Use of paddy straw as animal feed is economical and beneficial – Animal nutrition expert

Ludhiana, October 18, 2024: Stubble burning is of grave concern these days. Punjab produces a large amount of paddy straw every year, which can be used in animal feeding to increase the profitability of dairy farming. Generally paddy straw is used to make animal sheds and bedding but it can be treated with urea and molasses to be used as animal feed. The information was shared by Dr. J S Lamba, Animal nutritionist of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana.

He informed that a farmer can prepare a solution by adding 1 kg of urea and 3 kg of molasses in 30 litres of water. Sprinkle or spray the urea and molasses solution on 1 quintal paddy straw and mix it with trangali or in a Total Mixed Ration machine in such a way that the whole paddy straw layer gets wet with urea molasses solution. It will be ready to feed animals after 15 minutes of mixing. By adding 25 gm salt and 50 gm mineral mixture to paddy straw it can be used in dairy animals @ 2kg per day along with green fodder and concentrate mixture. For dry animals It can be fed @4-5 kg /day along with green fodder.

While describing advantages of paddy straw he said that it enhances the nutritive value of paddy straw as protein content is increased. Treated straw becomes soft and more palatable. Paddy straw is cheaper than wheat straw which reduces the cost of feed. Feeding of urea treated paddy straw increases/improves the growth of young animals and also increases the milk production of milch animals. Environment remains clean, as paddy straw will not be burnt in the field.

He also cautioned farmers to take some precautions. Never feed the urea treated paddy straw to calves of less than 6 months of age. While using urea treated paddy straw in animal feed, take care that the amount of urea in the concentrate ration should not be high. If the treated paddy straw is infected with mould then it should not be used in animal feeding. Horses and pigs should not be given urea treated paddy straw for feeding. For long term use of urea treated paddy straw add mineral mixture in ration as per recommendation.