Pulse straw

Most common pulses are (1) Urad/blackgram (Vigna mungo), (2) Moong/greengram (Vigna radiata), (3) Moth  (Phaseolus aconitifolius),  (4) Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata),  (5) Masoor (Lens culinaris), and (6) Arhar/redgram/pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). After harvesting, seeds of pulses are threshed out of the pods to split to form dals used extensively as a protein adjunct to an otherwise starchy diet of the human population. The husks of the pods with leaves and tender stems are left behind as by-products and can be utilized as fairly nutritious cattle feeds.

Among the above mentioned straws, those of urad, moong and moth are highly palatable and nutritious, straws of arhar and masoor, although of comparable nutritive value, are not as palatable as the other three straws. The energy value of these straws is comparable with those of cereal straws but they are a fairly good source of digestible protein.

Cereal straws like wheat bhoosa and paddy straws contain 3% digestible protein and 40% TDN and can meet the maintenance requirements of adult cattle and buffaloes. Since these by-products (pulse straws) contain from 40-100% more of DCP, they can as well meet the production requirements of the animals to certain extent. Supplementation with energy rich feeds like cereal grains will,  however, be necessary in  the case of  high  milk  producing cattle.