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The influence of chemical treatment on the degradation characteristics of weathered maize stover components

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2017

M. Mwiinga
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 237, Reading, RG6 6AR, U.K.
F.L. Mould
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 237, Reading, RG6 6AR, U.K.
E. Owen
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 237, Reading, RG6 6AR, U.K.
E.A. Butler
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture, The University of Reading, Earley Gate, PO Box 237, Reading, RG6 6AR, U.K.
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Extract

Zambian small-holders are dependent on natural grazing to supply the nutrient requirements of their cattle. During the dry season grazing is severely limited, production declines steeply, reproductive cycles become dormant and new-born calves are subject to a high mortality rate. A potential supplemental feed, maize stover, is poorly exploited resulting in extensive field losses. Collection and controlled feeding would greatly increase its efficiency of use, plus such a feed system offers the opportunity to chemically treat the maize stover pre-feeding. This study was conducted to identify the degree to which the nutritive value of this material could be improved using such techniques.

Type
Poster Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2002

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References

Mauricio, R.M., Mould, F.L., Dhanoa, M.S., Owen, E., Channa, K.S. and Theodorou, M.K. 1999. A semi-automated in vitro gas production technique for ruminant feedstuff evaluation. Animal Feed Science and Technology 79: 312330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
MAFF, 1984. Energy allowances and feeding systems for ruminants, ADAS Reference Book 433, HMSO, London.Google Scholar