Chemical Treatment of Crop Residues

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Abstract
The potential for beef production from treated crop residues is impressive. At least 1 kg of residue is produced in the field for each kilogram of grain produced. Therefore, at least 150 million metric tons (MT) of corn residue, 19 million MT of sorghum residue and 40 million MT of wheat residues are produced in the United States each year (USDA, 1974). This total of 200+ million dry MT, if treated so that it had the energy value of corn silage, could produce over 10 billion kg of carcass beef or about 40 kg/person. The problem with crop residues is that the plant at the time of grain harvest is mature so that the residue has a high cell wall content and the cell walls are highly lignified. Residues vary in digestibility but are generally below 50%. Many chemicals have been screened in laboratory experiments for potential to enhance digestibility. Copyright © 1978. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1978 by American Society of Animal Science.

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