part of this improvement. Sheep fed mainly NaOH straw consumed the least nitrogen but had the highest nitrogen retention (P < 0.01). Marked increases in water intake and urine output occurred with sheep fed high levels of treated straw. With all rations, the majority of ingested sodium was excreted in the urine.

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