Cereal straw

Paddy and wheat straw are by-products available after harvesting the grains, form the main bulk of roughages in tropical region, including India. They form the staple feed for cattle and buffaloes throughout the region. Though they are poor in nutritive value, containing about

  3% protein and 40-45% TDN, these straws can maintain adult non-producing cattle as a sole feed along with small quantities of protein supplements. However, certain factors like high lignin content, reduced     palatability, dustiness, high oxalic acid content in straw which limits calcium absorption, limit their extensive use as cattle feed.