Review: Crop residues and forages in Western Canada; Potential for feed use either with or without chemical or physical processing

Results of studies in western Canada aimed at developing low cost, minimum processing or optimum processing strategies of utilizing crop residues and forages are reviewed. These studies involved the following components:

• 1.

  (1) Studies were conducted to determine which crop residues and forages have high feed values without expensive processing. Sunflower heads, after seed harvest, and faba bean crop residue, for example, showed feed values (in vitro OMD of 71% and 61% respectively) considerably above values for wheat and barley straw (OMD of 37% and 48%).

• 2.

  (2) With regard to the feed value of common cereal straws, studies determined the influence of differences between cultivars, season and location of growth and fertilizer supply. Significant differences in feed value were observed between cultivars, although season and location effects were at least as large. Nitrogen fertilizer application increased crude protein content and yield, but effects on in vitro digestibility were less predictable.

• 3.

  (3) Analyses of the feed value of chaff, leaf and stem components of a number of wheat cultivars indicated that chaff and leaf components were significantly higher in value than stems. The effect of nitrogen fertilizer rate of application on the feed value of each crop residue component was evaluated.

• 4.

  (4) Ammoniation of wheat chaff and wheat straw significantly improved feed value with chaff having a higher feed value than straw. Weed seeds, such as might be collected with chaff, were shown to have germination ability destroyed by ammonia treatment. Chaff removal for feed use may be more environmentally acceptable than straw removal in semiarid areas.