Using processed rolled straw to fatten cattle in Phong Hien

Straw is one of the main sources of roughage for raising buffaloes and cows, especially in winter. Currently, straw is collected by machine, so the output is very large and convenient for storage for year-round use in agricultural production and livestock farming. However, in the past, people only used rolled straw in its original, raw form to feed buffaloes and cows, so the efficiency was not high.

The characteristics of straw are dry, bulky and low nutritional quality, high silicon content (12-16%) is the main cause of poor digestibility. If fed unprocessed straw, it will limit the ability of livestock to eat. Therefore, to use straw effectively in raising buffaloes and cows, it is necessary to process it in many different ways to increase the ability to eat, increase nutrition and increase the ability of livestock to digest.

In order to improve the efficiency of straw use in livestock farming, in 2023, the Provincial Agricultural Extension Center will build a model of processing rolled straw (mixed with other ingredients) to make fattening feed for cows. The model is deployed at a cattle farm in Phong Hien commune (Phong Dien).

The technology applied to the model is to use a rolling straw grinder and a feed mixer with a capacity of 3.5m3. The ingredients used for mixing include straw, brewer's dregs, cassava dregs, rice bran, molasses, industrial bran, salt... The amount of ingredients for each batch is from 400-500kg, and the time to complete each batch is from 40-45 minutes. The cost of mixed feed after mixing is 2,300 VND/kg.

The processed feed mixture is soft and moist, has a pleasant aroma, and stimulates the cow's appetite compared to unprocessed. The result is a weight gain of 800-900g/day and a profit of 1.5 million/head after 3 months of raising.

Mr. Nguyen Tan Sau, a cattle farmer in Phong Hien commune, shared that processing rolled straw into cattle feed not only provides a source of nutritious food, but also makes the most of the straw in the fields to store food during the rainy season. The model of processing straw into cattle feed of the Agricultural Extension Center is truly beneficial and meaningful for cattle and buffalo farmers.

Mr. Le Van Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, highly appreciated the results achieved by the straw processing model for fattening cattle. The model contributes to the implementation of the agricultural sector's policy in promoting mechanization, applying high technology in agricultural production, organic and circular agricultural production. The rolled straw processing model contributes to the development of intensive buffalo and cattle farming and the development of the total herd in the province.

Using rolled straw as feed for buffaloes and cows will help reduce the burning of straw in the fields, which causes many consequences and waste. In order for the model to be widely replicated and suitable for practice, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recommends and creates conditions for the Agricultural Extension Center and units in the industry to continue to promote, survey, assess needs, and at the same time select and apply straw processing technology suitable for current household-scale livestock farming.

Article and photos: Bao Quang